Community Court
Presiding Judge: Jenifer Howson
The mission of the Skagit County Community Court is to build stronger and safer communities by providing accountability with help for individuals involved in the criminal justice system to reduce and properly address quality-of-life offenses by utilizing a collaborative, problem-solving approach to crime. Community Court aspires to hold participants accountable, address factors impacting participants’ criminal behavior, provide access to local resources and increasing community safety.
The goals of the program are to promote community safety, reduce recidivism and substance abuse among offenders, and increase the likelihood of successful rehabilitation by implementing a blend of treatment, supervision, appropriate sanctions, and incentives.
What is Community Court?
Community courts are specialty courts that use a combined strategy of holding participants accountable while connecting them to social services to help address the root causes of crime. Skagit County’s community court takes an individual and trauma-informed approach rather than the traditional punitive approach typically seen in the criminal justice system.
What are the Goals of Community Court?
Provide practical, targeted solutions rather than traditional punishment. Work within the community to find partners in housing services, education, employment, alcohol and drug rehabilitation, mental health services, veterans services as well as other pro social connections. The overall goal is to restore the person and community.
VIDEO: A Novel Approach To Justice: Community Court
When is Community Court?
Skagit County District Community Court
Held each Tuesday morning from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Larry E. Moller Public Safety Bldg.
600 S. Third
Mount Vernon, WA 98273
Anacortes
Community Court
Held the 2nd and 4th Thursday each month in the afternoon from 1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Anacortes Police and Court Complex
1218 24th Street
Anacortes, WA 98221
Burlington
Community Court
Held the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Wednesday each month in the afternoon from 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Burlington Municipal Court
311 Cedar Street, Suite A
Burlington, WA 98233
Mount Vernon Community Court
Held each Tuesday afternoon from 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
The Parker Building
1700 East College Way
Mount Vernon, WA 98273
(360) 416-1275
Sedro-Woolley Community Court
Held the 1st Thursday each month in the afternoon from 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Sedro Woolley Community Court
325 Metcalf Street
Sedro Woolley, WA 98284
National and Local Community Court Programs:
- Community Courts Program | Overview | Bureau of Justice Assistance (ojp.gov)
- Center for Court Innovation
- Community Court (olympiawa.gov)
- Community Courts - King County
Interested in Volunteering or Interning with the Community Court? Please contact Program Coordinator Erika MacArthur, emacarthur@skagitcountywa.gov
A Message from the Bench
"As a member of the judiciary in Skagit County since 2017, and Presiding Judge from 2021 to 2025, I have witnessed firsthand the profound effects that low-level, non-violent crimes have on our community. I am encouraged by the success of community court diversion programs, which offer a therapeutic court network—such as drug and mental health courts—as an effective alternative to the traditional adversarial system. These programs not only assist participants in rebuilding their lives but also strengthen and benefit the broader Skagit County community.
Treatment courts play a crucial role in reducing crime and restoring individuals by addressing underlying substance use and mental health disorders. By uniting public safety and public health, these courts help prevent fatal overdoses, fortify families, and make communities safer.
Research shows that treatment court participants generate substantial savings, averaging more than $6,000 per individual served. By breaking the cycle of crime, these courts significantly reduce incarceration costs, re-arrests, and prolonged court involvement.
Furthermore, treatment courts are the most successful intervention in our nation’s history. They lower incarceration costs, boost tax revenues, and reduce foster care expenses.
Since 2020, our District and Municipal Court network has referred nearly 1,000 participants to critical resources, including housing, substance use treatment, mental health care, counseling, and employment opportunities. These interventions have led to a notable reduction in repeat offenses among some of the highest-risk and highest-need individuals struggling with poverty, addiction, and mental illness.
By fostering strong collaborations with community partners, we are working to reduce crime and restore wellness in ways that the traditional court system has been unable to achieve. The success stories of our graduates inspire optimism and reinforce the effectiveness of these programs. "
- Judge Jenifer Howson, Skagit County Community Court
