Skagit County District Court Local Rules

Skagit County District Court — Local Court Rules

sha256 7400aa0d265dd1067a10054512a07a74… · retrieved 7/17/2026, 2:27:32 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)

Skagit County District and Municipal Court Local Rules 9/2023 1
SKAGIT COUNTY DISTRICT AND MUNICIPAL COURT LOCAL RULES
ADMINISTRATIVE RULES
SLARLJ 2 – SCOPE OF RULES
1. Promulgation: These rules shall be known as the Local Rules for the District
Court of the State of Washington for Skagit County. The provisions of these
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.
2. These rules are authorized by GR 7, CRLJ 83, CrRLJ 1.7 and IRLJ 1.3. They
may be amended at the discretion of the Skagit County District Court.
3. These rules are effective September 1, 2023, and supersede all prior rules of
the court.
SLARLJ 3 – DEFINITIONS
1. Name of Court. The Skagit County District Court consists of the District Court
and three Municipal Court departments as follows:
(1) Skagit County District Court
(2) Anacortes Municipal Court
(3) Burlington Municipal Court
(4) Mount Vernon Municipal Court
2. “Judge” means a current appointed or elected Skagit County District Court
Judge.
“Judicial Officer” means Judge as defined herein, Skagit County District Court
Commissioners, and Skagit County District Court Judges Pro Tempore.
SLARLJ 5 – Rescinded
SLARLJ 7 – Rescinded
SLARLJ 9(b) – Rescinded
SLARLJ 30 – Rescinded
GENERAL RULES
SLGRLJ 31(l) – RECORDING OF PROCEEDINGS
The recording or dissemination of the broadcast of any court proceedings
through video conferencing is not permitted without written permission of the Judicial
Officer conducting the hearing.

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Skagit County District and Municipal Court Local Rules 9/2023 2
CIVIL RULES
SLCRLJ 1.2A – VIDEO CONFERENCE APPEARANCES
1. Attorneys and parties may appear by video conference in civil matters by
agreement of the parties, either in writing or on the record, and upon the
approval of the Judicial Officer.
SLCRLJ 2.5(e) – FILING OF CIVIL AND SMALL CLAIMS CASES
1. Civil and Small Claims cases shall be filed in Skagit County District Court
located at 600 S. 3rd Street, Mount Vernon, WA.
2. Impound Hearings shall be filed in Skagit County District Court.
3. Dangerous Dog cases shall be filed in the court where the owner of the
alleged dangerous dog resides.
4. Petitions for civil protective orders shall be filed in Skagit County District
Court.
5. The filing of a case in the improper court does not create a jurisdictional
defect and does not deprive the court of jurisdiction otherwise conferred by
law.
SLCRLJ 7(b)(5) – Rescinded
SLCRLJ 38 – JURY TRIAL
1. Confirmation Required. On the Monday before the commencement of a civil
jury trial, any party demanding a jury trial shall email confirmation to
districtcourt@co.skagit.wa.us not later than 11:00 a.m. and confirm that the
case is going to proceed to jury trial. Confirmation must include the name of
the person confirming, the party they represent, and the case number. Failure
to confirm may result in a jury panel not being available.
2. This procedure may be modified by written order entered in a particular case.
SLCRLJ 40(b) – NOTE FOR TRIAL ASSIGNMENT
Any party may file a notice requesting that a civil case be set for trial. Said notice
shall set a hearing date for trial assignment. In lieu of appearance at said hearing, the
parties may submit their trial conflicts in writing in advance of the date for trial
assignment. By noting the matter for trial, the moving party certifies that discovery is
complete and that the case is ready for trial. By not objecting to trial assignment, the
non-moving party joins in the motion.
SLCRLJ 40(d) – MANDATORY MEDIATION FOR SMALL CLAIMS COURT
Mediation is mandatory before a trial is allowed in Small Claims Court. Mediation
is held at the first scheduled appearance date unless continued by the court for good
cause. Both parties must attend the mediation unless the court finds that mediation
should not be required. If the plaintiff fails to appear at the first appearance date, a

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Skagit County District and Municipal Court Local Rules 9/2023 3
dismissal may be entered. If the defendant fails to appear at the first appearance date,
a default judgment may be entered. Parties may bring their evidence to the mediation;
however, no witnesses are allowed. Mediation will be held at first appearance for one
hour only. If more time is required to resolve a dispute, further mediation may be
scheduled directly with the mediation service and a further review date set. The
purpose of mediation is to settle the case if possible. If no settlement is reached, the
case will be set for trial. Attorneys and paralegals may not represent parties at
mediation without prior written approval by the Judicial Officer.
SLCRLJ 40(g) – Rescinded
SLCRLJ 43(l) – DOCUMENT ADMISSIBILITY
Certain Documents Admissible. Subject to the requirements of ER 804, the
following documents are admissible in a civil case: The written statement of any
witness, included the written report of an expert witness, and including a statement of
opinion which the witness would be allowed to express if testifying in person, if it is
made by affidavit or by declaration under penalty of perjury.
SLCRLJ 54 – Rescinded
SLCRLJ 56(h) – SUMMARY JUDGMENT MOTIONS AGAINST PRO SE LITIGANTS
In all cases where a motion for summary judgment is brought against a litigant
who is not represented by an attorney, the moving party must attach a copy of CRLJ 56
to the motion for summary judgment. Said copy shall be attached to the motion filed
with the court and the copy of the motion served on the non-moving party. In the event
a copy of said rule is not so attached, the motion shall be stricken subject to being re-
noted without terms.
SLCRLJ 64.1 – Rescinded
CRIMINAL RULES
SLCrRLJ 2.5 – Rescinded
SLCrLJ 3.1 – CERTIFICATES OF COMPLIANCE FOR INDIGENT DEFENSE
1. Certificates of Compliance with the Standards for Indigent Defense required
by CrRLJ 3.1 shall be filed quarterly with the respective Skagit County District
or Municipal Court Clerk’s Office.
SLCrRLJ 3.1(e) – Rescinded
SLCrRLJ 3.1(g) – Rescinded

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Skagit County District and Municipal Court Local Rules 9/2023 4
SLCrRLJ 3.2(o)(2) – RELEASE OF ACCUSED
In the absence of a judicial order authorizing release, any individual who is
booked into the Skagit County Community Justice Center for a DUI, physical control or
any domestic violence offense shall be held without bail until the next judicial day.
SLCrRLJ 3.3 – Rescinded
SLCrRLJ 3.3(f) – Rescinded
SLCrRLJ 3.4(a) – Rescinded
SLCrRLJ 3.4(e) – Rescinded
SLCrRLJ 3.6 – MOTIONS
1. Pre-Trial Motions to Admit, Exclude, or Suppress Evidence. Unless otherwise
ordered by a judicial Officer, all pre-trial motions to admit, exclude, or
suppress evidence that require the presentation of testimony or other
evidence shall comply with the requirements of CrRLJ 3.6.
2. CrRLJ 3.5 Motions: Unless otherwise ordered by a Judicial Officer, hearings
pursuant to CrRLJ 3.5 shall be heard not later than the Monday immediately
preceding the trial date.
3. Timing.
A. All pretrial motions as set forth under 3.6(1) herein, must be filed and
calendared for hearing prior to the Readiness hearing, absent good
cause or waiver by the court.
B. The filing, content, and calendaring of motions is governed by CrRLJ
rules 3.6, 8.1, and 8.2 except that any responsive pleading must be
filed and served not later than 12:00 noon two court days before the
scheduled hearing.
SLCrRLJ 4.1(d) – Rescinded
SLCrRLJ 4.1(g) – Rescinded
SLCrRLJ 4.2(g) – DEFERRED PROSECUTIONS
The defendant petitioning for a Deferred Prosecution, prior to filing said petition,
shall meet with a District Court Probation Officer for the purpose of evaluating whether
or not the defendant is an appropriate candidate for a deferred prosecution and to
ensure that the defendant understands the obligations required for successful
completion of a deferred prosecution.
SLCrRlJ 4.12 – Rescinded
SLCrRLJ 5.1 – COMMENCEMENT OF ACTIONS
1. Under Municipal Ordinances. Complaints for the violation of a municipal
ordinance shall be heard in the division in which the municipality exists.
2. Under Other Laws. All criminal and criminal traffic actions should be filed in
the division where the violation is alleged to have occurred.

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Skagit County District and Municipal Court Local Rules 9/2023 5
SLCrRLJ 5.2 – TRANSFER OF CASES
A Judicial Officer may transfer criminal cases to another division upon the court’s
own motion or motion of any party upon finding of good cause.
SLCrLJ 6.1.1 – JURY TRIAL CONFIRMATION
1. Confirmation Required. In the District Court, on the Monday before the
commencement of a jury trial, the party demanding a jury trial shall email
confirmation not later than 11:00 a.m. and confirm that the case is going to
proceed to jury trial. Confirmation must include the name of the person
confirming, the party they represent, and the case number. In the Municipal
Courts, on the Friday before the commencement of a jury trial, any party
demanding a jury trial shall email confirmation not later than 11:00 a.m.
Confirmation shall include the name of the person confirming, the party they
represent, and the case number. Failure to confirm may result in a jury panel
not being available.
2. Confirmation shall be sent to the following email addresses:
A. For Skagit County District Court – districtcourt@co.skagit.wa.us.
B. For Anacortes Municipal Court – municipalcourt@cityofanacortes.org
C. For Burlington Municipal Court – bcourts@burlingtonwa.gov
D. For Mount Vernon Municipal Court – mvcourts@mountvernonwa.gov
3. This procedure may be modified by written order entered in a particular case.
SLCrRLJ 6.1.3 – TRIAL BRIEFS AND MOTIONS IN LIMINE
All trial briefs and motions in limine shall be filed with the Court and opposing
party no later than noon the Monday prior to the first day of trial for which the trial date
has been confirmed.
SLCrRLJ 6.13(b) – Rescinded
SLCrRLJ 6.13(f) – Rescinded
SLCrRLJ 7.2(g) – Rescinded
SLCrRLJ 8.2 – Rescinded
INFRACTION RULES
SLIRLJ 2.3 – FILING
Notice of Infraction shall be filed in the District Court or the Municipal Court
department where the violation is alleged to have occurred.

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Skagit County District and Municipal Court Local Rules 9/2023 6
SLIRLJ 3.2(b) – MOTION TO SET ASIDE DEFAULT JUDGMENT FOR FAILURE TO
APPEAR
A defendant, against whom a judgment for a traffic infraction has been entered
by default for failure to appear, may file a motion in writing requesting that said
judgment be set aside. The motion will then be presented to a Judicial Officer, ex parte,
for determination. If, upon review, the court determines a hearing upon the motion is
necessary, the matter shall be set for hearing. Defense counsel or the defendant must
be present in the event the matter is set for hearing. The motion will be evaluated in
conformity with CRLJ 60(b). If the court grants the motion ex parte, the matter shall be
set for hearing by the clerk, either mitigation or contested as requested by the
defendant, and a notice will be sent to the defendant. Mitigation hearings may be heard
at the time of the motion if the calendar allows.
SLIRLJ 3.5(a) – DECISIONS ON WRITTEN STATEMENTS AND VIDEO
CONFERENCE APPEARANCES
1. Decisions on written statements are authorized pursuant to IRLJ 2.4(b)(4),
2.6(c), and 3.5 for alleged infractions which are contested or where the
Defendant requests a mitigation hearing.
2. Appearances by video conference of infraction mitigation hearings are
authorized pursuant to IRLJ 3.5(b). Hearings shall be conducted on the
record in open court.
SLIRLJ 6.6 – Rescinded
[All Local Rules effective September 1, 2023]

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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.