Seattle Municipal Court

City court in Washington, US

Seattle Municipal Court

King County Courthouse, Seattle

Established| 1891
Jurisdiction| Seattle, Washington
Location| Seattle, Washington
Composition method| Seven elected judges; five appointed magistrates
Authorised by| Constitution of Washington
City of Seattle Charter
Appeals to| King County Superior Court
Website| https://www.seattle.gov/courts
Presiding Judge
Currently| Faye R. Chess
Assistant Presiding Judge
Currently| Andrea Chin

The Seattle Municipal Court is a city court of limited jurisdiction in King County, Washington.[1] It was created in 1891 by the Washington State Legislature.[2] The court handles misdemeanors, gross misdemeanors, civil offenses, and infractions.[1]

## History

[edit]

Seattle Police Court was the precursor to the Municipal Court.[2] Justices were appointed by the city council among King County Justices of the Peace serving in Seattle.[1] The 1890 Freeholders Charter established a police court in Seattle, but the provision was repealed in 1892 after a state law created a municipal court for the city.[2] The Municipal court was created to be a "court of limited jurisdiction" and heard cased involving violations of state laws and city ordinances in city jurisdiction.[2]

The current Municipal Court was created in 1955 and has jurisdiction over violations of all city ordinances and hears misdemeanor cases.[1][2] Municipal justices are elected to their positions.[2]

## Jurisdiction and administration

[edit]

The Seattle Municipal Court serves the City of Seattle.

According to Seattle City Ordinance 3.33.010, "[T]he purpose of the Court is to try violations of City ordinances and all other actions brought to enforce or recover license penalties or forfeitures declared or given by any such ordinances and perform such other duties as may be authorized by law."[3]

The administration of security is handled by the Seattle Municipal Court Marshals, who are both law enforcement and security officers for the Seattle Municipal Court.[4]

## Current judges

[edit]

| Name  | Assumed office  | Current term end  | Law school

|
|
|
|

Judges
Presiding Judge  | Faye R. Chess  | April 2018  | January 2027  | University of Cincinnati
Asst. Presiding Judge  | Andrea Chin  | January 2018  | January 2025  | Loyola Marymount University
Judge  | Willie Gregory  | January 2011  | January 2027  |  Seattle University
Judge  | Damon Shadid  | January 2014  | January 2027  | University of Houston
Judge  | Anita Crawford-Willis  | January 2017  | January 2027  | Seattle University
Judge  | Catherine McDowall  | September 2020  | January 2027  | University of Virginia
Judge  | Pooja Vaddadi | January 2023  | January 2027  | Seattle University
Magistrates
Magistrate  | Mary Lynch  | \-  | \-  | Seattle University
Magistrate  | Robert Chung  | \-  | \-  | Seattle University
Magistrate  | Seth Niesen  | \-  | \-  | Gonzaga University
Magistrate  | Noah Weil  | \-  | \-  | Seattle University
Magistrate  | CURRENTLY VACANT  | \-  | \-  |

## Notes

[edit]

1. ^ a b c d "About - Courts | seattle.gov". www.seattle.gov. Retrieved 2021-05-23.
2. ^ a b c d e f "Seattle Police Court Records, 1886-1956". Archive West. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
3. ^ "Municode Library". library.municode.com. Retrieved 2021-06-07.
4. ^ "Seattle Municipal Court Marshals & Security - Courts | seattle.gov". www.seattle.gov. Retrieved 2021-06-07.

* v
* t
* e

Government of Seattle, Washington

Elected officials|

* Mayor
* City Council
* Municipal Court
* City Attorney

Departments
and Agencies|

* City Light
* Fire Department (SFD)
* Housing Authority
* Municipal Archives
* Parks and Recreation
* Public Health
* Public Library
* Public Schools
* Transportation (SDOT)
* Public Utilities

Boards and Commissions|

* Landmarks Preservation Board
* Women's Commission

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