Seattle Municipal Court

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.[2]

Seattle Municipal Court
Established1891
JurisdictionSeattle, Washington
LocationSeattle, Washington
Composition methodSeven elected judges; five appointed magistrates
Authorized byConstitution of Washington
City of Seattle Charter
Appeals toKing County Superior Court
Websitehttps://www.seattle.gov/courts
Presiding Judge
CurrentlyFaye R. Chess
Assistant Presiding Judge
CurrentlyAndrea Chin

Jurisdiction and administration

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The Seattle Municipal Court serves the City of Seattle.[1]

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

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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

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  1. ^ a b "Seattle Municipal Court, Washington". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2021-05-23.
  2. ^ a b "About - Courts | seattle.gov". www.seattle.gov. Retrieved 2021-05-23.
  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.