The Seattle Municipal Court is a city court of limited jurisdiction within King County, Washington. It was created in 1891 by the Washington State Legislature. The court handles misdemeanors, gross misdemeanors, civil offenses, and infractions.
History Seattle Police Court was the precursor to the Municipal Court. Justices were appointed by the city council among King County Justices of the Peace serving in Seattle. The 1890 Freeholders Charter established a police court in Seattle, but the provision was repealed in 1892 after a state law created a municipal court for the city. 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.
The current Municipal Court was created in 1955 and has jurisdiction over violations of all city ordinances and hears misdemeanor cases. Municipal justices are elected to their positions.
Jurisdiction and administration 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."
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.
Current judges +NameAssumed officeCurrent term endLaw schoolJudgesPresiding JudgeAnita Crawford-WillisJanuary 2017January 2027Seattle UniversityAssistant Presiding JudgeDamon ShadidJanuary 2014January 2027University of HoustonJudgeFaye R. ChessApril 2018January 2027University of CincinnatiAndrea ChinJanuary 2018January 2027Loyola Marymount UniversityWillie GregoryJanuary 2011January 2027 Seattle UniversityCatherine McDowallSeptember 2020January 2027University of VirginiaPooja VaddadiJanuary 2023January 2027Seattle UniversityMagistratesMagistrateMary Lynch - -Seattle UniversityRobert Chung - -Seattle UniversitySeth Niesen - -Gonzaga UniversityNoah Weil - -Seattle UniversityLisa Mansfield - -University of Washington
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