In the interest of public health and safety during the COVID-19 crisis, Seattle Municipal Court is significantly limiting court operations until at least April 12, 2020 under General Administrative Order 2020-04.
“This decision to limit court operations was extremely difficult and reflects the unprecedented circumstances we are all facing with the local COVID-19 outbreak. I made this decision in the interest of the health and safety of staff, attorneys, jurors, court participants and the public,” said Acting Presiding Judge Willie Gregory. “Our court is striving to adhere to the latest public health guidance to stop the spread of disease while we meet our constitutional obligations to preserve individual liberties and resolve alleged violations of the law in a fair, independent and impartial manner.”
Effective Monday, March 16, 2020 to April 12, 2020, Seattle Municipal Court operations will be limited as detailed below:
- All non-mandatory hearings for out-of-custody individuals will be continued to the next available court date no sooner than April 13, 2020. All case participants will receive written notice of their next court date.
- In-custody cases and mandatory appearances will be held on consolidated calendars. Case calendars are posted on our website via our Case Information Portal.
- Urgent matters relating to the impound of a motor vehicle may be scheduled by written request to the court.
- Jury trials are suspended through at least April 13, 2020. Jurors do not need to report and will be rescheduled to a later date.
- Ticket due dates are being extended during this time period.
- All appearances for mitigation or contested hearings scheduled in courtroom 201 will be set for adjudication by mail until further notice.
- All contested ticket hearings in courtrooms 301 and 302 are postponed until at least April 13, 2020.
- Seattle Youth Traffic Court scheduled for April 6, 2020 is canceled. Cases will be rescheduled to May and June.
- The transaction fee for online payments will be waived during this time. Payments can be made online, by phone (with a convenience fee) or by mail.
- Most Probation appointments will be held by phone unless directed to appear in person.
- Most Day Reporting clients will report by phone unless directed to appear in person.
- No weddings will be held at Seattle Municipal Court.
- The Community Resource Center will be closed.
As the court continues to evaluate the impacts of the COVID-19 public health crisis, we may further modify or extend these modifications to court operations.
For a full summary of Seattle Municipal Court operational impacts related to COVID-19 and information on how to contact the court, please read our Q&A.