District Court

Welcome to the Grant County District Court's webpage.

Grant County District Court’s purpose is reflected in its mission statement.

“The goal of Grant County District Court is to ensure equal access to justice for all, provide effective and timely resolution of legal matters, and assure dignified and fair treatment for all, while promoting respect for, and the independence of, the judiciary.”

Grant County has one countywide District Court. The Court is empowered to hear all traffic cases, misdemeanors, gross misdemeanors, and preliminary hearings in felony cases. Civil jurisdiction is concurrent with Superior Court and extends to cases in which the amount in controversy does not exceed $75,000, exclusive of interest and costs. District Court hears small claims where the amount in controversy does not exceed $5,000. The District Court does not have jurisdiction in cases involving the title to real estate and certain other limited exceptions.

Press Releases

• District Court Press Releases news release on 2012/01/18

Courtroom Etiquette

When coming to court, please remember the following:

• Suitable attire is required. Shoes and shirts are necessary. Halter tops, tank tops, and shorts are not permitted. Hats are to be removed upon entering the courtroom.
• No smoking.
• No food or drink will be allowed.
• No weapons of any kind are permitted.
• No backpacks allowed in the Grant County Courthouse or the Moses Lake Branch of the Grant County District Court.
• Cell phones and beepers must be switched to the off position.
• Children under 12 are not allowed in the courtroom. The Court does not provide child care.
• Upon your arrival, find your name on the calendar outside the courtroom and then have a seat in the proper courtroom until the session convenes. You do not need to check in with the clerk unless your name is not on the list.
• When your name is called, come forward and stand behind one of the counsel tables.
• Be polite, courteous, and remain standing until instructed otherwise by the judge.

Links

• Forms

  • Affidavit of Services

  • Affidavit of Surrender

  • Community Service Time Sheet 17KB 2013/02/11

  • Name Change Information Sheet 161KB 2012/06/06

  • Name Change Petition - Minor 2011/03/24
    Name Change Consent of Natural Parent - Minor 2011/03/24
    Name Change Order - Minor 2011/03/24

  • Name Change Petition - Adult 2011/03/24
    Name Change Order - Adult 2011/03/24
    Name Change Return of Service - Minor and/or Adult 2011/03/24

  • Notice, Motion, Order for Vacating Conviction 55KB 2012/06/15

  • Order Blank 2011/03/31

  • Order Motion Blank 2011/03/31

  • Order of Continuance

  • Petition of Deferred Prosecution 2011/03/24

  • Probation Report Form - English 2011/03/24

  • Probation Report Form - Spanish 2011/03/24

  • Request for Public Defender (English) 2011/05/02

  • Request for Public Defender (Spanish) 2011/05/02

  • Request for Information from District Court 94KB 2012/04/13

  • Statement of Defendant for Mitigation by Mail

  • Statement of Defendant for Contested by Mail

  • Waiver of Right to a Speedy Trial

  • Subpoena

• Information

  • District Court Fee Schedule 98KB 2012/06/06

  • 2011 Grant County DUI Victim/Survivors' Panel Referral Form 12/21/10

  • 2011 Grant County DUI Victim Impact Panel Schedule 12/21/10

  • Appeal Instructions 65KB 2012/06/06

    • Notice of Appeal to Superior Court and Certification of Filing Status

    • Designation of Record to be Transmitted to Superior Court

    • Motion, Affidavit and Order in Forma Pauperis

  • Infractions Brochure 109KB 2012/06/06

  • Jury Brochure

  • Small Claims Brochure 103KB 2012/06/06

  • Community Service Site List 13KB 2012/06/06

  • Protection Order Process

  • Pay Fine with Credit Card

  • Crime Pamphlet

Web Links

• Local Court Rules
  http://www.courts.wa.gov/court_rules/?fa=court_rules.list&group=district&set=disgnt
  

• Check the Status of a Drivers License
  https://fortress.wa.gov/dol/dolprod/dsdDriverStatusDisplay/
   

• Find My Court Date / Attorney's Search
  http://dw.courts.wa.gov/index.cfm?fa=home.home

Services

The services we provide are consistent with Washington State’s “Courts of Limited Jurisdiction.” Grant County has one countywide District Court, in two locations. The judicial operation of District Court is the sole responsibility of the two District Court Judges and one full-time Court Commissioner.

In order to make judicial services as available as possible to the citizens of the County, the Superior Court Judges appoint the District Court Judges as Commissioners of the Superior Court. This enables the District Court Judges to sign temporary and preliminary orders in a variety of cases in Superior Court, as well as sitting in Juvenile Court and Domestic Relations Court as needed.

Staff

	Presiding Judge	Janis Whitener-Moberg
	Judge	Richard C. Fitterer
	Court Commissioner	Brian D. Barlow
	Court Administrator	Barbara Smith
	Administrative Assistant	Danielle Harris
	Probation Manager	Angie Hightower
	District Court Clerks	(17)

 

Locations

The main location is on the third floor of the historical Grant County Courthouse, located in the county seat. That location is 35 C St NW Ephrata, Washington, in the heart of Sun Basin Country.

The Branch Office of Grant County District Court is located at:
1525 Wheeler Road Rd E. Moses Lake, Washington.

 

Contact Information

District Court hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM and 12:30 PM to 4:00 PM.

Civil Department hours are Monday through Friday, 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 12:30 PM to 4:00 PM.

 

Mailing Address for District Court:

Grant County District Court
PO Box 37
Ephrata, WA 98823

Location for the District Courts are:

Ephrata
Address: 35 C St NW, Ephrata, WA 98823
PO BOX 37, Ephrata, WA 98823
Phone: (509) 754-2011 ext. 434
Fax: (509) 754-6099
Email: gcdistrictcourt@co.grant.wa.us
 

Moses Lake
Address: 1525 Wheeler Rd E. Moses Lake, WA
Phone: (509) 765-9209
Fax: (509) 766-5913

To make a payment by credit card:

Grant County District Court

Make your payment by visiting www.granttix.com

or by calling 1-800-701-8560

• nCourt Informational Sheet 124KB 2011/12/12

 

Official Payment Corp. 1.800.483-0005 or visit www.officialpayments.com
For more information about Official Payment Corp. please click on link below:

• Information about Official Payment Corp.