Municipal Court

If you receive a a copy of a criminal citation from a Kirkland, Medina, Clyde Hill or King County (on behalf of the City of Woodinville) police officer or in the mail, your court appearance is mandatory. You have been charged with a crime. Failure to appear will result in a warrant being issued for your arrest.

Look for an appearance (arraignment) date in the lower left-hand portion of your gold citation or near the bottom center position of your white electronic citation.  If no date is written on the citation, the court will summons you in 2-3 weeks. The summons will be mailed to the address on the face of the citation. It is your responsibility to contact the court if the address is incorrect or the summons is not received within 2-3 weeks.

Most hearings, such as an arraignment, are held in person but many hearings are conducted by virtual appearance.  Please refer to your hearing notice for date, time, courtroom and case number or your order of release from your last court date.

If you are scheduled for a virtual appearance then please call or log in from your computer at least 10 minutes before your scheduled hearing and wait for court personnel to check you in. Your hearing will be conducted in a specific courtroom.  It is very important that you review your hearing notice to determine which room either Courtroom 1 or Courtroom 3 that is associated with your case.  

Your Zoom hearing instructions for matters assigned to COURTROOM 1(PDF, 111KB)

Your Zoom hearing instructions for matters assigned to COURTROOM 3(PDF, 147KB)

Sus instrucciones de audencia de Zoom para asuntos asignados a la SALA 1(PDF, 166KB)

Sus instrucciones de audencia de Zoom para asuntos asignados a la SALA 3(PDF, 163KB)

General information for those new to Virtual Hearings:

YOU HAVE BEEN ORDERED TO APPEAR BEFORE THE KIRKLAND MUNICIPAL COURT VIA THE ZOOM App. Follow the instructions to appear for your virtual hearing.

Allow plenty of time to prepare your equipment before joining the virtual hearing.  Failure to attend your virtual hearing at your appointed time, will result in a noted failure to appear.

If using a smartphone or tablet use the Zoom Application to access your virtual hearing; visit the app store and download and install the ZOOM App. 

If using a computer, you will be prompted to install when you join the meeting.

Go to: ZOOM

*Tips for Participating in the ZOOM Virtual Courtroom:

• When you join the virtual courtroom, you may be in a “waiting room” until the court clerk opens the meeting. Do not announce yourself, the clerk will obtain names of those in attendance. There may be several cases set on the docket at the same time.
• If calling in, call from a phone with a good connection.
• If you are represented by an attorney, talk to your attorney before the hearing date to discuss your case.
• You should remain in a muted status until your case is called to reduce background noise. When your case is called, unmute your device. The Judge will ask you to identify yourself, speak loudly and clearly.
• Follow directions from the Judge when it is your turn to speak.
• Hearings will be recorded using the court recording system.
• You may leave the ZOOM virtual hearing after your case has been resolved.

Additional instructions may be given to you by the Court or your Attorney during the hearing.

You may also reach court staff by phone at 425-587-3160 during the hours of 8:30 AM to 11:30 AM and 12:30 PM to 4:30 PM. 

If you have any questions, please contact your attorney or the court office.

Judge John Olson was unanimously appointed to the Kirkland Municipal Court by the Kirkland City Council in December 2019 and was elected for a full term in November 2021. Judge Olson was raised in Shoreline and graduated from the University of Washington with a bachelor’s degree in 1977 and a master’s degree in 1981. He received his Juris Doctor from the University of Puget Sound in 1987.

Prior to practicing law, Judge Olson was a teacher and coach in the Auburn School District from 1979 to 1987. He began his legal career over 30 years ago as a Prosecutor with the King County Prosecutor’s Office, and then as a Prosecutor and Assistant City Attorney with the City of Bellevue. In 1990, Judge Olson joined the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) as an Associate Executive Director and Legal Counsel, and he remained there until 2019. He also served as Judge Pro Tempore in Kirkland, Mercer Island, Issaquah and Seattle beginning in 2004, and was appointed Commissioner of Kirkland Municipal Court in 2006. Judge Olson has also served as an adjunct professor at Seattle Pacific University and Seattle University, where he taught Legal Issues in Sport and Recreation.

In addition, Judge Olson has served his community in many capacities. He has served as a board of directors member for the Seattle King County Humane Society, Woodinville Little League, the Woodinville Baseball Club, and as Board President for the FC Alliance Premier Soccer Club. He was a Cub Scout Den Leader for the Boy Scouts of America, and also served as a coach with Northshore Youth Soccer, Northshore Youth Basketball, Woodinville Little League, and Woodinville Baseball Club.  He currently is a Nationally Certified Track and Field Official with the United States Track and Field Association. Judge Olson is a proud member of the Kirkland Kiwanis He has lived in East King and Snohomish Counties with his wife of 37 years, where they have raised three adult children.

Filing a hearing by mail form only applies to traffic infractions, parking tickets and school zone tickets with an already scheduled hearing date.   Complete the hearing by mail form included with your hearing notice or to file electronically choose either the:

CONTESTED Form

MITIGATION Form

 If you choose to complete the Hearing by Mail form in writing, your completed form may be delivered:

• By fax: (425) 587-3161
• By mail: Kirkland Municipal Court, P O Box 678, Kirkland, WA
• In person: 11740 NE 118th St, Kirkland, WA 98034

For more information, contact the Kirkland Municipal Court at 425-587-3160.

Make a Payment

Respond to a Criminal Charge or Request a Tow Hearing

Find a Speed Measuring Device Certificate

Request a Court Record

Apply for a Public Defender

File a Motion to the Court for Reconsideration to explain the circumstances to the Judge for reconsideration of the Court's ruling.

FAQs

I received a handicap parking citation but have a valid handicap placard.  How do I notify the Court?

 » Send a copy of your placard along with your contact information here or request a court hearing by marking the appropriate box on your citation and mailing to the Kirkland Municipal Court, P O Box 678, Kirkland, WA 98083 within 15 days of the citation date.  You may also present your placard in person during the hours of 8:30 AM to 11:30 AM and 12:30 PM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday.

I missed my court date and have either a Bench Warrant (criminal charge) or Fail to Appear (non-criminal).  What is the next step? 

 » Please contact the Court at 425-587-3160 for instructions.

 What if I do not qualify for a public defender?

» The King County Bar Association operates a lawyer referral service and provides information on community legal services.  

I received a delinquent letter from the court, after returning the copy of the ticket requesting a hearing. What does this letter mean?

» The court did not receive your hearing request within 15 days, or did not receive your hearing request at all.  You can either pay the citation or contact the Court at  425-587-3160 for further information.

I received a delinquent letter from the court, after mailing in my payment. What does this letter mean?

» The court records indicate payment has not been received. You must present a canceled check.  Contact the Court at 425-587-3160.

I lost my parking ticket and want to request a hearing.  You may file your request online by using the Parking Hearing Request form.  Once completed, you will then receive a notice of your hearing date and/or E-filing deadline within two or three weeks.  If you do not receive a notice then call 425-587-3160 for assistance. 

I received a citation for failure to provide proof of insurance. I was insured at the time of the traffic stop, but did not have my insurance card with me. Do I have to pay the full amount of the fine?

» If you present proof of insurance valid at the time of the traffic stop within 15 days of the violation, your citation can be dismissed upon payment of $25.  You may present your insurance by Email or by fax 425-587-3161, or mail to Kirkland Municipal Court, P O Box 678, Kirkland, WA 98083.  You may also present your proof of insurance in person during the hours of 8:30 AM to 11:30 AM and 12:30 PM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday.

I received a citation for failure to provide proof of insurance. I was not insured at the time of the traffic stop, but I now have insurance. Do I have to pay the full amount of the fine?

» You may show proof of obtaining insurance after the incident, within 60 days from the violation date or before your scheduled court date and the penalty will be reduced to $250.00.   We are available to review your insurance either by Email, fax 425-587-3161 or by mail: Kirkland Municipal Court, P O Box 678, Kirkland, WA 98083.   Lobby hours are 8:30 AM to 11:30 AM and 12:30 PM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday.

The Department of Licensing abstract will be processed and sent to DOL.  If there is a $52.00 FTA/FTR (failure to appear/respond) fee that has been added, you are responsible for that cost.  The balance due would be $302.00. 

If there is an additional violation on the ticket, you are responsible for the penalty amount associated with that violation in addition to the insurance portion.

I lost my traffic infraction citation and would like to request a hearing.  You may file your request online by using the Infraction Hearing Request form.  Once completed, you will then receive a notice of your hearing date and/or E-filing deadline within two or three weeks.  If you do not receive a notice then call 425-587-3160 for assistance. 

I received a citation for no valid operator's license on person, but I have a valid license.  Do I have to pay the full amount of the fine?

» No, you may show proof of a valid operator's license by Email or by fax 425-587-3161 or by mail within 60 days of the violation date or before a scheduled court date (mitigated or contested).  You may file in person between the hours of  8:30 AM to 11:30 AM and 12:30 PM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday.  The penalty will be reduced to $250.00. 

If there is a $52.00 FTA/FTR (failure to appear/respond) fee that has been added, you are responsible for that cost.  The balance due would be $302.00. 

If there is an additional violation on the ticket, you are responsible for the penalty amount associated with that violation in addition to the no valid operator's license portion.

I can't make my scheduled mitigation hearing.  Can I reschedule?

» No. Mitigation hearings cannot be rescheduled. You may E-File instead. Or, you may use the Hearing by Mail(PDF, 244KB) option.

I can't make my scheduled contested hearing.  Can I reschedule?

» You must contact the Court 48 hours before the scheduled court date to determine if you are eligible to reschedule.  You may E-File instead.  If you received a hearing by mail form with your hearing notice, you may use the Hearing by Mail(PDF, 265KB) option.

I do not live in Kirkland. Can I respond to my Kirkland ticket at another court closer to my home?

» No. The name and address of the court of jurisdiction is printed in the upper left corner of the citation. Your citation must be handled at that court only.

I am a juvenile and I received a parking ticket. What do I do?

» Request a hearing or pay the fine within 15 days.

There are two violations on my citation. I would like to pay one and request a hearing on the other. Can I do this?

» No. You must pay the full amount of the citation or request a hearing within 15 days.

I received a speeding ticket in a school or construction zone. What kind of hearing shall I choose?

» Penalties for infractions committed in school or construction zones are doubled and may not be reduced.

When a defendant requests a contested hearing, the defendant is not admitting guilt. The charge may be dismissed after a contested hearing, if the judge is convinced the defendant did not commit the offense.

When a defendant requests a mitigation hearing, the defendant is admitting he/she committed the offense and is asking the Court to mitigate the fine. School or construction zone infractions may not be mitigated.

Where do I file a civil case, such as divorce or small claims?

» Divorce and civil lawsuits should be filed at the King County Superior Court

Small claims matters are filed at  King County District Court Small Claims

How can I respond to a delinquent parking notice for a vehicle I no longer own?

» You may submit your bill of sale to the Court along with your contact information here, by fax 425-587-3161 or by mail: Kirkland Municipal Court, P O Box 678, Kirkland, WA 98083.  The lobby is open to the public, during the hours of 8:30 AM to 11:30 AM and 12:30 PM to 4:30 PM.  If you need more information with regard to title records on your vehicle, you may contact the Washington State Department of Licensing.

If you missed your mitigation or contested hearing or failed to respond to your infraction, then you may motion the Court by submitting a Show Cause Request.