Section 131: Ratification of Establishment

The establishment of the Spokane Municipal Court under the provisions of Section 5A.01.010 of the Spokane Municipal Code and Chapter 3.50 of the Revised Code of Washington is hereby ratified.

Section 132: Jurisdiction

  1. Pursuant to RCW 3.50.020, the municipal court shall have exclusive original jurisdiction over traffic, parking, and other civil infractions arising under City ordinances; exclusive original criminal jurisdiction of all violations of City ordinances duly adopted by the City; and shall have original jurisdiction of all other actions brought to enforce or recover license penalties or forfeitures declared or given by such ordinances or by state statutes. The municipal court shall also have the jurisdiction as conferred by statute.
  2. The municipal court is empowered to forfeit cash bail or bail bonds and issue execution thereon, and in general to hear and determine all causes, civil or criminal, including traffic infractions, arising under City ordinances and to pronounce judgment in accordance therewith. So long as it participates in the program established by the administrative office of the courts pursuant to RCW 2.56.160, the municipal court shall have jurisdiction to take recognizance, approve bail, and arraign defendants held within its jurisdiction on warrants issued by any court of limited jurisdiction participating in the program.

Effective Date: August 18, 2015
Ordinance C35254 Section 5