Where Is My Friend Held After a Maritime DUI Arrest?

Maritime arrests involve overlapping jurisdictions, which is part of why this is confusing. When Fish and Wildlife, the Coast Guard, and the county sheriff are all present at the same incident, the agency that ultimately books the arrestee depends on who took custody, what the charge is, and where the arrest formally occurred on the water.

In King County, the most likely holding facility for a standard DUI arrest is the King County Correctional Facility in Seattle. Start there. You can search the King County jail roster online at the King County Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention website, or call the facility directly and give them his full legal name and date of birth.

If he does not show up in the King County system, try calling the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife's enforcement division directly and explain that your friend was detained at Sea Fair. They can tell you which agency took custody and where he was transported. The Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound is another contact worth trying if the arrest involved federal maritime jurisdiction, as federal detainees would be processed through a different system entirely.

The King County online roster is the fastest first step. If he is not there within 24 hours of the arrest, the Fish and Wildlife enforcement line is your next call.