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Seattle Municipal Court FAQ on court business during COVID-19

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Disputing a ticket

To request a hearing to contest or mitigate your ticket, follow the instructions on the back of your ticket and submit it by mail, or call (206) 684-5600 Monday-Tuesday 8 a.m.-5 p.m. and Wednesday-Friday 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

A hearing notice will be mailed to you and will include instructions for how to either submit your written statement or participate in a hearing.

If you agree that you committed a violation but want to explain your situation, you can request a mitigation hearing.

If you disagree that you committed a violation, then you can request a contested hearing. If you request a contested hearing, the court will schedule you for a pre-hearing settlement conference, which is an opportunity to resolve the case without the formality of a hearing. You may skip the settlement conference and proceed directly to the contested hearing (trial) by completing the waiver form sent to you with your pre-hearing conference notice.

Attending a Courtroom 201 ticket hearing

Here are your options to participate in your hearing:

  1. Hearing by written statement: Submit your written statement online or use the Written Statement form enclosed with your hearing notice. Please submit your statement three days before your scheduled hearing.
  2. Hearing by telephone: Call (206) 684-5607 at your scheduled hearing time to speak with a clerk. The clerk will check you in, and a magistrate will call you back for your hearing within one hour.
  3. Hearing by video conference: Go to our Virtual Hearings page to participate using WebEx video conferencing at your scheduled hearing time. You will need a smartphone or computer with internet access.* If you use a smartphone, download the Cisco WebEx Meetings app before joining your hearing.
  4. For Pre-Hearing Settlement Conferences ONLY – Hearing in-person: Request an in-person hearing by calling (206) 684-5600 Monday-Tuesday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., Wednesday-Friday, 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. 

*If you want to participate through video conference but you do not have access to a smartphone or computer, on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays you can come to the Community Resource Center on the second floor of the courthouse to use a computer for your hearing.

Attending a Courtroom 301 ticket hearing

You have two options to participate in your Courtroom 301 hearing:

  1. Hearing by video conference: Go to our Virtual Hearings page to participate using WebEx video conferencing at your scheduled hearing time. You will need a smartphone or computer with internet access. If you use a smartphone, download the Cisco WebEx Meetings app before joining your hearing.
  2. Hearing in-person: Please email courtcalendar.SMC@Seattle.gov with your case number to request an in-person hearing. Attend your hearing on the 3rd floor of the Seattle Municipal Court. Visit our Directions and Parking page for information.

Criminal cases

You have the option to attend your hearing in-person or attend virtually using WebEx video/telephone conferencing, unless you are specifically ordered to appear in-person by a judge. For more information, visit our Virtual Hearings page.

You will receive a notice in the mail informing you of your next court date. If your mailing address has changed, please notify the court of your changed address by calling (206) 684-5600 Monday-Tuesday 8 a.m.-5 p.m. and Wednesday-Friday 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

You can check court dates online here. Search for your name in the Defendant Search, click on your court case, then click the Hearings tab.

If you have questions about your criminal case, contact your attorney. If you don’t have your public defender’s contact information, contact the Department of Public Defense.

Attorneys: Please check the Case Information Portal for information on your client’s case.

Paying tickets or fines

You can pay tickets online, by phone at (206) 233-7000, or by mail. The transaction fee for online and phone payments is being waived at this time.

If you cannot pay a ticket or fine, call (206) 684-5600 to learn about your options. You may apply for a payment plan online.

Call (206) 684-5600 Monday-Tuesday 8 a.m.-5 p.m. and Wednesday-Friday 9 a.m.-5 p.m. if you have questions or need assistance.

Public defense screening

To find out if you qualify for a public defender, call 206-386-1543, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday.

Pre-trial services and probation

Probation clients do not need to report in-person to the courthouse at this time, unless you are individually contacted and asked to report. Call (206) 684-7840 or visit our website if you do not have your counselor’s contact information.

Impound hearings

You may attend your impound hearing in-person or virtually using WebEx video/telephone conferencing. Please call (206) 684-5600 for information.

Community Resource Center

The Community Resource Center is open on Mondays and Wednesdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Information on services at seattle.gov/courts/crc.

Marriage ceremonies

Judges are available after 4:30 p.m. every weekday and at flexible times on weekends to perform limited marriage ceremonies. More information.

Jury service

Jurors report in-person to the courthouse for service. More information is available on our website.

Court records

Many case records are available on the online portal. Visit our website for more information on requesting court records or contact the Clerk’s Office at 206-684-5636.

Other questions?

Call (206) 684-5600 Monday-Tuesday 8 a.m.-5 p.m. and Wednesday-Friday 9 a.m.-5 p.m.