Welcome to
SPOKANE COUNTY
DISTRICT COURT
Proudly serving Spokane County and the cities of
Spokane Valley and Liberty Lake.
Due to recent budget reductions, the hours for the Spokane County District Court clerks' office are 8:30 am to 4:00 pm, Monday-Friday. These hours apply to the main District Court office located in the Public Safety Building.
For the convenience of our customers, a payment drop-box is now located in the lobby of the Public Safety Building directly across from window No. 1.
The District Court Civil Department, located in the Broadway Center Building, is open from 8:30 am to 11:30 am and from 12:30 pm to 4 pm, Monday-Friday.
Spokane Valley District Court--located at 12710 E Sprague--is open from 8:00 am to 5 pm, Monday - Friday.
Phone (509.477.4770) hours are 8:30 am to 10:30 and 1 pm to 3 pm, Monday-Friday.
Mission Statement
The mission of Spokane County District Court is to serve our citizens through the prompt, courteous, and fair dispensation of justice by adjudicating cases in a timely manner using effective, efficient case management techniques, adhering to the highest standards, monitoring enforcement of judgments and being responsible stewards of public funds.
The Spokane County District Court is a court of limited jurisdiction. Between 80 to 90,000 cases are filed annually with Spokane County District Court.
Spokane County District Court processes the following case types:
Traffic and Non-Traffic Infractions
A violation of law not punishable by imprisonment. Speeding, fail to yield, no insurance, expired vehicle license, defective equipment, and parking in a disabled parking zone are examples of infractions.
Criminal and Criminal-Traffic Misdemeanors and Gross Misdemeanors
Criminal misdemeanor cases carry a maximum penalty of up to 90 days in jail and a $1,000 fine. Criminal gross misdemeanor cases carry a maximum penalty of up to 1 year in jail and a $5,000 fine. Some examples of criminal cases heard by the court are:
- Driving under the Influence (DUI).
- Domestic Violence Assault.
- Driving While License Suspended
Civil Cases
- General civil actions with damage claims in the maximum amount of $75,000. The court does not hear cases involving title to or possession of real property
- Small claims actions with monetary claims in the maximum amount of $5,000. The small claims court may ONLY grant judgment for monetary damages. The court may not order the other party to return property or perform any action other than the payment of money.
Mental Health Therapeutic Court Proceedings
The Mental Health Therapeutic Court (MHTC) represents an effort to increase effective cooperation between two systems that have traditionally not worked closely together - the mental health treatment system and the criminal justice system.
Civil Protection Orders
- Anti-Harassment Protection Order Petitions
- Domestic Violence Protection Order Petitions
- Domestic Violence Protection Order Petitions
Location & Hours
Times for filing a Petition for Protection: Monday – Friday 9 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Location for filing a Petition for Protection:
Spokane County District Court Civil Division
Broadway Centre Building, Courtroom 203
721 N. Jefferson, 2nd floor
Spokane, WA 99210
(Corner of Broadway & Jefferson across from County Courthouse)
Civil Protection Order Clerk contact information:
E-mail: JGerke@spokanecounty.org (e-mail is checked more frequently than voicemail) Telephone: 509.477. 2953 (Please do not leave urgent messages here as this line is not attended during court hours)
Miscellaneous Proceedings
Child Care may be provided by Spokane County during court appearances.