Administrative Records Request

Administrative Records Request (GR 31.1)PLEASE NOTE that this page addresses access to court administrative records. For information on how to access court case records, please visit the Court Records Request page.

Washington General Court Rule 31.1, effective January 1, 2016, governs Public Access to Court Administrative Records.  Zillah Municipal Court is committed to providing an open responsive process for handling public record requests. If you would like to submit such a request, or if you have questions about your rights to access court administrative records, please read the information provided below.

How to Submit an Administrative Records Request

You may submit a completed Administrative Record Request Form to the court in any one of the following ways:

Mail: Zillah Municipal Court
PO Box 388
Zillah, WA 98953 

Email:  zillahcourtclerk@cityofzillah.us

Fax: (509) 829-5605

In Person: Zillah Municipal Court
(in Police Department building)
111 7th Street
Zillah, WA 98953  

Please note that your request MUST be in writing and must include your name and contact information as well as a description of the records you are requesting. You will receive a response from the court within five (5) business days from our receipt of your request.  The response will include:

• The estimated time needed to produce the records or a first installment of the records;
• Requests for clarification, if needed and
• An estimate of research, preparation and dissemination costs for requests requiring more than 1 hour of staff time to obtain and prepare.

Fees

There will be a photocopying or scanning charge of fifteen-cents per page.  In addition, after the first hour, thirty dollars per hour will be charged for staff time to process your request.  All fees are due prior to the release of the records and can be paid at the Zillah Municipal Court office at 111 7th Street, in the Police Department Building, in Zillah.

Please submit your Cashier's Check or Money Order payment to: 

Zillah Municipal Court
PO Box 388
111 7th Street
Zillah, WA 98953

Appeals Process

If you wish to appeal the Public Records Office's decision(s) on your request, you must file an appeal as outlined in GR 31.1.

Internal Review

You may appeal the decision of the Public Records Officer within ninety (90) calendar days. To initiate a review, please submit a completed Request for Review form using one of the following methods:

Mail: Zillah Municipal Court
PO Box 388
Zillah, WA 98953

Email: zillahcourtclerk@cityofzillah.us
Fax: (509) 829-5605
In Person: Zillah Municipal Court
(in the Police Department Building)
111 7th Street
Zillah, WA 98953

The record will be reviewed by the Presiding Judge or designee of the Zillah Municipal Court.  In most cases, you will receive a response within five (5) business days from the date the request for review was received or the earliest practical date that the Presiding Judge or designee can review your appeal.

External Review

If you are not satisfied with the decision of the internal review, you may choose one of the following options for an external review:

• File a civil action in Superior Court to challenge the decision.
• Requests an informal review by a visiting judge, delegated by the Presiding Judge.

The request must be submitted within thirty (30) days of the response from the first review.

Resources for Obtaining or Answering Questions about Court Records

For an overview of the law governing access to court administrative records, read this Guideline for Obtaining Administrative Public Records. 

If you have questions, concerns, complaints, or requests for additional information regarding administrative records requests for Zillah Municipal Court, please contact Tracie Palomarez, Court Clerk.

Contact UsZillah Municipal Court
PO Box 388
Zillah, WA 98953

Phone: 509-829-3543
Fax: 509-829-5605
Email: zillahcourtclerk@cityofzillah.us