Pend Oreille County Court Records

Pend Oreille County court records are filed and maintained at the Hall of Justice in Newport, Washington. The Superior Court Clerk keeps case files for criminal, civil, family law, probate, and juvenile matters, while the District Court handles misdemeanors, traffic infractions, and small claims. If you need to search court records in Pend Oreille County, you can use the statewide Washington Courts case search tool, visit the clerk's office in person, or submit a written request by mail or email. The county is small in population but follows the same filing and access rules as every other county in Washington State.

Pend Oreille County Superior Court Clerk

The Superior Court Clerk is an elected official whose role is set by the Washington State Constitution. Tammie Ownbey has held this position since January 2007. The Clerk serves as the official record keeper and financial officer of Superior Court. As the office puts it, the Clerk is the "gatekeeper" of the court, protecting the integrity and accuracy of all Pend Oreille County court records. Staff are committed to equal access to court services and timely assistance for everyone who comes in.

The clerk's office is located in the Hall of Justice in Newport. It is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with a break from noon to 1:00 p.m. Passport processing is available on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday during regular office hours. Remote services are available by phone, email, and mail for those who cannot visit in person. Online self-service options are also offered through the clerk's website.

The Pend Oreille County Clerk website has information on current hours, remote hearing access, passport services, and how to contact staff. You can reach the office by phone at (509) 447-2435 or by visiting the Hall of Justice during open hours.

The clerk's site is the main starting point for anyone who needs to reach the office, confirm hours, or find out what services are available online versus in person.

Court Records in Pend Oreille County

All cases and documents filed in Pend Oreille County Superior Court since January 1, 1996, are stored as computer images. You can view them online or at the clerk's office terminal at 229 S. Garden in Newport. Older records are available on microfiche or the courthouse computer. The clerk's site links directly to these options.

The records maintained by the clerk include Criminal, Civil and Domestic Violence, Domestic, Probate and Guardianship, Juvenile Offenders, and Judgments. Some case types are restricted from public access. These include Adoptions and Paternity, Mental Illness and Alcohol, and Juvenile Dependency. If you need access to a restricted case type, you may need a court order or must show you are a party to the case.

Viewing records at the courthouse is free of charge. If you need copies, the fees are set by state law under RCW 36.23. Certified copies cost $5.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page. Paper copies are $0.50 per page, plus postage if mailed. Emailed copies cost $0.25 per page. For searches where a written report is issued, the fee is $20.00 per hour. Call the clerk at (509) 447-2435 to order documents.

Note: Documents cannot be separated or partially copied. You must request the full document.

Pend Oreille County District Court

The Pend Oreille County District Court is also in the Hall of Justice in Newport. It handles misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic infractions, civil cases, small claims, and protection orders. This is the court that handles day-to-day cases that don't rise to the level of the Superior Court. If you got a traffic ticket or need to file a small claim in Pend Oreille County, the District Court is where you go.

There are two types of records you can request from the District Court. The first type is court records, which are files tied to specific cases. These are governed by GR 31. Use the Case Records Request form to get details about a specific case or defendant. The second type is administrative records, which cover how the court operates. These are governed by GR 31.1. Use the Request for Information form for broader searches.

To request records, print the request form, sign it, and mail, deliver, or fax it to: Pend Oreille County District Court, Attn: Administrator Rachel Johnson, 229 S. Garden, P.O. Box 5030, Newport, WA 99156. You can also email your request to districtcourt@pendoreille.org. The fax number is 509-447-5724. Be sure to include your contact information so the clerk can follow up with you.

The District Court can tell you about its own cases. It cannot provide case information for Superior Court or Juvenile Court cases. For those, contact the Superior Court Clerk at (509) 447-2435.

Superior Court Calendar and Docket

Pend Oreille Superior Court holds sessions every Thursday. The morning schedule starts with the Criminal Docket at 9:00 a.m., followed by the Juvenile Docket at 10:00 a.m. and the Dependency Docket at 11:00 a.m. Afternoon dockets begin at 1:30 p.m. and cover Civil, Probate, Guardianship, Contested Dependency, and Family Law matters.

The Pend Oreille Commissioners Docket is held every other Friday. The Juvenile Docket starts at 9:00 a.m., Contempt Hearings at 10:00 a.m., and Protection Orders and LFO Hearings at 10:30 a.m. Parties should check the court calendar often since judge assignments can change. Special set hearings require prior arrangement with the court administrator.

Superior Court judges currently serving Pend Oreille County include the Honorable Lisa A. Malpass, the Honorable Jessica T. Reeves, and the Honorable Lech J. Radzimski. Court Commissioner Robin R. McCroskey also presides over certain hearings. Remote hearing access via Zoom is available for some proceedings; the Zoom link and toll-free phone numbers are posted on the clerk's website.

Note: Ex parte matters have specific notice requirements under local court rules.

How to Search Pend Oreille Court Records

The most accessible starting point is the statewide Washington Courts case search. This tool covers Superior, District, and Municipal courts across Washington. It is updated daily at 3:00 a.m. You can search by name, case number, court, case type, or year filed. For Pend Oreille County, this search covers both the Superior Court and District Court.

The Odyssey Portal is another option for accessing court case indexes across Washington. It gives you a basic look at case records without document images. From there, you can determine which court holds the case and reach out to the clerk for copies. Many counties including Pend Oreille use the Odyssey system as a secondary access point.

You can also contact the clerk's office directly. Call (509) 447-2435 to ask about a specific case or to find out whether records are available online or only in person. Staff can search by name or case number. If you visit in person, bring a photo ID. In-person viewing of records at the courthouse is free of charge.

Access to Pend Oreille County court records is governed by RCW 42.56, Washington's Public Records Act, as well as court-specific rules under GR 31. Most records are available to the public. Sealed or confidential records require a court order for access. The clerk can tell you what is available and what is restricted before you make a formal request.

Legal Resources in Pend Oreille County

Pend Oreille County has a law library located in the clerk's office. It is available to attorneys and can be accessed through the Clerk's Office. The library keeps a current subscription to Lexis Nexis for legal research. It is not open to the general public, but court forms and self-help materials are available through state resources.

The Washington State Digital Archives is another useful tool for anyone researching older Pend Oreille court records. The archives contain digitized case files for Superior Court records going back many years. You can search by case number and order copies online at a low cost. This is a good option if the records you need are older or if you are an infrequent researcher.

Northwest Justice Project serves clients in eastern Washington counties including Pend Oreille. They provide free civil legal assistance to income-eligible residents and handle matters such as family law, housing, and protective orders. Call 1-888-201-1014 for more information. The Washington Courts website at dw.courts.wa.gov also has self-help guides and official court forms for those who represent themselves.

Cities in Pend Oreille County

Pend Oreille County is a rural county in northeastern Washington. Newport is the county seat and the main population center. Other communities include Metaline Falls, Metaline, Cusick, and Ione. All Superior Court and major civil cases for the county are handled at the Hall of Justice in Newport. There are no qualifying cities in Pend Oreille County above the population threshold for separate city pages.

Nearby Counties

These counties border or are near Pend Oreille County. If you are unsure which county handles your case, check which county you reside in.