Due to a staffing shortage, Skagit County District Court is currently and temporarily unable to answer
telephone calls or return voicemails. If you need assistance from a court clerk, please email our office.

Court
Calendar

Court
Recordings

Local Court
Rules

Fee
Schedule

District Court

Presiding Judge: Paul Nielsen

District Court handles the following types of cases:

Traffic infractions
Misdemeanors and gross misdemeanors
Civil claims to $100,000
Small claims filed by an individual – up to $10,000
Small claims filed by a business – up to $5,000
Protection orders | Lifting (rescinding) or modifying no contact orders
Name change petitions
Dangerous dog hearings
Vehicle impound hearings

Email Contacts

Administration: districtcourt@skagitcountywa.gov
Billing: dcbilling@skagitcountywa.gov
Calendaring: dccalendaring@skagitcountywa.gov
Civil: dccivil@skagitcountywa.gov
Criminal: dccriminal@skagitcountywa.gov
Infractions: dcinfractions@skagitcountywa.gov

Zoom Court Appearances

While some hearings still require an in-person appearance, the court offers remote access via Zoom for many calendars. For access, please consult our Hearing Information Sheet.

Online Payments

Credit card payments will not be accepted from September 25th through October 11th, 2026. This is required due to moving to a new case management system. During this transition, the court will accept:

Cash
Money Orders
Checks

Credit card payments will resume on October 12th via Defendant Access. At that time, only Visa and Mastercard will be accepted. Payments made using a debit card will be processed as a credit card payment.

Blake Refund Information

If you were convicted of soliciting possession of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana, or certain other drug related misdemeanor or gross misdemeanor offenses in Skagit County District Court, you may be eligible to have your conviction vacated and to receive a refund of any legal financial obligations (LFOs) paid on these cases. Learn more in the Blake refund information from the Washington Courts.

Legal Financial Obligations

Court Leadership

Judges

Warren M. Gilbert
Jenifer G. Howson
Paul W. Nielsen

Court Commissioners

Patrick A. Eason
Sarah J. Hayne

District Court Administrator

Catherine Martin