Washington is divided into Eastern Washington and Western Washington. The United States District Court for the Western District of Washington is the Federal Court extending its jurisdiction over the counties of Clallam, Clark, Cowlitz, Grays Harbor, Island, Jefferson, King, Kitsap, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, Pierce, San Juan, Skagit, Skamania, Snohomish, Thurston, Wahkiakum and Whatcom. It has courthouses in Seattle and Tacoma. It has eight judges the chief judge being Robert S. Lasnik. The United States District Court for the Eastern District of Washington has Adams, Asotin, Benton, Chelan, Columbia, Douglas, Ferry, Franklin, Garfield, Grant, Kittitas, Klickitat, Lincoln, Okanogan, Pend Oreille, Spokane, Stevens, Walla Walla, Whiteman and Yakima under its jurisdiction. It has four judges. The District Courts for the Eastern and the Western region of Washington were formed on March 2, 1905. Other than patent claims and claims against the US government under the Tucker Act, the district courts appeal to the Ninth Circuit Court. The United States Attorney's offices for both he districts represent the United States in all litigation.
Unlike other district courts that handle all sorts of civil and criminal cases, the District Courts of Washington (Eastern and Western) have limited jurisdiction. They hear only some civil, criminal and traffic cases. The Superior Courts have a greater jurisdiction over the cases. The District Courts' criminal jurisdiction includes misdemeanor cases, gross misdemeanor criminal cases, ordinance violations, felony, traffic and infractions and the preliminary hearing of all criminal cases. The civil cases that are dealt with in the District Courts are cases with less than $50,000, cases regarding recovery of money, damages etc. The District Courts have a small claims division where cases involving less than $4000 are heard. Other cases in the jurisdiction of the District Courts are domestic violence and protection order, juvenile delinquency cases, name changes, some mental health cases and vehicle impound cases. For providing alternative process for some juvenile infractions, there is a Youth Division in association with local schools.
Washington District Court Records is a vast pool of resources that keeps track of all the cases filed and other related information. They can be accessed for free on the internet. These online records enable people to review cases, find relevant information required for background checks, criminal verifications and credit history. They can be used to verify identities and locate criminals. They can be accessed by ordinary citizens and business and financial entities. These are of immense help to companies who often conduct pre-employment verification. This free online search of court records helps them screen the most deserving candidates. This is done to avoid work place mishaps like sex offences, theft, deliberate destruction of workplace properties etc.
One of the most important benefits of Washington District Court Records is that they make it possible for different people to study one case at a given point in time; the attorney, the parties involved and the public can read and review a case simultaneously. Apart from acquiring information, one can also download and print documents like birth certificates. With the Washington District Courts providing impartial justice and a peaceful life to people on one hand, the free court records add to the common man's convenience on the other hand.
