Judges

District Courts have long been called the "peoples court" and are well named for the wide variety of matters over which they have jurisdiction. The collection of fines and assessments generates considerable revenue, which funds both local and state programs. This revenue contributes to public safety and education programs, information systems, crime-victims compensation, public defense, drivers education programs in schools, law enforcement training and local probation supervision programs.

In addition to the law enforcement agencies (Kitsap County Sheriff's Office and Washington State Patrol) and the Kitsap County Prosecutor's Office, this Court also files and hears cases brought by the:

• Washington State Department of Wildlife 
• Washington State Liquor Control Board 
• Kitsap County Humane Society 
• Washington State Department of Natural Resources 
• Washington State and Kitsap County Parks 
• Washington State Depart of Labor and Industries 
• Kitsap County Department of Community Development/ Zoning Enforcement 
• Kitsap County Board of Health

The Kitsap County District Court has jurisdiction over misdemeanors and gross misdemeanor crimes. These crimes carry a maximum penalty of one (1) year in jail and/ or a $5,000 fine. The most common criminal charges include Domestic Violence (DV), Assault, and Theft. Criminal Traffic charges like Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants (DUI) and Driving While License Suspended (DWLS) are filed into this Court. Traffic infractions including speeding, license tabs charges and equipment violations are also heard in this Court.

The Probation Services Division of the District Court supervises offenders sentenced by the Court. Probation is a sentencing alternative to incarceration in jail. The Probation staff provide assessment and evaluation services. Referrals for treatment are made from this office. This division monitors the offender's compliance with sentencing conditions set by the Court. These conditions might include No Contact Orders granted in cases of Domestic Violence or treatment for alcohol/ drug abuse ordered for DUI offenders.

The Civil Division processes Small Claims in amounts not exceeding $4,000 and civil actions not exceeding $50,000. It has jurisdiction over Unlawful Harassment petitions (neighbor disputes) and Protection Orders (family/ intimate partner matters). Petitions for name changes are also heard in District Court.

NO CONTACT ORDERS

No Contact Orders are password protected and can be viewed by those who have been given a log in name and password.  Click here to sign in and view No Contact Orders.

WHAT'S NEW?

Interstate Compact Agreement for Adult Offender Supervision (ICAOS). Many misdemeanor offenders must now receive permission from the court before leaving the state.  Information and forms here.

Interactive Online Forms.  You can fill them out online and print to your local printer. Click on "Forms, Information and Local Rules" on the left navigational bar to go to our forms online.

DID YOU KNOW?

Internet Access to Court and other legal information.

• Order a DOL driving record.

• Find a Court date in any lower court.
• Legal Research .
• Washington Court Directory--locate court personnel, courthouses and dispute resolution centers in Washington State.
• Washington Courts maintains a web site with appellate court information, including recent court opinions by the Court of Appeals and State Supreme Court. Decisions issued in the preceding 90 days may be accessed by entering search terms, and decisions issued in the preceding 14 days may be more simply accessed through a separate link clearly designated.
• U.S. Supreme Court opinions -- This web site contains all U.S. Supreme Court opinions issued since 1990 and many significant opinions of the Court issued before 1990.
• Washington State RCW, WAC, county & municipal codes, State Supreme and Appellate rulings 
• Information about bills filed --Washington Legislature is at the same address -- look under “Washington State Legislature,” “bill info,” “house bill information/senate bill information,” and use bill numbers to access information. Access to the “Washington State Register” for the most recent WAC amendments.
• State government information --A wide range of other state information. 
• The Attorney General's Office web page.

Payment for all fines and traffic citations can be made by calling the "Official Payments Corporation" at 1-888-320-7067.  Enjoy the convenience, flexibility and rewards of credit card payments.

• You must know your ticket number and the name of the citing agency (ie. Washington State Patrol, Kitsap County Sheriff).
• A small service fee will be charged.
• After authorization of your payment, you will be given a confirmation number that you should keep in your records.

NEED MORE TIME TO PAY?

Signal Credit Management Services

If you need more than 60 days to pay your Court fine, you can apply to Signal Credit Management Services for time payment assistance.

Payment Options Information Sheet

SCMS Guidelines

SCMS Application

RESOURCES/LINKS

• Northwest Justice Project
  Publications and information in special areas of interest and need (consumer problems, family law, government benefits, housing, youth, seniors, immigrants, farm workers). This site is available in Spanish and Russian.
• Washington State Legislature Homepage
  General information about our Washington State Legislature, including a listing of state law makers and up to date bill information.
• Kitsap Legal Services
  Referral information for low income clients to volunteer lawyers in selected areas of civil law.
• Washington Association of County Law Libraries
  Washington State directory of county law libraries.
• Washington Courts
  Significant court related information: court directory, forms, court rules, opinions, domestic violence information, self-help guide.  
• Washington State Bar Association
  Consumer information pamphlets online.
• Kitsap Dispute Resolution Center
  A nonprofit (501(c)(3)) community mediation center that provides residents with options for resolving disputes themselves, out-of-court, voluntarily, nonviolently, inexpensively and within the community. 
• Statewide Dispute Resolution Center Directory