Court records in Spokane County, Washington, are maintained by the Clerk of the Superior Court and the District Court. To find public information on court cases, start with SpokaneCourt.us — a resource that helps navigate the county's public court records. Additionally, records are available through local case search on the county's website, official Washington state court portals, and directly at the court clerk's office.
Spokane Court System Overview
Spokane County is served by a three-tiered court system in Washington state. The Superior Court is a court of general jurisdiction handling serious criminal cases, civil claims without monetary limits, and family law. The District Court handles misdemeanors, minor civil disputes, and traffic violations. Municipal courts within the county handle violations of city ordinances.
Spokane County Superior Court is part of a judicial district that encompasses only Spokane County. The courthouse is located in downtown Spokane:
The District Court operates in the same building but has a separate clerk's office. Residents can check which court their case belongs to through the Spokane County Court Viewer.
Courts Serving Spokane
Spokane County Superior Court
Spokane County District Court
Spokane Municipal Court
Spokane Valley Municipal Court
U.S. District Court — Eastern District of Washington
U.S. Bankruptcy Court — Eastern District of Washington
What Types of Cases Spokane Courts Hear
Spokane County courts hear a wide range of cases. Below is a comprehensive list of the main categories:
- Felonies and misdemeanors
- Infractions, including traffic
- Civil claims of any amount and small claims
- Family law: divorce, custody, child support
- Probate, guardianship, conservatorship
- Juvenile matters and child protection cases
- Adoption
- DUI and other driving-related offenses
Each category falls under a specific court depending on jurisdiction, detailed in the following sections.
District Court Cases in Spokane
Spokane County District Court is a court of limited jurisdiction. It handles misdemeanors, gross misdemeanors, civil cases with claims up to $100,000, small claims up to $10,000, as well as traffic violations and DUI. Preliminary hearings in felony cases also start here.
Cases are initiated by the filing of an indictment by the prosecutor or a civil complaint. A judge is automatically assigned through internal distribution. If the District Court finds sufficient grounds for a felony charge, the case is transferred to the Superior Court. Information on criminal records and current cases can be found on the county's website.
Magistrate Court Cases in Spokane
Washington state does not have a separate magistrate court as in some other states. The functions typically performed by a magistrate are handled by the District Court. The District Court conducts:
- Preliminary hearings in felony cases
- Hearings for misdemeanors and infractions
- Civil cases up to $100,000
- Small claims up to $10,000
- Traffic and DUI cases
The jurisdictional limit for small claims in Washington is $10,000 (per RCW 12.40). For standard civil cases, the District Court limit is $100,000 (per RCW 3.66.020). In cases with a heavy workload, individual judges may specialize in certain categories of cases.
Family Law, Probate, and Juvenile Matters in Spokane
Family Law. Divorce, child custody, child support, protective orders, and paternity establishment are all handled by the Superior Court. The Clerk of the Superior Court maintains records on dissolution of marriage and other family matters. Marriage or divorce certificates can also be ordered through the Washington State Department of Health.
Probate Matters. Probate, guardianship, and conservatorship are handled in the Superior Court. The court oversees the distribution of a deceased person's estate, the appointment of guardians for incapacitated individuals, and the management of trusts.
Juvenile Matters. The Juvenile Court operates as a division of the Superior Court. Juvenile cases — both criminal and child protection — are confidential. Access to Juvenile Court records is strictly limited by state law.
How Cases Move Through the Spokane Court System
- Case Initiation. A criminal case begins with the filing of an indictment or complaint by the prosecutor. A civil case starts with the filing of a complaint by the plaintiff. A family or probate case begins with the filing of the appropriate petition.
- Judge Assignment. The court clerk's office automatically assigns the case to a specific judge.
- First Hearing. In criminal cases, this is the arraignment — the formal reading of charges and setting of bail. In civil cases, it is a scheduling conference.
- Pre-Trial Phase. Parties exchange evidence (discovery), file motions. In criminal cases, plea negotiations may occur.
- Trial or Resolution. The case concludes with a trial, plea, settlement, or default judgment.
- Post-Judgment. Sentencing, filing of appeals, enforcement of the court's decision.
Hearing dates can be checked through Find My Court Date on the Washington state courts portal.
Court Administration, Local Rules, and Public Access in Spokane
The administration of Spokane County courts is conducted by the Trial Court Administrator under the direction of the Presiding Judge. Local rules for the Superior Court and District Court are published on the Washington state courts portal and on the county's website.
Public access to court records is governed by the Washington Public Records Act (RCW 42.56) and General Rule 31 of the Washington Supreme Court. Most court records are publicly accessible, except for:
- Juvenile cases
- Sealed or vacated records
- Certain family cases with restricted access
Public records requests can be submitted through the Public Records Office, located at 824 N Adams St, Spokane. The office operates Mon–Fri, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM, phone: (509) 477-1721. Hearings are generally open to the public; some are conducted remotely via video conference — check with the specific court clerk's office.
Information on records exempt from public access and document retention schedules is also available on the county's website.
Court Records and Related Court Resources in Spokane
- Case Search by Name or Number: Search Name/Case/Court Dates allows searching District Court, Superior Court, and Municipal Court records in one interface.
- Statewide Search: Washington State Courts Name and Case Search — the database is updated daily at 3:00 AM.
- Enhanced Document Access: through the Odyssey Portal you can view court documents after registration and authorization through the clerk's office.
- Hearing Calendar: Court Viewer shows the schedule of sessions in all three county courts.
- Obtaining Document Copies: the Clerk's Office issues copies of Superior Court documents in person during business hours.
- District Court Records Requests: forms and instructions are available on the Records Requests page.
- Criminal History Checks: official background checks based on fingerprints are conducted by the Washington State Patrol.
- State Inmate Search: Incarcerated Search by the Washington Department of Corrections publishes data on individuals in custody.
- Warrant Search: Warrant Search allows checking warrants by the Department of Corrections by name or county.
- County Inmate Roster: Inmate Roster shows all individuals held in Spokane County Jail and Geiger Corrections Facility.
- Jail Records: requests for Jail Records are submitted through Detention Services; records on specific inmates are confidential.
- Sex Offender Registry: search is available on the Washington State Patrol site at sheriffalerts.com/cap_office_disclaimer.php?office=54528&state=WA.
- Archival Records: Washington State Digital Archives stores historical court and property records of the county, including property assessment cards up to the year 2000.