Adams County Court Records Lookup

Adams County Courts, WA *

The courts in Adams County, southwest of Spokane, handle a wide range of cases. They can be as simple as minor traffic violations or as complex as murder trials. Civil matters include estates, property disputes, landlord-tenant issues, and family court cases, like custody and divorce. People rely on court records every day. Employers, landlords, and lawyers rely on court records to check criminal cases, prior evictions, or to prepare for hearings. Knowing how the Adams County court system works saves time and prevents frustration.

How to Access Adams County Court Records

Online Access

Washington state was one of the first states to begin digitizing its court records, as early as the 1970s. They created online case search systems and began adding cases at that time, but the entire state court records system did not become fully integrated and digitized until 2015. Adams County has electronic records available from June 1996 to the present. Residents of Adams County can search records from the Superior Court, District Court, and Municipal Court on the Washington Courts website.

Alternative Online Options

Although Adams County was an early adopter of online court records, sometimes people find official state court search tools overwhelming. CourtCaseFinder offers aggregated access to public records from Adams County. It provides info on criminal and civil court cases, divorces, arrests, and other public filings from multiple sources. Alternative online search tools help when someone is unsure which court keeps the records they need.

In-Person Requests

Sometimes, Adams County residents need certified documents or older court records. A visit to the Adams County Courthouse might be necessary. People can ask the County Clerk or the District Court Clerk's office for help locating:

• Archived documents
• Certified copies
• Physical case files

A visit to a court clerk's office is often necessary for official or certified records. Sometimes, residents need these specific court records for legal or administrative purposes. They should bring as much information as possible (such as the names of litigants or case numbers) to help expedite the process.

Archived Records

Archived records are court records no longer needed by the court system because the cases have been decided or dismissed. The first stop a resident should make when looking for court records is to ask the County Clerk or District Court Clerk for archived records. Because court records were digitized so early, residents may also want to use the Washington Courts search tool to find older cases. The state also provides a Digital Archives through the Washington Secretary of State's Office.

Overview of the Adams County Court System

There are four levels in the state of Washington court system, all managed by the Administrative Office of the Courts and overseen by the Chief Justice of the Washington Supreme Court. At the highest level of the court system is the court of last resort, the Washington Supreme Court, which hears appeals from the Washington Court of Appeals. There are three divisions in the Washington Court of Appeals, based on the location of the case: Seattle, Tacoma, and Spokane. Adams County is located in Division III, which handles all appeals from Washington's eastern and central counties' Superior Courts.

At the county level, there are three types of courts. Each county in Washington state has a Superior Court. The Superior Court serves as the county's major trial court, hearing large criminal and civil cases. The District Court hears lesser civil and criminal cases, such as traffic offenses, misdemeanors, and evictions. There is one Municipal Court in Adams County, in Othello, that hears traffic infractions and ordinance violations occurring within city limits.

Types of Courts in Adams County, Washington

Superior Court

The Adams County Superior Court has broad jurisdiction and is considered the major trial court of the county. It hears large civil cases over $100,000 and large criminal cases, such as felonies. The County Clerk handles all court records for the Superior Court.

Jurisdiction:

• All felony crimes
• Civil cases larger than $100,000
• Property and land disputes
• Probate matters, including wills, trusts, and estates
• Divorce, child support, and child custody
• Guardianships of mentally ill or incapacitated adults
• Juvenile delinquency, dependency, and adoptions
• Appeals from the District Court

Primary Location: Adams County Courthouse, Ritzville

District Court

The Adams County District Court is the court nearly all residents visit at some point in their lives because it handles traffic offenses, city or county ordinance violations, and civil cases under $100,000. Adams County has two locations for its District Court: Othello and Ritzville.

Jurisdiction:

• Preliminary felony hearings before the case moves to Superior Court
• Simple (up to 90 days in jail and up to a $1,000 fine) misdemeanors, such as disorderly conduct
• Gross misdemeanors (up to a year in jail and a $5,000 fine), such as DUI or assault
• Evictions
• Small claims cases up to $10,000
• City and county ordinance and traffic violations (Except for Othello)

Primary Locations: District Court in Ritzville is at the County Courthouse; District Court in Othello is at the Othello City Hall

Municipal Court

The Othello Municipal Court has a very limited jurisdiction. It only hears violations that occur within the city limits of Othello. It does not hear civil cases. This court does not have jury trials; all cases are heard by a judge.

Jurisdiction:

• Both simple and gross misdemeanors
• City ordinance violations
• Parking and traffic violations that occur within Othello city limits

Primary Location: City Hall, Othello

How to File a Case in Adams County

Filing a case in Adams County requires careful attention to detail, as filing in the wrong court or submitting incomplete paperwork can cause delays, missed deadlines, or even a case dismissal. Understanding the steps to take when filing a civil case can save time and reduce stress. Remember that residents will not need to file a criminal case, as those filings are handled by a governmental body, such as a police department.

Step 1: Choose the Correct Court

The first step any resident needs to take when filing a case is to choose the correct court. When filing a civil case, remember that cases over $75,000 must be filed in the Superior Court. The Superior Court also has jurisdiction over land title disputes, family law cases, probate cases, guardianships, and juvenile cases. District Courts have jurisdiction over misdemeanors, evictions, and small claims cases. If someone is not sure where to file their paperwork, they can check with the County Clerk or the District Clerk.

Step 2: Complete Required Forms

Once the correct court has been chosen, it is simple to find the forms one needs to file a civil suit. Simply go to the Washington courts website to find the needed forms. Residents should download the required forms and complete them. People who need additional assistance completing their forms should consult the County Clerk or the District Court Clerk.

Step 3: File the Case

Once the court forms have been filled out, it is important to file the case. Adams County allows individuals to file online or in person. People who want to file online can file both Superior and District Court cases using eFileWA. Residents would not file a Municipal Court case because civil cases are not heard there. People who want to file in person will visit the County Clerk to file a Superior Court case. Residents can file District Court cases at the Othello or the Ritzville location with either court clerk.

Step 4: Pay Filing Fees

Filing fees for civil court cases depend on the size of the case. Residents who file in person can pay the appropriate court clerk in cash, by card, by money order, or by cashier's check. If filing online, they pay with a credit or debit card. If a resident cannot afford to pay the filing fees, they can complete forms for a waiver. There are three forms in all, available on the Washington Court Forms webpage. Be sure all three forms are completed and attached to the court paperwork when filing online or in person.

Step 5: Serve the Other Party

Washington state law requires that litigants be served with notice that they are being sued. The state allows notice to be served in various ways. Residents can use a sheriff's deputy, a certified process server, or an unrelated adult to serve the paperwork in person. They can also leave the paperwork with a responsible adult in the litigant's residence. With a judge's permission, residents can publish notice of the lawsuit or send notice by certified mail. The Proof of Service form can be found on the Washington Court forms webpage and must be filed with the court for the case to proceed.

Step 6: Monitor the Case

Once all of the paperwork and filing process has been completed, monitor the case for updates or changes. The state makes it easy to monitor a case using the Washington Courts website or eFileWA. Failure to monitor the case may result in it being delayed or dismissed. People who don't want to check their case's progress online can call or visit the County Clerk or the District Clerk to keep up with their case.

Adams County Courthouse Directory

Legal and Self-Help Resources

Although residents of Adams County, Washington, have a streamlined path to filing a civil case or accessing the court system, it may still be difficult for them. Here are some resources people can use to get help.

• The Washington Courts website has a Self-Help Portal with a ton of information on finding legal help, requesting an interpreter for court hearings, using court facilitators, and accessing the court system.
• There is also a legal assistance site for self-help with form completion for civil and criminal paperwork: Washington Law Help. This project also offers lists of attorneys who will represent clients pro bono or on a sliding scale, as part of the Northwest Justice Project.

FAQs

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