For a limited time, persons with bench warrants in any municipal court within King County can quash a qualified warrant through the Back on Track warrant amnesty program. This program is available from April 1 through June 30, 2021.
While each court has its own procedure for the program, many warrants under $5,000 will be handled administratively, with the warrant immediately removed and a new court hearing scheduled. Warrants over $5,000 and those that involve Domestic Violence, No Contact Orders, DUIs and Physical Control, no matter the amount of the warrant, will be referred to the judge for consideration, depending on court policies.
“This is a great opportunity for people with outstanding arrest warrants in King County to get back on track,” stated Bothell Municipal Court Judge Mara Rozzano. “With COVID-19 restrictions, we understand there has been a lot of confusion about how to access the court system, and many people with court dates have been understandably worried about their health and safety. This program allows individuals with qualified warrants to have an outstanding arrest warrant removed and quickly get back into the court system.”
Individuals with an outstanding bench warrant should contact the specific court where the warrant was issued. Requests to quash warrants can be made by phone, email or in writing. The court may require the citation or case number, personal identification, and updated contact information. If the citation/case number is not known, the court will be able to assist in finding that information. All municipal courts in King County have remote hearing options that do not require in-person contact, including virtual and telephone hearings.
“This pandemic has affected every business and service provider. The courts have also been hit hard,” observed Judge Kara Murphy Richards from Renton Municipal Court. “The lack of full in-person operations and technology challenges means that a lot of people are missing hearings and warrants are being issued. The Back on Track program aims to provide a county-wide plan that encourages people to clear these warrants. Renton is a proud partner with neighboring courts to be part of this regional effort.”
The Back on Track program runs only from April 1 through June 30, 2021, so people who qualify for the program are strongly encouraged to participate and contact their respective court as soon as possible. The following courts are actively participating in the Back on Track program:
Algona Municipal Court (Pacific Municipal Court) court@ci.pacific.wa.us
Black Diamond Municipal Court court@blackdiamondwa.gov
Bothell Municipal Court municourt@bothellwa.gov
Clyde Hill Municipal Court (Kirkland Municipal Court) court@kirklandwa.gov
Des Moines Municipal Court court@desmoineswa.gov
Enumclaw Municipal Court court@ci.enumclaw.wa.us
Federal Way Municipal Court MC.MuniCrt@cityoffederalway.com
Hunts Point Municipal Court (Kirkland Municipal Court) court@kirklandwa.gov
Issaquah Municipal Court municipalcourt@issaquahwa.gov
Kent Municipal Court municipalcourt@kentwa.gov
Kirkland Municipal Court court@kirklandwa.gov
Lake Forest Park Municipal Court lfpcourt@cityoflfp.com
Maple Valley Municipal Court (Kent Municipal Court) municipalcourt@kentwa.gov
Medina Municipal Court (Kirkland Municipal Court) court@kirklandwa.gov
Mercer Island Municipal Court court@mercerisland.gov
Newcastle Municipal Court (Mercer Island Municipal Court) court@mercerisland.gov
Normandy Park Municipal Court (Des Moines Municipal Court) court@desmoineswa.gov
North Bend Municipal Court (Issaquah Municipal Court) municipalcourt@issaquahwa.gov
Pacific Municipal Court court@ci.pacific.wa.us
Renton Municipal Court rmcourt@rentonwa.gov
SeaTac Municipal Court municipalcourt@seatacwa.gov
Seattle Municipal Court seattle.gov/courts/programs-and-services/customer-service
Snoqualmie Municipal Court (Issaquah Municipal Court) municipalcourt@issaquahwa.gov
Tukwila Municipal Court court@tukwilawa.gov
Woodinville Municipal Court (Kirkland Municipal Court) court@kirklandwa.gov
Yarrow Point Municipal Court (Kirkland Municipal Court) court@kirklandwa.gov
