Yakima County
Yakima County is named for the Yakama tribe of the Native American people. It was created on January 21, 1865, from Ferguson County. Its most populous city and county seat is the City of Yakima. The 2020 decennial census recorded a population of 257,001 people and measures 4,311 square miles.
The court system in Yakima County is fully operational because of the Superior, District, and Municipal Courts present. The Superior Courts are trial courts of general jurisdiction. They have jurisdiction over:
- Civil cases involving an amount in controversy of $75,000
- Felony Cases
- Divorce Proceedings
- Cases involving dependent children
- Wills and Probate
- Decisions of the Lower Courts
The District Courts, being courts of limited jurisdictions, adjudicate traffic/non-traffic infractions, and contract disputes in which the amount of money involved does not exceed $100,000. The Municipal Courts are spread across various municipalities. They have exclusive criminal jurisdiction over all violations of city ordinances. They also exercise original jurisdiction over traffic cases.
Court records are governed by the Washington State Court General Rules. The Superior Court Clerk takes records of judgments and orders emanating from court activities. These records are then filed and archived for future purposes. A list of documents/filed index of records can be obtained from the Office of the Superior Court Clerk. You may contact the clerk to use the public access terminals for viewing records. Audio recordings (CDs) or paper files of court proceedings are available to the public. Mailing CDs cost $3, while three CDs cost $6. You may contact the clerk to obtain more information about prices if you are ordering more.
Records can be viewed by requesting via email, fax, and mail. You may also indicate your interest by filing a request form. If you decide to visit the Superior Court Clerk in person, you will need to provide an ID. The Washington Courts Online Case Search provides a means to view court records at your convenience. Note that the website is updated every 24 hours, and provides case-related information as they are resolved. Some of the cases adjudicated in court include civil, traffic, criminal, and probate cases. Their records are available for public view.
