Schwab Law defends criminal and DUI charges in Olympia through the firm’s Western Division. Olympia does not operate its own municipal court: misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor cases are heard in Thurston County District Court. Felonies are filed in Thurston County Superior Court on Lakeridge Drive SW.
How we help Olympia clients
The absence of an Olympia municipal court catches people out, because most advice written for Washington cities assumes there is one. Lacey, Tumwater, Bucoda, Rainier and Tenino are in the same position — all of them routed to Thurston County District Court — so a case from anywhere in the urban core lands on the same county calendar.
Which court hears an Olympia misdemeanor?
Thurston County District Court. The City of Olympia does not run a municipal court, so city charges are heard at the county level. The same is true for Lacey, Tumwater and several smaller Thurston County communities. Yelm is the exception in the county, operating its own municipal court.
Felony charges are filed by the Thurston County Prosecuting Attorney in Thurston County Superior Court at 2000 Lakeridge Drive SW. That is where a felony DUI, a felony assault, or a serious drug charge from anywhere in the county will be heard.
What criminal charges does Schwab Law defend in Olympia?
- DUI and physical control, including the license case with the DOL
- Driving while license suspended or revoked
- Domestic violence allegations and no-contact orders
- Assault, from fourth degree through felony charges
- Theft, shoplifting and property crimes
- Drug possession and distribution charges
- Protection order petitions and responses
Does a state job change how a charge should be handled?
It can. Olympia has a large public-sector workforce, and some positions carry their own reporting obligations, background requirements or licensing conditions that are triggered by a charge rather than a conviction. Those obligations sit outside the criminal case but are often what a client is most worried about.
They also affect strategy. Where an employment or licensing consequence attaches to a particular charge, negotiating to a different charge can matter more than negotiating the sentence — and that has to be worked out before any plea is entered.
Questions from Olympia clients
Is there an Olympia Municipal Court?
No. Olympia does not operate a municipal court. Misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor cases from Olympia are heard in Thurston County District Court, and felonies in Thurston County Superior Court.
Where is Thurston County Superior Court?
At 2000 Lakeridge Drive SW in Olympia. It hears felony matters from across Thurston County.
