Snohomish County Criminal Court hears all criminal cases in Snohomish County. Below you will find specific information about criminal cases and how they are handled in Snohomish County.
Defendant Sentencing
At a sentence hearing the judge will inform the defendant of the sentence that will be imposed. This sometimes occurs at the same hearing in which the defendant is found guilty (either by trial or plea agreement). In can also occur at a later date, most often this is due to the complexity of the case where more time is needed to determine the appropriate sentence.
What happens in Snohomish County at an arraignment?
In Snohomish County the defendant is brought into court and informed by the judge of the charges that have been filed against them along with informing them of their rights. At this time, the defendant can plead guilty, not guilty or no contest. If the defendant pleads guilty or no contest, there will be no trial and the defendant may be sentenced immediately or at a later date. If the defendant pleads not guilty a trial date is set.
Snohomish County Criminal Court
Right to Jury Trial
For “Serious Crimes”, those that can have a potential penalty of 6 months in jail OR a minimum $500 penalty, the US Constitution guarantees a right to trial by jury. This is guaranteed by Article III of the Constitution and the 6th Amendment. The accused has the ability to waive their right to trial by jury.
Snohomish County Prosecutor
For criminal cases in Snohomish County, the prosecutor will be a representative of Snohomish County. The Snohomish County prosecutor reviews all evidence and ultimately decides whether to file or dismiss charges in the case. Most of the time, the prosecutor has leeway in plea negotiations and determines how the case will be prosecuted.
Appealing a guilty verdict
A defendant may appeal a guilty verdict to an appellate court. This is not a request to have another trial, but a request for an appellate court to review the case and determine that it was handled in a correct legal manner. There are a number of outcomes in an appeal including an upholding of the conviction, a finding that errors were made resulting in a retrial or resentencing or possibly a complete disimissal of all charges.
Who can help me in Snohomish County?
For general information about your case the Snohomish County court clerk will be able to provide legal information about your specific criminal case. Legal information is not legal advice though, the court clerk will only be able to provide information about your case, like date/time of hearings what will occur at the hearing and what you may be required to do in the hearing. They cannot provide advice about what you should do or what the best legal options may be for your particular case. Only an attorney can provide legal advice and this is your best place for information about your specific criminal proceeding. If you cannot afford to hire a private attorney to represent you, a judge will appoint an attorney to represent you, this is most often a public defender.
Snohomish County Criminal Court locations
Criminal proceedings take place in the Snohomish County Criminal Courts. A list of the criminal courts are located here.
What if I can’t afford an attorney?
The 6th Amendment guarantees you the right to an attorney whether or not you can afford one. If you cannot afford one, a public defender will be appointed by the court to represent you.
What is the Burden of Proof?
The term “Burden of Proof” means that the prosecutor is required to prove the guilt of the defendant beyond a reasonable doubt. If the prosecutor cannot provide proof of the defendants guilt, then the judge or jury in a trial must find the defendant not guilty. In the United States the principle innocent until proven guilty derives from this that the defendant is assumed innocent and the prosecution has the burden of proving beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant is guilty.
Jury Deliberation
In a jury trial in Snohomish County, after both the prosecution and defense have rested, the judge will give instructions to the jury and jury deliberations will begin. The jury will convence in a private room to discuss and deliberate the innocence or guilt of the defendant. Once the jury arrives at a unimanous decision, they will inform the judge that they have reached a decision. They will return to the court and the verdict will be read aloud. If the jury cannot reach a unaminous decision, the jury is said to be deadlocked and a mistrial will be declared in the case.
Plea Agreements
A Plea Agreement, sometimes known as a Plea Bargain is an agreement between the prosecution and the defendant, where the defendant pleads guilty or no contest often in exchange for a lesser charge or lighter recommended sentence. A large majority of criminal cases end in a plea agreement. In Snohomish County you can inform your attorney to negotiate with the prosecution to attempt to come to a plea agreement, but this is dependent upon the charge severity and also the prosecutors willingness to accept a plea deal.
Required Court Appearances in Snohomish County
Any required court appearances in Snohomish County Criminal Court must be attended by the defendant. Failure to appear in court at your required date and time may result in the judge issuing an arrest warrant.
Snohomish County Criminal Court Locations
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Snohomish County Superior Court
Address: 3000 Rockefeller Avenue, M/S 605, Everett WA 98201
Phone: 425-388-3466 Fax: 425-388-3806 -
Snohomish County Superior Court – Juvenile
Address: 2801 10th Street, Everett WA 98201
Phone: 425-388-7800 Fax: 425-388-7882 -
Snohomish County District Court – Cascade Division
Address: 415 E Burke Avenue, Arlington WA 98223
Phone: 425-388-3331 Fax: 360-435-0873 -
Snohomish County District Court – Everett Division
Address: 3000 Rockefeller Avenue, M/S 508, Everett WA 98201
Phone: 425-388-3331 Fax: 425-388-3565 -
Snohomish County District Court – Evergreen Division
Address: 14414 179th Avenue SE, Monroe WA 98272
Phone: 425-388-3331 Fax: 360-805-6755 -
Snohomish County District Court – South Division
Address: 20520 68th Avenue W, Lynnwood WA 98036
Phone: 425-388-3331 Fax: 425-744-6820 -
Arlington Municipal Court
Address: 1015 State Avenue, Marysville WA 98270
Phone: 360-363-8050 Fax: 360-657-2960 -
Edmonds Municipal Court
Address: 250 5th Avenue N, Edmonds WA 98020
Phone: 425-771-0210 Fax: 425-771-0269 -
Everett Municipal Court
Address: 3028 Wetmore Avenue, Everett WA 98201
Phone: 425-257-8778 Fax: 425-257-8678 -
Lake Stevens Municipal Court
Address: 1015 State Avenue, Marysville WA 98270
Phone: 360-363-8050 Fax: 360-657-2960 -
Lynnwood Municipal Court
Address: 19321 44th Avenue W, PO Box 5008, Lynnwood WA 98046
Phone: 425-670-5100 Fax: 425-774-7039 -
Marysville Municipal Court
Address: 1015 State Avenue, Marysville WA 98270
Phone: 360-363-8050 Fax: 360-657-2960 -
Monroe Municipal Court
Address: 806 W Main Street, Monroe WA 98272
Phone: 360-863-4548 Fax: 360-794-4007 -
Arlington Traffic Violations Bureau
Address: 238 N Olympic Avenue, Arlington WA 98223
Phone: 360-435-5785 Fax: 360-435-6055 -
Brier Traffic Violations Bureau
Address: 2901 228th Street SW, Brier WA 98036
Phone: 425-775-5452 Fax: 425-672-9025 -
Darrington Traffic Violations Bureau
Address: 60 Emens Avenue, PO Box 397, Darrington WA 98241
Phone: 360-436-1131 -
Gold Bar Violations Bureau
Address: 107 5th Street, Gold Bar WA 98251
Phone: 360-793-1101 Fax: 360-793-2282 -
Granite Falls Traffic Violations Bureau
Address: 206 S Granite Avenue, Granite Falls WA 98252
Phone: 360-691-6441 Fax: 360-691-6734 -
Lake Stevens Traffic Violations Bureau
Address: 1812 Main Street, PO Box 257, Lake Stevens WA 98258
Phone: 425-334-1012 Fax: 425-334-0835 -
Mill Creek Traffic Violations Bureau
Address: 15728 Mill Creek Blvd, Mill Creek WA 98012
Phone: 425-337-1115 Fax: 425-745-4680 -
Mountlake Terrace Violations Bureau
Address: 5906 232nd St SW, Mountlake Terrace WA 98043
Phone: 425-670-8260 -
Mukilteo Traffic Violations Bureau
Address: 10500 47th Place W, Mukilteo WA 98275
Phone: 425-263-8100 -
Snohomish Traffic Violations Bureau
Address: 230 Maple Avenue, Snohomish WA 98290
Phone: 360-568-0888 -
Stanwood Traffic Violations Bureau
Address: 10220 270th Street NW, Stanwood WA 98292
Phone: 360-629-2181 Fax: 360-629-3009 -
Sultan Violations Bureau
Address: 515 Main Street, PO Box 1650, Sultan WA 98294
Phone: 360-793-1051 -
Woodway Traffic Violations Bureau
Address: 23920 113th Place W, Woodway WA 98020
Phone: 206-542-4443 Fax: 206-546-9453