Which court handles my Seattle DUI case?
If Seattle Police arrested you, your case goes to Seattle Municipal Court. If Washington State Patrol or King County Sheriff made the arrest, the case is filed in King County District Court's Seattle division.
Where is Seattle Municipal Court located?
The court is in the Seattle Justice Center at 600 Fifth Avenue, at the corner of Fifth and James in downtown Seattle. The entrance features a public plaza.
Where is King County District Court in Seattle?
The Seattle division is on the third floor of the King County Courthouse at 516 Third Avenue.. The building primarily houses Superior Court, so the district court location is easy to miss.
How long until charges are filed after a Seattle DUI arrest?
At Seattle Municipal Court, filing currently takes many months due to a case backlog, unless you were held in custody. King County District Court filings range from one month to a year. In-custody cases in either court are processed within days.
Do I have to appear in person for my Seattle DUI arraignment?
Yes. DUI arraignments are mandatory appearances under Washington law. Your attorney cannot appear on your behalf for this hearing.
Can other hearings be done by video?
At Seattle Municipal Court, most hearings except trials and motions can be conducted by WebEx. At King County District Court, pretrial conferences can be handled by Zoom, but dispositions, motions, and trials require in-person appearance.
What happens if I miss the DOL hearing deadline?
You have seven days from arrest to request a Department of Licensing hearing. Missing this deadline results in automatic license suspension, regardless of what happens in your criminal case. However, the timeline may be different in a blood test case that is not a refusal to take the breath test. It is always wise to consult with an experienced DUI defense attorney immediately after arrest.
Where will my car be towed after a Seattle DUI arrest?
Seattle Police use Lincoln Towing. The vehicle cannot be released to the arrested driver for 12 hours after arrival at the impound lot. Another registered owner who was not in the vehicle may retrieve it sooner.
Is parking available at the Seattle courthouses?
SeaPark Garage serves Seattle Municipal Court. Goat Hill Garage is adjacent to the King County Courthouse. Both are paid parking. There is no free parking in either area.
How do prosecutors handle DUI cases in Seattle?
Seattle Municipal Court cases are prosecuted by the Seattle City Attorney's Office. King County District Court cases are handled by the King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office. The two offices operate independently with different policies and negotiation approaches.
