Washington's Superior Courts were created via the Washington State Constitution. Cowlitz County was one of the original 12 judicial districts created under Article 4, Section 5. The original judicial district included Cowlitz, Clark, Skamania, Pacific and Wahkiakum counties.
The Superior Court has statewide jurisdiction over:
- Civil matters involving more than $300, unlawful detainers, and injunctions;
- Felony criminal cases;
- Misdemeanor criminal cases not otherwise provided for by law;
- Family law, including dissolutions, child support, adoptions, parentage, and domestic-violence protection matters;
- Probate and guardianship matters;
- Juvenile offender matters;
- Juvenile dependencies, including abused and neglected children, children in need of services, at-risk youth, and truancies;
- Mental illness and involuntary commitment matters.
The Superior Court in Cowlitz County holds regular session of court at the Hall of Justice, Cowlitz Youth Services Center and the St. John Hospital (mental health commitment cases). On occasion, by special arrangement, court sessions are held at other locations.
Additional information on our locations and transit can be found on our How to find us page.
