Visiting Our Courts

There are four levels of court in Washington: the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals, the superior courts and courts of limited jurisdiction, or district and municipal courts.

The Supreme Court is located in Olympia in the Temple of Justice on the state capitol grounds. Courtrooms of the three divisions of the state Court of Appeals are located in Seattle, Tacoma, and Spokane. Courthouses in each of the state’s 39 counties house superior court courtrooms. Each county has at least one district court and many of the state’s cities and towns have a municipal court.

Though some proceedings are not open to the public, visitors are welcome to attend all others without appointment. It is usually advisable for large groups to check in advance with the court clerk, administrator, bailiff, or judge about the availability of seating and parking.