Garbage and recycling pickup will be on its normal schedule on Monday’s Presidents’ Day holiday, and a normal schedule will continue throughout the week. Reminder! Carts need to be at the curb by 6 am on your regular collection day. See more information regarding the City holiday operating schedule.

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Municipal Court

Presiding Judge’s Welcome

Welcome to the City of Spokane Municipal Court website! The Spokane Municipal Court was founded in 2009 on the principles of impartiality, transparency, collaboration, and the protection of liberties guaranteed by the constitutions of Washington and the United States. This Court strives to provide equal access to justice, the fair and timely resolution of all matters, and both structure and opportunity for change through education and research-based practices.

Representing the judicial branch of this municipality, we strive to serve the citizens of Spokane through ease of access to the Court, the opportunity for closure through resolution of charges both criminal and civil, and an invitation for positive change. We exercise jurisdiction over criminal misdemeanors, civil infractions, and Spokane Municipal Code violations that occur in the City of Spokane, including those alleged as domestic violence, impaired driving cases, and property crimes that impact our community’s well-being.

We pursue empathetic accountability through integrity, impartiality, respect, and optimism. Punishment, without addressing the underlying cause of the behavior, cannot effectively reduce recidivism. Our individualized approach to justice incorporates specialty/therapeutic courts and supervision by our Community Justices Services team, employing an expectation of individual responsibility while providing guidance and support, and addressing the underlying reason(s) for improper conduct. Addressing issues such as substance use and mental health concerns does not excuse said conduct but places the focus on preventing future violative acts. This is achieved through partnership and a shared vision between individual defendants, law enforcement, the Spokane City Prosecutor, the Spokane City Public Defender and private defense bar, Community Justice Services, and the Spokane Municipal Court.

Therapeutic courts include Community Court, DUI Court, Veterans’ Enhanced Therapeutic Court, City/County Mental Health Court, and the recently created Domestic Violence Intervention Court. The Spokane Municipal Court has received national recognition for advancing the proven benefits of these courts and our Judges pursue continuing education and personal development to grow and enhance positive outcomes resulting from the implementation of these specialty courts.

We are proud to serve the City of Spokane as its judicial branch. We trust that the information and tools provided herein will further our goal of being the best we can for the citizens of this community. Again, on behalf of all those who collectively represent the Spokane Municipal Court, welcome.

Kristin O’Sullivan
Presiding Judge
Spokane Municipal Court

About Spokane Municipal Court

Spokane Municipal Court is a court of limited jurisdiction with statutory authority to process criminal misdemeanors and civil infractions. Spokane Municipal Court processes approximately 101,000 tickets annually:

7,000 Criminal Misdemeanors
10,000 Civil Infractions
25,000 Photo-Enforcement Infractions
59,000 Civil Parking Infractions

Criminal Misdemeanors

Criminal cases are brought by the City of Spokane against individuals accused of committing a crime. The City bears this burden because a crime is considered an act against all of society. The prosecuting attorney prosecutes the charge against the accused person (defendant) on behalf of the City (plaintiff).

Criminal charges are categorized as either misdemeanors or gross misdemeanors, both of which are punishable by imprisonment and/or a fine. Criminal misdemeanor cases carry a maximum penalty of 90 days in jail and a $1,000 fine. Examples of misdemeanors are:

Disorderly conduct
No valid operator's license
Possession of less than 40 grams of marijuana

Criminal gross misdemeanor cases carry a maximum penalty of 364 days in jail and a $5,000 fine. Examples of gross misdemeanors are:

Theft of property or services valued at up to $750
Driving while under the influence (DUI) of alcohol or drugs
Domestic violence assault

Civil Infractions

Civil Infractions are not crimes. They are violations of law that have a fine or penalty amount but are not punishable by imprisonment. Examples of infractions are:

Speeding
No liability insurance
Expired vehicle license
Defective equipment
All parking violations

Spokane Municipal Court does not process protection or restraining orders, name changes, small claims or civil cases, or junk vehicle abatement removal and impounds under Chapter 10.16 of the Spokane Municipal Code.