Judge Monica J. Benton

Mailing Address: King County Superior Court 516 3rd Ave, Room C-203 Seattle, WA 98104 Mailstop: KCC-SC-0203	Courtroom Number: W-355 Phone: 206-296-9242 Fax: Please contact the court regarding fax transmissions
Judicial Assignment: Criminal	Email: ricki.reese@kingcounty.gov
Department Number: 49	Working Papers: Use mailing address or deliver to King County Courthouse, Room C-203
Bailiff: Ricki Reese ricki.reese@kingcounty.gov 206-296-9242	Clerk:

Visit this webpage BEFORE CONTACTING THE COURT.

Contact with the Court
Due to the high volume of court hearings, you may get a quicker response if you e-mail the bailiff directly. Please be sure to include the case name, cause number and nature of your request. Be as specific as possible in your e-mail.

Delivery of Documents
All documents (i.e., stipulated orders, motions, responsive pleadings, trial documents, etc) MUST be delivered to the judges’ mailroom on the 2nd floor of the King County Courthouse (Room C-203). Please do not enter the courtroom and disturb the proceedings if your intent is to drop off documents of any kind. The bailiff will refuse to accept the document(s), unless arrangements have been made and approved in advance. No exceptions.

Non-Dispositive Motions
Parties must comply with LR 7 when noting motions without argument. Working papers should be addressed to Judge Benton and delivered to the King County Courthouse, Room C-203. If exhibits are attached to pleadings, they must be separated by numbered or lettered tabs or the court will return them.

Dispositive Motions
Parties must contact the bailiff to schedule a motion with oral argument – no exceptions. Dispositive motions are scheduled on Friday mornings. To request a hearing date, please call or e-mail the bailiff and include the case name, cause number and type of hearing requested. Parties should contact the court as soon as possible, as timeslots are limited and get booked quickly.

Requests for Oral Argument (on motions heard without argument)
If you would like to request oral argument on a motion that is generally heard without argument, please write “ORAL ARGUMENT REQUESTED” in red ink in the upper right hand corner of the court’s working papers. Judge Benton will review the motion on the date it is noted. If after reviewing the motion she determines that a decision can be made immediately, an order will be entered. However, if Judge Benton decides oral argument is appropriate, the bailiff will contact the parties and set a hearing date in the future.

Copies of Orders
Copies of orders will not be mailed if pre-addressed stamped envelopes are not provided with the working papers, pursuant to LR7. If envelopes are not submitted, parties can obtain a copy of the order from the Clerk’s Office 5-7 days after it is filed.

Status of Orders
Please do not contact the bailiff regarding the status of a ruling within 48 hours of the day it is noted. If pre-addressed stamped envelopes are submitted with the working papers, copies of the order will be mailed as soon as a ruling is entered.

Settlement / Strike Motion
Please call or e-mail the bailiff immediately if a case settles or a motion needs to be stricken from the court’s calendar.

Trial Preparation
In compliance with LR 16(a)(2), the court will issue a Pre-Trial Order and Order Requiring Completion of Joint Confirmation of Trial Readiness approximately six weeks before trial. Parties must comply fully with the order and follow the due dates contained therein. Please pay close attention to the information regarding the civil trial brokerage process, as Judge Benton is currently assigned to the criminal trial calendar.

Request for Change of Trial Date
Motions or stipulated orders to continue the trial date must comply fully with LR40. Pleadings/orders that do not comply with the local rule will not be considered.