Navigating the Washington State Court System

If you've been accused of a crime, navigating your way through the "judicial system" to appear in court can be a nightmare. In a way, the Court System is a jungle. Trying to get information about a case can involve a parade of automated phone menus, being "parked" on hold for an eternity, and standing in long lines at "information kiosks". Showing up at the wrong Court at the wrong time is quite common. As I walk through the corridors of the various Courts in King and Snohomish counties, I am frequently approached by people with papers clutched in their hands, desperately trying to find the right courthouse or the right courtroom to be in.

What makes matters worse is that Court structures and organization vary from county to county. If you aren't accompanied to Court by an attorney who knows the courthouse and local procedures, you may feel like you're lost in a maze of dead ends and misinformation. And if you've been accused of a crime and don't appear in Court on time, a warrant may be issued for your arrest!

The best way to avoid these problems is for you to pick up the phone and call me at Robert McKay & Associates BEFORE you enter the pits of the judicial system. Just to show you how confusing the "court quagmire" can be, I've provided you with a brief overview of how courts are organized in Washington State.