Frequently Asked Questions

I want to get married, does Municipal Court handle weddings?

Marriage ceremonies are performed by Judges of Spokane Municipal Court. These ceremonies are performed outside of court business hours. Please contact the judicial secretary at 509.622.5867 for more information or to schedule an appointment. If you want information about obtaining a marriage license, contact the Spokane County Auditor.

I received a ticket, what should I do?

Review the response options provided on your copy of the ticket. Choose an appropriate response and return it to the Court in a timely manner to avoid any adverse action. See Responding to Ticket for more detailed information or contact the Clerk's Office with questions.

I didn't respond to my ticket in time, now what?

  • Infraction (Not Parking or Photo Enforcement): You have forfeited your right to a hearing and the penalty is due including a $52 late fee. You may contact the Clerk's Office for payment options.
  • Parking Infraction: You have forfeited your right to a hearing and the penalty is due including a $25 late fee. You may contact the Clerk's Office for payment options.
  • Photo Enforcement Infraction: You have forfeited your right to a hearing and the penalty is due including a $25 late fee. Contact American Traffic Solutions for the final payment date.
  • Misdemeanor (Criminal): Contact the Clerk's Office to inquire if a warrant has been issued. See Resolving Warrants for information on resolving a warrant.

When is my court hearing?

Contact the Clerk's Office directly for the most accurate hearing information. Please have your case number available. Details regarding your case are available from JustWare Spokane system, and limited information may also be available from the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC). Because this information is not maintained locally, we cannot guarantee its accuracy.

What should I wear and how should I act in court?

Court is a formal process and should be respected as such. You are encouraged to dress your best – clean and neat – and to be on your best behavior. You should not bring drinks or food to court nor chew gum. You must not wear hats once you are in the courtroom. You should show respect to the judicial officers by standing up when they enter and leave the courtroom. You should sit quietly during the proceedings and not speak unless requested to by the court. Any conversations with attorneys or other should be done outside the courtroom or when the judge is not on the bench.

How can I reschedule my hearing?

I missed my hearing, what is going to happen now?

Do I have a warrant? What can I do now?

Contact the Clerk's Office for information on the status of a case. See Warrants for information on resolving warrants and scheduling a new hearing.

What was the outcome of a hearing?

You may call or visit the Clerk's Office for information resulting from a hearing or check the JustWare Spokane system.

How much do I owe?

Call the Clerk's Office for specific information about your account(s).

Can my penalty be reduced?

Yes, if you've responded on time and the violation is eligible for reduction (some violations such as Speeding in a School Zone cannot be reduced per state law). Submit your copy of the ticket with the mitigation option selected to request a reduction from a judicial officer. Notice of the mitigation hearing will be mailed to you at the address you provide on the ticket. Prior offenses and the status of your driver's license may also be considered at the time of your hearing.

What if I can't pay my penalty all at once?

Depending on the status of your case, payment plan options may be available. Contact the Clerk's Office for information.

Can I pay by credit card?

I can't make my payment or have missed one, what should I do?

If your payments were assigned to PAR Acceptance Corporation, contact PAR at 509.232.7880 or https://parpayonline.com.

If your payments were assigned to the Court or Photo Enforcement payment plan, you may contact the Clerk's Office for a 30 day extension.

If your payment plan was cancelled for a missed payment, contact the Clerk's Office or PAR for payment plan reinstatement options.

I received notice that my fines will be sent to collection, what can I do?

If you received a pre-collection notice, you may still have the option of making payment to the Court to prevent collection activity. Contact the Clerk's Office for more information.

If your account has been assigned for collection, you must contact Valley Empire Collection Agency directly at 509.928.4611 or 800.669.8139 to make payment.

If your driver's license was suspended as a result of non-payment of these fines, the Court requires proof of payment in full from the collection agency before notifying the Department of Licensing.

Why is the Department of Licensing suspending my driver's license?

Contact the Department of Licensing if you have questions about the status of your driver's license. If your license will be suspended for failure to appear or pay fines for tickets with our court, you must resolve the issue before we can notify the Department of Licensing. If an account has been assigned for collection, you must pay the collection agency directly and show proof of payment to the court. Please contact the Clerk's Office for specific information about your case

How can I get into the relicensing program?

Contact the Relicensing Program at the City Prosecutor's Office.

909 W Mallon
Spokane, WA 99201
509.835.5936

View more information about the Relicensing Program.

There is a hold on my vehicle license, what can I do?

According to state law, a citizen may not renew his/her vehicle tabs if there are unpaid parking tickets associated with that vehicle RCW 46.16A.120. If a hold has been placed on your tabs due to unpaid tickets with our court, you must pay the fines in full before we can notify the Department of Licensing. If an account has been assigned for collection, you must pay the collection agency directly and show proof of payment to the Court. Please contact the Clerk's Office for specific information on your case.

How much is my bond?

Contact the Clerk's Office for bond amount information.

My bond has been forfeited, can I get it back?

No, unless a judge has ordered it be returned to you.

How can I find out if someone is in jail?

View the Spokane County Inmate Roster on the Sheriff's website. If you have questions about the information, please contact the Spokane County Jail for assistance.

How do I get someone out of jail?

In most cases prior to sentencing, you can post a bond to get someone out of jail. Contact the Clerk's Office for the amount of a bond and see Posting Bonds for more information.

How can I request a no contact order be dropped?

Only the defendant or the victim in a domestic violence case may file a motion to have a No Contact Order rescinded. You must appear at the Municipal Court Clerk's Office to fill out a motion form and receive a hearing date. The order will remain in effect until it is rescinded by a judge.

How can I get a restraining order?

Spokane Municipal Court does not issue restraining orders. Contact your attorney or District or Superior Courts if you need assistance filing a restraining order.

I am a victim of domestic violence, how do I contact an advocate?

See victim/witness information on the City Prosecutor website.

How do I file an appeal?

Appeal information packets and forms are available in the Forms section of our website and at the Clerk's Office. You may want to review the Washington State rules for appeal of decisions of courts of limited jurisdiction prior to filing an appeal.

What can I do if I believe I'm a victim of identity theft?

Contact the City Prosecutor:

909 W Mallon
Spokane, WA 99201
509.835.5988

How can I have a conviction vacated?

Not all convictions are eligible to be vacated. For more information, contact an attorney or view the Administrative Office of the Court's guide to sealing and destroying records, vacating convictions and deleting criminal history records.

I received a juror summons, what now?

Contact the Jury Coordinator with questions about jury duty. You can also view jury duty information on the Superior Court's website.

How do I apply for a Public Defender?

You may qualify to be represented by the City Public Defender's Office in a criminal (misdemeanor) matter. To apply for public defense, submit your application at the City Probation Office on the 2nd floor of the Public Safety Building located at 1100 West Mallon Avenue, Spokane, WA 99260. You will be asked to provide information about your finances to determine your eligibility for public defense. If eligible, you will be given instructions for scheduling an appointment with a City Public Defender.

City Probation: 509.622.5800
City Public Defender: 509.835.5955

My car was towed, now what?

May I have a lawyer at my contested infraction hearing?

You have a right to legal representation at all court hearings; however, you may only seek public defense services for misdemeanor charges, which are punishable by jail time.

What happens if I can't appear on the court date?

Depending on the charge(s) and type of hearing scheduled, you may be able to have it continued. See Reschedule a Hearing for more information or call the Clerk's Office for assistance.

Will a traffic infraction appear on my driving record?

Yes, if found committed of a traffic infraction, the charge will appear on your driving record. Traffic infractions fall into two categories: moving and non-moving violations. Each may affect your driving record and/or insurance differently. Contact the Department of Licensing for information on your driving record.

Why is my license suspended?

Contact the Department of Licensing if you have questions about the status of your driver's license. If your license has been suspended for failure to appear or pay fines for tickets with our court, you must resolve the issue before we can notify the Department of Licensing. If an account has been assigned for collection, you must pay the collection agency directly and show proof of payment to the Court. Please contact the Clerk's Office for specific information about your case.

How do I get an attorney?

Please consult your local business listings if you plan to hire private counsel. If you wish to seek the services of the City Public Defender, see Applying for a Public Defender.


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Contact Information

Municipal Court Clerk's Office
1100 W Mallon Ave
Spokane, WA 99260
509.625.4400
mcadmin@spokanecity.org

Audio Recordings

Most of the hearings held in Spokane Municipal Court are digitally recorded. To access the audio recording for a specific hearing:

  • Click on the Search Recordings link below.
  • Click on the filter icon
  • Under "Filter By Agency:" you must search City of Spokane, WA Municipal Court
  • Clink on the docket and the recording will begin playing.

Related Links

Bench Copies

To serve bench copies to a Judicial Officer please email:
Jeanine Sword
Judicial Administrative Assistant
jsword@spokanecity.org

Please ensure compliance with SPMCrRLJ 8.2(d).