If you were arrested for DUI in Thurston County or Kitsap County (or the cities nearby, such as Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater, Port Orchard, Bremerton, Poulsbo), the next few weeks are critical. Both counties are dealing with public-defender shortages, new 2026 caseload limits, and major delays in filing misdemeanor cases – so it is critical to consult with a DUI lawyer during the DUI investigation or immediately following the arrest.
DUI in Thurston and nearby cities
DUI in Kitsap and nearby cities
And here’s the part most people don’t realize:
A public defender will NOT Be Assigned until your DUI is officially filed and you appear in court.
Right now, DUIs in Thurston County and Kitsap County may be:
- Delayed months (up to 1 year and 364 days from arrest) while waiting for blood results,
- Delayed because prosecutors temporarily dismiss a case,
- Delayed because the county does not have enough public defenders to assign,
- Re-filed months later — often without warning.
Avoid these mistakes by consulting with a private DUI lawyer today!
The DOL, however, is not delayed.
No matter what the criminal court does on your DUI case, the Department of Licensing (DOL) clock starts immediately after a DUI arrest.
If you were arrested for DUI:
- You typically have 7 days to request your DUI DOL hearing.
- Public defenders cannot help with DUI DOL hearings because they’re administrative.
- If you miss the deadline, your license may be automatically suspended long before your criminal case is filed.
This is how people lose their license before ever having a court date.
We are regularly seeing:
- Kitsap County and Thurston County DUI clients get suspended even though their criminal case hasn’t been filed,
- People waiting for a public defender who never gets assigned because the DUI case isn’t filed yet,
- Drivers assuming the court will notify them of the DUI charge — only to get blindsided,
- Warrants issued when Summons get mailed to the wrong address many months after the original DUI arrest.
And yes — you can get a WARRANT without even knowing you were charged.
This happens far more often than people think.
Because of current delays, prosecutors sometimes:
- Dismiss and later re-file a DUI to wait for blood results,
- Re-file the DUI charge when staffing allows for public defender assignment,
- Mail a summons to an old address or one you’re no longer checking.
If you don’t appear for your DUI Arraignment, the court can issue a warrant, even if you never knew you had a court date.
This is where early help matters.
Witt Law Group lawyers monitor DUI and other misdemeanor cases in Thurston and Kitsap Counties for DUI or other misdemeanor charging.
That means our office tracks:
- When your case is filed
- Whether it’s delayed, dismissed, or re-filed
- Whether a summons is issued
- Whether a warrant is at risk
- What the DUI process really entails
- Where to go for your Chemical Dependency Evaluation to get a fair shake
You won’t miss a court date because the county never reached you — we catch it before it becomes a problem.
Early intervention In A DUI Case can change everything.
Because we get involved right away, we can often:
- Protect your driver’s license,
- Request your DOL hearing on time,
- Contact prosecutors early,
- Begin negotiations before the first hearing,
- And in many cases, have a resolution ready by your arraignment —
meaning one DUI court hearing and done!
Thurston & Kitsap DUI takeaway:
The system is backed up. Public defenders are overwhelmed. Charges are getting delayed. Summonses get missed. Warrants are being issued.
But the DUI deadlines that cost you your license — or your freedom — are still moving.
If you’re facing a DUI in Thurston County or Kitsap County, don’t wait for the system to catch up.
Take action now so you don’t lose your license, miss court, or end up with a warrant you never saw coming.
Kitsap County & Thurston County DUI Arraignment – What To Expect
Give our Kitsap County & Thurston County DUI Attorneys a call 7 days a week. (360) 792-1000
Get help now
Whether you choose to handle your case alone or engage the Witt Law Group, being informed and prepared is essential. Early involvement of an attorney can significantly impact your chances of a fair recovery, allowing you to focus on healing while we handle negotiations with insurance adjusters to secure fair compensation for your injuries.
