Record Group 305
JUSTICE COURT

ADMINISTRATIVE HISTORY

King County was created in 1852, as the third judicial district of Oregon Territory. The Organic Act of 1853 split Washington and Oregon into separate territories, and made specific provisions for a territorial judicial system which consisted of a supreme court, district courts, probate courts and the courts of the justices of the peace (justice courts). The Federal Government appointed the supreme court judges and made the provision that the territorial legislature was free to choose the other justices in whatever manner it might select. The Justice Courts had limited jurisdiction: that is, they heard petty criminal cases and civil cases in which the amount at issue was less than $100. However, they did not have jurisdiction over any cases concerning land. In 1889, the Enabling Act allowed the people of Washington to form a constitution and state government. At this time the Territorial Court system was replaced by the State judicial system. The Washington State Justice Court Act of 1961 combined the name and activities of the Justice Court with the District Court. In 1962, King County adopted this change (Resolution 24130).

SERIES DESCRIPTION

305-367 Criminal Index, Seattle district, 1926-1963
Indexes kept by judge. Contains name, charge, docket number and date. In some volumes the charge is not listed. Inside front cover of certain volumes contain listings of bond amounts for certain crimes.

Volume: 18 volumes

305-366 Liquor search docket, Seattle district, 1938-1942
Warrants issued by Judge Guy B. Knott to search for liquor on commercial premises. Record information includes name of defendant (often "John Doe"), address of premises or description of their location when no address is available, and name of person filing charges. Information relating to the scope and extent of search may also be present. Many sites searched were in the Pioneer Square or Jackson Street area of Seattle.

Volume: 1 cu ft