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Information about King County District Court

Information about King County District Court

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Read the King County District Court 2022 Annual Report

King County District Court is one of the busiest courts in Washington state, and is a leader in many areas involving public safety and access to justice:

The court has:

  • The greatest number of problem solving courts within a court of limited jurisdiction in Washington
     
  • Established judge-supervised probation for the purposes of public safety and reduced recidivism
     
  • Access to and uses a variety of highly successful jail alternative programs

  • Improved access to justice by having its multiple facilities linked together as one court through governance and technology. A court user can pay a ticket, clear a warrant, access court files, find out about their case, file legal papers, or research a case at any location

The District Court of King County is part of the judicial branch of King County government and is funded primarily through the King County current expense (CX) fund. The District Court generates revenues from filing fees, probation fees, passport fees, imposition of fines and costs, and city contracts for court services.

The cities that contract for District Court services (as of January 1, 2022) are: Algona, Auburn, Beaux Arts, Bellevue, Burien, Carnation, Covington, Kenmore, Pacific, Redmond, Sammamish, Shoreline and Skykomish.

As a court of limited jurisdiction, the District Court is responsible for the following types of matters:

  • Civil litigation matters up to $100,000 per claimant
  • Small claims matters up to $10,000
  • Nuisance violations
  • False alarm hearings
  • Vehicle tow and impound hearings
  • Anti-harassment orders
  • Domestic violence protection orders
  • Name changes
  • Infractions (traffic, non-traffic and parking)
  • Misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor criminal cases
  • Felony expedited cases
  • Felony preliminary hearings
  • Search warrants
  • Garnishments and other supplemental proceedings
  • Lien foreclosure and forfeiture hearings

The District Court currently holds court and provides public access at 10 facilities located throughout King County:  Auburn, Bellevue, Burien, Issaquah, King County Courthouse (Seattle), King County Jail (Seattle-jail calendars only), Redmond, Maleng Regional Justice Center (Kent), Shoreline and Vashon Island (one day per month).

 

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