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    Resources / Washington

    Washington DUI Courts: Where Your Case Is Heard

    Which Washington court hears a first-offense DUI case, what happens at each stage, and the ZIP codes and counties each courthouse covers.

    How Washington DUI courts are organised

    A DUI charge in Washington is prosecuted in the District Court or Municipal Court that serves the county or municipality where the stop happened, not where you live. The clerk's office in that courthouse controls your hearing dates, accepts motions and continuances, and takes payment of fines and court costs. Calendars, filing hours and remote-appearance rules differ from courthouse to courthouse, so confirm them with the clerk before your first date.

    Washington hears misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor DUI in its courts of limited jurisdiction — county district courts and city municipal courts — while felony DUI, such as a fourth offense or vehicular assault or homicide, is tried in Superior Court. Appeals from district or municipal court go to Superior Court, then to the Washington Court of Appeals.

    The state judiciary publishes the authoritative directory of courthouses, judges and calendars at courts.wa.gov. Use it to confirm the address and division for your case number; local listings age quickly.

    Washington judiciary — court directory

    Courthouse locations, hearing calendars, clerk contacts and self-help forms.

    WA driver-licensing agency

    The separate licence action, which the criminal court does not decide.

    What happens at each stage in Washington

    A DUI case in Washington is heard in the District Court or Municipal Court, and it runs on two tracks at once: the criminal case and a separate licence action you must challenge within 7 days of arrest.

    1. 1Arrest, booking and the chemical test — Officers arrest for DUI under RCW 46.61.502 and request a breath, blood or urine test under Washington's implied-consent section, RCW 46.20.308. Refusing carries its own licence penalty, separate from the criminal charge.
    2. 2Licence action — request a hearing within 7 days — A formal hearing to contest the suspension is requested on the department's DUI hearing request form. You have 7 days from arrest to demand the administrative hearing with Washington State Department of Licensing; miss it and the suspension takes effect automatically, whatever happens in court.
    3. 3Arraignment in the District Court or Municipal Court — The charge is read, a plea is entered and conditions of release are set in the District Court or Municipal Court. Washington hears misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor DUI in its courts of limited jurisdiction — county district courts and city municipal courts — while felony DUI, such as a fourth offense or vehicular assault or homicide, is tried in Superior Court.
    4. 4Pretrial motions and discovery — Defence counsel obtains the police report, test records and calibration or maintenance logs, and may move to suppress the stop or the test result. Courts of limited jurisdiction are courts of record for DUI, and their decisions can be appealed to Superior Court.
    5. 5Diversion or treatment disposition — Deferred Prosecution under RCW ch. 10.05 is available for alcohol- and drug-related traffic offenses, DUI included.
    6. 6Plea or trial, then sentencing — A first DUI conviction carries a fine of $990–$5,000, jail exposure up to 364 days, a licence suspension of 3 months, an ignition interlock requirement. Prior offenses within 7 years push the case into the enhanced-penalty range. A first offense requires interlock and an alcohol/drug assessment.
    7. 7Appeal — Courts of limited jurisdiction are courts of record for DUI, and their decisions can be appealed to Superior Court.
    8. 8Reinstatement — An Ignition Interlock Driver License allows restricted driving during suspension or revocation. Washington requires a SR-22 certificate of financial responsibility for 3 years before the licence is restored.

    Filing and case handling in Washington

    • Courts of limited jurisdiction are courts of record for DUI, and their decisions can be appealed to Superior Court.
    • The Administrative Office of the Courts provides statewide case search and filing infrastructure.
    • Deferred Prosecution under RCW ch. 10.05 is available for alcohol- and drug-related traffic offenses, DUI included.
    • Felony DUI under RCW 46.61.502 is filed and tried in Superior Court under county felony procedure.

    Whatever the local practice, take your citation or case number to every call — clerks index by case, not by name — and get the payable amount for fines and court costs in writing before you pay.

    Washington ZIP codes covered

    These Washington ZIP-code pages carry the local court, filing and licensing detail for the area, and each one links back to this resource page.

    Browse all Washington ZIP codes.

    Counties and cities using these Washington resources

    Other Washington official resources

    Washington Driver Licensing After a DUI: Hearings, Reinstatement & SR-22Washington DUI Statutes: The Code Sections That Control Your Case

    Frequently asked questions

    Which court handles a first DUI charge in Washington?
    First-offense DUI cases in Washington are heard in the District Court or Municipal Court for the county where the stop happened. The court clerk's office there sets the arraignment date and accepts filings.
    Does the court case decide whether I keep my licence in Washington?
    No. The criminal case and the administrative licence action run separately. The licence action is handled by the WA driver-licensing agency, and the request for a hearing is due within 7 days of arrest.