Bellingham Municipal Court

Bellingham Municipal Court cases in Whatcom County, Bellingham, WA

Bellingham Municipal Court is a municipal court serving the City of Bellingham, Washington. As a court of limited jurisdiction, it handles violations of city ordinances and certain state laws adopted by the city. Common case types include criminal misdemeanors and gross misdemeanors (such as DUI, domestic-violence-related misdemeanors, and third-degree theft), traffic and parking infractions, and other noncriminal code violations. The court conducts arraignments, pretrial hearings, trials, sentencing, warrants, and probation compliance for these matters. It does not hear felonies, family law, juvenile, probate, or general civil lawsuits; those are handled by Whatcom County District Court or Superior Court.

Bellingham Municipal Court Contact and Location Information

Services and Case Types Handled in Bellingham Municipal Court

Bellingham Municipal Court serves the public by adjudicating City of Bellingham ordinance violations (misdemeanors/gross misdemeanors) and traffic/parking infractions.

Typical cases: DUI/Physical Control, reckless/negligent driving, assault 4th (including domestic violence), theft 3rd, trespass, disorderly conduct, criminal traffic, and civil traffic/parking infractions.

Core services:
- Case filings and records: accepts criminal/infraction filings; provides calendars, copies/certifications, and public records.
- Court hearings: arraignments, pretrial/motion hearings, bench/jury trials, sentencing, probation/compliance reviews.
- Protective orders: issues criminal no-contact orders in qualifying misdemeanor cases; directs standalone civil protection orders to the appropriate county court.
- Jury services: juror summons/qualification, scheduling, orientation, and compensation.
- Payments/compliance: fine/fee payments, payment plans, community-service credit, probation supervision and treatment monitoring.
- Access: interpreter services and ADA accommodations.