For many years parties were permitted to file an Affidavit of Prejudice in a pending case, which disqualified a particular judge from hearing a case.Last year, the Legislature amended the controlling statute and also gave the tool a new name – Notice of Disqualification. Since that time, there has been some confusion and a lack of clarity regarding...

To:Litigants and Attorneys From:Superior Court Judges of Cowlitz County Re:Superior Court Offices – Access Effective Monday, August 20, 2018, access to the Hall of Justice offices of the judges and judicial assistants (back hallway and jury rooms) will be by appointment or permission only. The door codes of attorneys (public and private), legal ass...

After much consideration, the Superior Court Bench has decided to alter our unwritten process for handling of criminal sentencing where a conversion of jail time to community service is being requested. Historically, sentencing was continued after plea of guilty to allow a defendant to complete some proposed amount of community service, even though...

Effective immediately, when an offender is found guilty, by plea, trial or in any other fashion, and there is a request to set sentencing over to a different date, the Court will require a NEW bond to be presented at the time of the request. Documents from the bond agent purporting to extend the originally filed bond is ineffective and will NOT be ...

The Washington State Legislature has required the use of state forms in all cases filed in the areas of Family Law (RCW 26.18.220) and Dependency (RCW 13.34.035). The Pattern Forms Committee has promulgated specific Style and Format Rules for the use of the forms in these two areas which can be found at: http://www.courts.wa.gov/forms/?fa=form...

Once again the Cowlitz County Adult Drug Court will be holding graduation ceremonies for several of our program graduates! The festivities begin at 1:00 PM and are held at the Cowlitz County Administration Building, Commissioners Room on the second floor. Light refreshments will be served afterwards. The public is welcome! Come early to get a good ...