Ferry County District Court Local Rules

Ferry County District Court — Local Court Rules

sha256 936e84b9407b22fe519d24dc3b924724… · retrieved 7/17/2026, 2:27:08 PM · courts.wa.gov local-rules publication — the court's own book; GR 7(d): the clerk maintains the official set, the web copy is the judiciary's convenience publication · awaiting human verification flip (text is verbatim; the flip is the review gate)

Ferry County District Court Local Rules - 1
Ferry County District Court
Local Rules
Table of Rules
Local Administrative Rules
LARLJ 2 	Scope of Rules and Adoption
LARLJ 2.1 	Decorum
LARLJ 5 	Court Administrator
LARLJ 6 	Appearance by Telephone
LARLJ 7 	Security of Courtrooms and Related Areas
Local General Rules
LGRLJ 1 	Electronic Filing and Service
Local Civil Rules
LCRLJ 55 	Default
Local Criminal Rules
LCrRLJ 2.5 	Procedure on Failure to Obey Citation and Notice to Appear
LCrRLJ 4.5 	Pre-Trial Conference
LCrRLJ 6.1 	Jury Trial Readiness Hearing
LCrRLJ 6.15 	Jury Instructions
LCrRLJ 7.6 	Probation Monitoring Fees
LCrRLJ 8.2(f) 	No Contact Orders
LCrRLJ 38 	Criminal Jury Trial
Local Infraction Rules
LIRLJ 2.6 	Scheduling of Hearings
LIRLJ 3.2 	Motion for Vacation of Default Judgement for FTA
LIRLJ 3.5 	Decision on Written or Email Statements
LIRLJ 3.7 	Deferred Findings
LIRLJ 6.6 	Speed Measuring Device Certification; Request for Speed Measuring Device
Expert; Remote Testimony

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Ferry County District Court Local Rules - 2
LARLJ 2 – SCOPE OF RULES AND ADOPTION
(a) Effect of Local Rules. These rules shall be known as the Local Rules for the District Court of the
State of Washington for Ferry County. These rules will be effective September 1, 2025. These rules
conform with, to the extent possible, the numbering system and format of the rules adopted by the
Supreme Court of the State of Washington for Courts of Limited Jurisdiction.
(b) Scope of Rules – CRLJ to Take Precedence. The provisions of these local rules are supplemental to
the rules adopted by the Supreme Court of the State of Washington for Courts of Limited Jurisdiction,
and shall not be construed in conflict with them.
(c) Adoption and Amendments. These rules are adopted and may be amended from time to time in
accordance with GR 7, CRLJ 83, CrRLJ 1.7 and IRLJ 1.3 of the Washington Court Rules. The court
may modify or suspend any of these local rules in any given case upon good cause shown or upon the
court’s own motion.
[Adopted effective September 1, 2011. Amended September 1, 2025.]
LARLJ 2.1 – DECORUM
(a) All attorneys and other individuals in the courtroom shall abide by the following rules of conduct:
(1) Always be prompt. Be in the courtroom ready to proceed ant the appointed time.
(2) Stand when the Judge or jury enters or leaves the courtroom.
(3) Do not make personal attacks on opposing counsel or parties.
(4) Do not interrupt when another party or the Judge is speaking. This allows the court to create an
accurate record of proceedings.
(5) Address all remarks to the Judge. Argument between litigants or their attorneys are not permitted.
(6) After the Judge has ruled, ask the Judge’s permission before arguing further.
(b) Speak clearly into microphone to ensure that your statements are accurately recorded.
(c) Dress appropriately for the serious nature of the matters before the Court. Dirty, ripped, or
excessively revealing clothing is not appropriate. Clothing bearing images or words that reference
offensive language, illegal acts, or controlled substances are not appropriate. Head coverings (except
those worn for religious reasons) and sunglasses are not allowed in the courtroom.
(d) No food or beverage of any kind is allowed in the courtroom.
(e) Do not approach a witness, the jury, or the Judge without asking permission of the Judge.
(f) All electronic devices shall be silenced or turned off. Repeated interruption of court proceedings by
an electronic device may result in a finding of contempt.
[Adopted effective September 1, 2011, amended September 1, 2025]
LARLJ 5 – COURT ADMINISTRATOR
(a) Selection. The court administrator shall be appointed by the Judge and shall serve at the pleasure of
the Judge, under the direction and supervision of the Judge.

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Ferry County District Court Local Rules - 3
(b) Powers and duties. The powers and duties of the court administrator include but are not limited to
the following:
1) 	Administrative control of all non-judicial activities of the court.
2) 	Implement all policies regarding judicial functions of the court.
3) 	Supervision of all court employees.
4) 	Preparation and administration of the court budget.
5) 	Representation of the court in dealings with the State Court Administrator.
(c) Assist the Judge in meeting with representatives of governmental bodies and other public and private
groups regarding court management matters.
(d) Prepare reports and compile statistics as required by the Judge or state court administrator and
maintain records or informal activities of the court.
(e) Make recommendations to the Judge for the improvement of the administration of the court.
(f) Delegation of Duties. The court administrator may delegate their duties to court staff. The court
administrator retains responsibility for ensuring that duties so delegated are sufficiently fulfilled.
[Adopted effective September 1, 2011, amended September 1, 2025]
LARLJ 6 – REMOTE APPEARANCE
(a) Appearance by Attorneys. Remote appearance, via telephone or WebEx, by licensed attorneys shall
not require prior approval unless the attorney’s personal appearance is otherwise required by statute,
rule, or order.
(b) Appearance by Pro Se Litigants and Defendants. Defendants in criminal matters must receive
permission from the Judge prior to appearing remotely for any proceeding.
(c) Sufficient Internet or Telephone Connection Required. It is the appearing party’s responsibility to
ensure that they have sufficient internet connectivity and/or telephone service to send and receive
information from the Court. If the Court cannot see you or hear you, your appearance may not be
noted.
[Adopted effective September 1, 2011, amended September 1, 2025]
LGRLJ 1 –ELECTRONIC FILING AND SERVICE
(a) Electronic Filing. The Clerk of the Court may allow electronic filing of documents. The Clerk is not
obligated to accept an electronic filing for any reason.
(b) Electronic Service - Prior Authorization Required. A party wishing to serve another party
electronically must obtain prior written consent from the party to be served electronically. If a party
serves another party electronically or via email, that party must likewise accept service from the other
parties electronically or via email.
[Adopted effective September 1, 2025.]

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Ferry County District Court Local Rules - 4
LCRLJ 7- SECURITY OF COURTROOM AND RELATED AREAS
Rescinded.
[Adopted effective September 1, 2011, Rescinded effective September 1, 2025]
LCRLJ 10 – FORM OF PLEADINGS
(a) Pleadings not in compliance with GR 14 or this rule may be rejected by the Clerk or struck by the
Court.
(b) Electronic Signatures in Lieu of Originals. All pleadings requiring a signature pursuant to CRLJ 11
shall bear an original signature in blue or black ink except that electronic or copied signatures may be
accepted for filing so long as the pleading bearing the electronic or copied signature(s) is
accompanied by an affidavit substantially in compliance with GR 17.
[Adopted effective September 1, 2025.]
LCRLJ 55 – DEFAULT
(a) Motions for an order of default and/or a default judgment are subject to the following requirements
and will not be granted unless accompanied by the following evidence satisfactory to the court:
(1) Proof of service on all defendants against who judgment is sought;
(2) Proof of inquiry into military status of all defendants against who judgment is sought in
compliance with the Service Members Civil Relief Act (SCRA);
(3) Proof of the debt owed;
(4) Citation to the statute or other basis allowing an award of attorney fees. If the citation refers to a
private contract or agreement, a true and correct copy of the contract or agreement shall be
provided.
(5) No judgment for accrued interest shall be allowed unless proof of the factors necessary for
computation of interest, including applicable dates, rate of interest, amounts subject to interest,
and a computation of the total interest claimed due, has been filed with the Court.
(b) Entities subject to the requirements of RCW 19.16.260 shall ensure that its complaint, motion, and
documents filed in support of its motion for default judgment complies with the requirements of
RCW 19.16.260, now in effect or as subsequently amended. Failure to comply with the statute may
result in denial of a motion for default judgment.
[Adopted effective September 1, 2011, amended September 1, 2025]
LCrRLJ 2.5 – PROCEDURE ON FAILURE TO OBEY CITATION AND NOTICES TO APPEAR
(a) Recall of Warrant. The Court Administrator, or delegate, shall have authority to recall warrants
(“Failure to Appear Arrest Warrant”) issued because the defendant failed to appear or respond to the
citation or summons under the following provisions:
(1) The Failure to Appear Arrest Warrant has not yet been sent to the Sheriff for entry into the
National Crime Information Center (NCIC);

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(2) The defendant personally appears at the District Court public counter to sign for a court date or
appears through counsel, and/or posts bail; or
(3) In cases of clerical error.
(b) In all other cases, the defendant shall present themselves to the Ferry County Jail unless otherwise
directed by the Court Administrator.
[Adopted effective September 1, 2011, amended September 1, 2025.]
LCrRLJ 4.5 – PRE-TRIAL CONFERENCE
(a) Date set at arraignment. When a plea of not guilty is entered, the court shall set a time for a pre-
trial conference, approximately 30 days after the arraignment.
(a) Mandatory Appearance. All parties and their attorneys shall be present at the pre-trial hearing.
Failure of a defendant to attend the pre-trial conference may result in the issuance of a bench warrant,
the forfeiture of any bond, bail or other security posted by or on behalf of the defendant, and the
striking of the trial date from the trial calendar.
(b) Discovery Complete. By the time of the pre-trial hearing, the parties should have completed
discovery and concluded plea negotiations.
(c) Pre-trial Motions. All pre-trial motions (including Petitions for Deferred Prosecution) other than
motions in limine, must be noted at the pretrial hearing. The court will set a time for a hearing on the
motions and set a briefing schedule. The motions must be made in writing accordance with the
briefing schedule, with a memorandum of authorities, and, where appropriate, an affidavit setting
forth the specific facts the party expects to elicit at the hearing.
(d) Jury Trial. The Trial Readiness Hearing and the Jury Trial will be confirmed at this time.
[Adopted effective September 1, 2011, amended September 1, 2025.]
LCrRLJ 6.1—JURY TRIAL READINESS HEARING
A Jury Trial Readiness Hearing will be scheduled during the week prior to the jury term week. The
Defendant must be present with their attorney. The failure of the Defendant to appear at this hearing,
unless excused by the Court, may result in the issuance of a bench warrant and the jury trial being
stricken, and shall be deemed a waiver of the Defendant's Right to Speedy Trial. At the end of the
hearing the following matters should be concluded except for good cause shown:
(1) All plea negotiations;
(2) Exchange of witness lists;
(3) Providing any supplemental or remaining discovery not previously provided; and
(4) Motions on legal issues arising subsequent to the Jury Pre-Trial Conference or on issues arising
due to new evidence.
[Adopted effective September 1, 2011, amended September 1, 2025]
LCrRLJ 6.15--JURY INSTRUCTIONS

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Ferry County District Court Local Rules - 6
Unless otherwise noted by the court, proposed jury instructions shall be filed with the court and served
upon opposing counsel by 3 PM on Monday of Jury Trial Week. Each party shall file two original sets of
instructions: one with citations and one without citations, and shall serve a copy with citations on each
party. Additional instructions, which could not be reasonably anticipated, shall be served and filed at any
time before the court has instructed the jury. Each proposed instruction shall be on a separate sheet of
paper. The original without citations shall neither be numbered nor include citations of authority.
[Adopted effective September 1, 2011]
LCrRLJ 7.6 – PROBATION MONITORING FEES
Defendants placed on probation shall be required to pay a monthly monitoring fee, unless otherwise stated
in the judgment and sentence.
[Adopted effective September 1, 2011]
LCrRLJ 8.2—MOTIONS
(a) Domestic Violence No Contact Orders. A request to extinguish or modify a No Contact Order in a
Domestic Violence case may only be made by a party to the case and must be made in writing. A
verified safety plan must in place for any victim of Domestic Violence. All parties and the alleged
victim must be served with written notice at least five court days before any hearing to consider such
a request.
(b) Proposed Orders. A proposed order granting or denying an order shall be filed concurrently with
any motion or response to a motion.
[Adopted effective September 1, 2011, amended September 1, 2025.]
LCrRLJ 6.2.2—TRIALS
Imposition of Costs. The Court shall be notified immediately if a case scheduled for jury trial is settled
or will not be tried by the jury for any reason. An assessment for jury costs may be imposed if the parties
fail to notify the court at least 24 hours before the trial is scheduled to begin. The responsible party will
be required to pay a jury administrative reimbursement fee equal to the actual costs incurred by the Court
for the jury trial, unless the Judge determines that those costs and fees shall not be paid. Costs include
jury fee payments, mileage reimbursements and all postage costs to summon the jury. Any such terms
imposed by the Court shall be paid as directed by the Court.
[Adopted effective September 1, 2011, amended September 1, 2025.]
LIRLJ 2.6 – SCHEDULING OF HEARINGS
(a) Pre-Hearing. The Court may set a pre-hearing conference which the respondent must attend before a
Contested Hearing. The purpose of the pre-hearing conference is to inform the respondent of their
options to seek a deferral or mitigation instead of contesting the alleged infraction, how the contested
hearing will be conducted, the laws in effect, the burden of proof that each party must meet in order to
prevail, and to discuss and schedule witnesses and submission of additional evidence, if any.

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(b) The prehearing conference may be waived in accordance with the provisions of IRLJ 2.6(a)(1)(ii).
However, a respondent who waives the prehearing conference may not be entitled to seek deferral of
the infraction(s) alleged. If the respondent fails to timely waive or appear at the prehearing
conference, then the Court may enter a finding of Committed and the respondent will be required to
pay all assessed fines in full.
[Adopted effective September 1, 2011, amended September 1, 2025.]
LIRLJ 3.2—MOTION TO VACATE DEFAULT JUDGMENT ENTERED ON THE BASIS OF
RESPONDENT’S FAILURE TO APPEAR
A person against whom a judgment for a traffic infraction has been entered by default for failure to appear
may file a motion in writing, on forms provided by the court, requesting that the judgment be set aside.
The motion will then be presented to the court ex parte for determination. The motion will be evaluated in
conformity with CRLJ 60 (b). If the Court grants said motion, the matter will be set for a hearing of the
kind requested by the person on an upcoming calendar date.
[Adopted effective September 1, 2011, amended September 1, 2025.]
LIRLJ 3.5 – DECISION ON WRITTEN STATEMENT
Mitigation and Contested hearings regarding infractions are authorized. The procedure set out in
IRLJ 3.5 is adopted. In place of the defendant's personal appearance at a contested or mitigated infraction
hearing, defendants may submit their statement in writing (including email submissions). The sworn,
written statements must be received by the Court no later than seven (7) calendar days before the
scheduled hearing or it will not be considered. The Court shall examine the citing officer's report and any
statements from the defendant. The examination shall take place within 120 days after the defendant filed
a response to the notice of infraction. The examination may be held in Chambers and shall not be
governed by the rules of evidence. Any defendant electing to request that the Court hold a contested
hearing under this rule waives the right to appeal the Court's decision to Superior Court under IRLJ 3.5.
Upon reaching a decision, the court will notify the person of the Judge's determination. The person must
remit any amount set by the Judge. If the amount set by the Judge is not paid by the specified date the
failure to respond fee will be added and the matter turned over to a collection agency. If the citation is a
traffic infraction, the Department of Licensing will be notified if the person fails to respond or to pay.
[Adopted effective September 1, 2011, amended September 1, 2025.]
LIRLJ 3.7—DEFERRED FINDINGS
(a) Deferred Findings. The court may defer findings regarding traffic infractions prior to a contested
hearing, or defer entry of an order following a mitigation for up to one year and impose conditions on
that person.
(b) Limit on Number of Deferrals in a Specified Period. A person may not receive more than one
deferral within a seven-year period for moving violations and one deferral within a seven-year period
for nonmoving violations.
(c) Conditions Placed on Person Subject to an Order of Deferral. The Court may imposed conditions
on persons requesting deferred findings under this rule. For moving violations, the conditions may

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include attendance at traffic safety school, payment of some or all of the presumptive fine and an
administrative fee. For nonmoving violations, the conditions may include payment of some or all of
the presumptive fine and an administrative fee.
(d) Administrative Fee. An administrative fee shall be charged for all deferrals. The Court shall publish
a schedule of administrative fees, which shall be updated from time to time. Hardship exceptions are
available to qualified applicants.
(e) 	Dismissal after Compliance with Conditions during Deferral Period. At the end of the deferral
period, the court will dismiss the infraction if the person has met all the conditions of the deferral. If
the person has not met all of the conditions during the deferral period, including by having another
citation or infraction issued against them, the Court may refuse to dismiss the infraction, enter a
finding of Committed, and impose the original penalty amount.
[Adopted effective September 1, 2011, amended September 1, 2025.]
LIRLJ 6.6 –SPEED MEASURING DEVICE CERTIFICATION; REQUEST FOR SPEED
MEASURING DEVISE EXPERT; REMOTE TESTIMONY
(a) Any certificate admissible under LIRLJ 6.6(b), and any other document related to a Speed Measuring
Device, can be filed with the Clerk of the Court and maintained by the Court as a public record, and
shall be available for inspection by the public. Copies shall be provided by the Clerk's office on
request. There shall be no charge for the copy if it relates to an infraction filed against the person
making the request. These records shall be available without a formal request for discovery. The
Court shall be entitled to take judicial notice of the fact that any document filed pursuant to this rule
has been filed with the Court.
(b) Requests to produce the electronic measuring device expert shall be contained in a separate document
and filed in accordance with IRLJ 6.6(b), and served on the prosecuting attorney with a conformed
copy filed with the Clerk of the Court. The request cannot be combined with a notice of appearance
or any other pleading. The Court may allow the speed measuring device expert to testify from a
location other than the courtroom, via Webex or telephone.
[Adopted effective September 1, 2011, amended September 1, 2025.]

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Verbatim from the official publication; the only normalization is removal of the publisher's page headers. Verify against the official source for filing-critical use — court publications change without notice.