Court Operations During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Is court open?
Yes, although we have modified some of our operations. Courthouse locations are here. Be sure to verify the location prior to coming to court as many hearings are offered remotely or in a different location than before.
How will you keep everyone safe?
Please participate by phone or video if encouraged to do so by the judge, or your attorney, and you have the necessary equipment. To make sure you receive instructions from the court, please update your contact information. Email addresses for program staff, judges and their bailiffs are here.
If you do come to court, you will be required to wear a mask or facial covering. The Court will have masks available for use free of charge. You will not be required to wear a mask if:
- You need to keep your mouth and nose clear for medical or mental health reasons;
- You are a child aged two years of less;
- You need your mouth to be visible because you are deaf or hard of hearing or are communicating with someone who is deaf or hard of hearing; or
- A judge permits you to temporarily remove the mask so that you can be heard clearly in the courtroom.
The Court will be enforcing social distancing rules. You may sit or stand only in designated spaces. Do not enter the courthouse if you are sick or in quarantine.
Courthouse personnel are sanitizing surfaces regularly. The Court will have hand sanitizer and disinfecting cleaning supplies available to you in all public areas, including courtrooms and jury spaces.
Can I have an interpreter for court?
It is the court’s responsibility to secure and pay for qualified interpreters for any party or witness in need of this service. Interpreters assist litigants during attorney-client consultations and arraignments, hearings, trials, and other court events. They also interpret for deaf jurors, classes for parents and truant youth, and appointments with court personnel.
Interpreters for court events are scheduled through the Office of Interpreter Services.
How do I view Superior Court documents and case records?
The Clerk’s Office is responsible for maintaining and managing access to the official case records. The records access website is: https://www.kingcounty.gov/courts/clerk/access-records.aspx.
Civil Matters
Self-Represented: Please review: How to get things done in King County Superior Court during COVID-19 when you do not have an Attorney (العربية, 中文, Soomaali, Español, Tiếng Việt).
- Criminal Department calendars for scheduled hearings are posted on the King County Superior Court web page: https://www.kingcounty.gov/courts/superior-court/criminal/criminal-calendars.aspx.
- If you have further questions about your court hearing, please contact your attorney. If you are represented by a Department of Public Defense attorney and do not know how to contact him or her, please email: dpd@kingcounty.gov or phone: 206-296-7662 or toll free at 1-844-935-3534.
King County Courthouse , 516 Third Ave, Seattle, WA 98104
| Calendar | Courtroom | Start Time | Schedule |
|---|---|---|---|
| In custody arraignments |
E-1201 | 9:00 - 11:00 AM | Monday through Thursday |
| Out of custody arraignments |
W-921 | 1:00 - 3:00 PM | Monday through Thursday |
| In custody case setting hearings |
E-1201 |
1:00 - 4:00 PM | Monday through Thursday |
| Out of custody case setting hearings |
W-921 | 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM | Monday through Thursday |
| In custody omnibus hearings |
E-1201 |
8:30 AM - 12:00 PM | Friday |
| Out of custody omnibus hearings |
W-921 | 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM | Friday |
- Plea hearing calendars are posted on the King County Superior Court webpage at https://www.kingcounty.gov/courts/superior-court/criminal/criminal-calendars.aspx
- Sentencing calendars are posted on the King County Superior Court webpage at https://www.kingcounty.gov/courts/superior-court/criminal/criminal-calendars.aspx
Maleng Regional Justice Center , 401 Fourth Avenue North, Kent, WA 98032
| Calendar | Courtroom | Start Time | Schedule |
|---|---|---|---|
| In custody arraignments |
GA | 9:00 - 11:00 AM | Monday through Thursday |
| Out of custody arraignments |
4C GA |
1:00 - 3:00 PM 9:00 - 11:00 AM |
Tuesday Monday and Thursday |
| In and Out of custody case setting hearings |
GA |
1:00 - 4:00 PM | Monday through Thursday |
| In and Out of custody omnibus hearings |
GA | 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM | Friday |
- Plea hearing calendars are posted on the King County Superior Court webpage at https://www.kingcounty.gov/courts/superior-court/criminal/criminal-calendars.aspx
- Sentencing calendars are posted on the King County Superior Court webpage at https://www.kingcounty.gov/courts/superior-court/criminal/criminal-calendars.aspx
The Court is not hearing truancy cases at this time. Check back here.
To schedule or attend an offender hearing being held by phone or video, or if you have questions about scheduling or attending an in-person hearing, contact the bailiff for the judge to whom the case is assigned at least two business days before the hearing. If you or your child have a lawyer, please contact them first, before contacting the Court.
The Court encourages all possible hearings to be conducted remotely. To attend a hearing by phone or video, or if you have questions about attending a hearing in-person, please contact the Resource Center at (206) 263-8634 or email SCResourceCenter@kingcounty.gov.
Screening staff can tell you about the child's detention status and next hearing information: 206-263-9595 (24 hours/7 days a week).
To contact your public defender call: 206-296-7662.
To contact the prosecuting attorney:
- If you live in Seattle or north of I-90, call: 206-296-9480
- If you live south of Seattle and I-90, call: 206-205-7485
The Resource Center is located on the main/2nd floor of the Children and Youth Justice Center.
Resource Center staff can help (1) link youth and families to four major systems: Public Health, Behavioral and Mental Health, Education and Training, and Housing; (2) assist in facilitating community-based service connections; and (3) provide youth and families with the resources they need to help navigate the juvenile justice system.
Please contact the Resource Center at (206) 263-8634 or email SCResourceCenter@kingcounty.gov. Our hours are Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
Dependency calendars are distributed to all professional parties. Your attorney should be in contact with you about your hearing.
If you have further questions about your court hearing, please contact your attorney. If you are represented by a Department of Public Defense attorney and do not know how to contact him or her, please email: dpd@kingcounty.gov or phone: 206-296-7662 or toll free 1-844-935-3534.
If you are unsure if you have an attorney contact the Parent for Parent program at 206-263-3174.
A parent ally can help with the dependency system. These are parents who had a dependency case and were reunified with their children. A parent ally can provide you with information about how a dependency case works, help you with resources, and connect you with the attorney and social worker on the case.
SEATTLE CASES
Clark Children & Family Justice Center, 1211 E. Alder Street, Seattle, WA 98122
| Calendar | Courtroom | Start Time | Schedule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Motions/72 Shelter Care Hearings |
4B | 8:30 AM | Monday through Thursday |
| Permanency Planning Hearings (PPH) |
4B | 1:30 PM | Monday through Thursday |
| Review Hearings |
4B |
On the Pleadings | Monday through Thursday |
| Family Treatment Court Hearings |
4D | 1:30 PM | Thursday |
| Private – Motions/72s/PPH |
4B |
8:30 AM | Friday |
| Pretrial/Fact Finding |
4D | 8:30 AM | Friday |
KENT CASES
Maleng Regional Justice Center, 401 4th Avenue North, Kent, WA 98032
| Calendar | Courtroom | Start Time | Schedule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Legally Free Motions/PPH |
1L | 8:30 AM | Monday |
| Pretrial/Fact Finding |
1L |
1:30 PM | Monday |
| Motions/72 Shelter Care Hearings |
1L |
8:30 AM | Tuesday through Thursday |
| Permanency Planning Hearings (PPH) |
1L |
1:30 PM | Tuesday through Thursday |
| Review Hearings |
1L |
On the Pleadings |
Tuesday through Thursday |
| Family Treatment Court Hearings |
1L |
1:30 PM | Wednesday |
| Private – Motions/72s/PPH |
1L |
8:30 AM | Friday |
To attend a hearing in person or by telephone, contact Margo Burnison (206-263-8574), or send an email to: SCITACOURT@kingcounty.gov.
To reach a patient who is detained under the ITA, contact the detaining hospital. Hospital information should have been provided at the time the person was detained.
If you are the family member of an ITA patient, the Family Advocate is available to provide information, resources and support through the court process. The Family Advocate can be reached at 206-477-8517.
The King County Department of Public Defense (DPD) provides legal services to people committed to a mental health or substance abuse facility against their will. Contact DPD at 206-477-9727 for more information.
By statute, the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office is charged with representing the treatment facility seeking involuntary treatment. To check in for a hearing, talk to a prosecuting attorney, or if you have been issued a subpoena, please call 206-744-7774. You will need to leave a message.
King County Crisis and Commitment Services evaluates people with behavioral health disorders for involuntary detention in psychiatric facilities under the ITA, chapter 71.05, RCW for adults and chapter 71.34, RCW for youth.
Crisis and Commitment staff who perform these duties are referred to as Designated Crisis Responders (DCR’s). DCR’s are mental health professionals specially trained to conduct holistic investigations of risk.
Crisis and commitment services are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
- Call 911 if the situation is life threatening or if it looks like someone may get hurt.
- If there is no immediate physical danger, call Crisis Connections at 206-461-3222, or 1-866-427-4747, or visit www.crisisconnections.org
- To reach the DCR’s direct referral line call 206-263-9200.