Cowlitz County Superior Court cases in Cowlitz County, Kelso, WA
Cowlitz County Superior Court in Kelso is Washington's trial court of general jurisdiction. It hears felony criminal cases; civil lawsuits of any amount; family law matters (dissolution, custody, child support); juvenile offender and dependency cases; probate, guardianship, and adoption; domestic-violence and other protection orders; and mental health commitments. It conducts jury and bench trials, issues injunctions and other equitable relief, and handles appeals from courts of limited jurisdiction (District and Municipal) within the county. Misdemeanor and infraction traffic cases are generally heard in District or Municipal Court; Superior Court handles criminal traffic offenses charged as felonies or gross misdemeanors and reviews lower-court traffic judgments on appeal.
Cowlitz County Superior Court Contact and Location Information
| Court Type: | Superior Court |
| County: | Cowlitz |
| Street Address: | 312 SW 1st Ave |
| City: | Kelso |
| Zip Code: | 98626 |
| Phone: | 360-577-3085 |
| Hours: | Monday - Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm |
| Website URL: | https://www.cowlitzsuperiorcourt.us/ |
| Forms & Filing: | Forms |
| Divisions / Services: | Probation - 360-577-3077 |
| Dockets / Schedule / Calendar: | Schedule |
| Jury Service: | Jury Information |
| Languages: | English |
| Email: | clerk@co.cowlitz.wa.us |
| Facebook: | https://www.facebook.com/CowlitzSuperiorCourt |
| Linkedin: | https://www.linkedin.com/company/superior-court-of-washington-for-cowlitz-county/about/ |
Services and Case Types Handled in Cowlitz County Superior Court
Cowlitz County Superior Court serves as the county's court of general jurisdiction, providing:
- Case filings (through the County Clerk) and docketing for civil actions, felony criminal matters, family law (divorce, custody, support), juvenile offender and dependency, probate/guardianship/adoptions, mental health/involuntary treatment, and appeals from courts of limited jurisdiction.
- Protective orders: domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, vulnerable adult, and anti-harassment-intake, temporary orders, hearings, and final orders.
- Court hearings and trials: arraignments, motions, settlement conferences, review calendars, bench and jury trials, and sentencings; ex parte calendars.
- Jury services: summons, qualification, deferral/excusal, reporting instructions, and juror payment.
- Public-facing services: calendars and forms, interpreter and ADA accommodations, problem-solving courts (e.g., drug/family treatment), and coordination with the Clerk for payments, certified copies, and record access.
Its role is to resolve disputes, protect public safety, and issue enforceable orders through fair and timely proceedings.