Attorney in Seattle, WA

Matthew Marsh

Washington State Records

Why Washington Court Records are Available to the Public?

In 1972, the Washington State Legislature passed a law named the Washington Public Records Act. This law enables the last changes in 2010 and aims to make sure disclosure of court records and other public records to the public.
What Court Records Access Means To You?

The law is similar to the Washington Open Meeting Law which legislates the methods by which public meetings are held. The Washington Public Records Act intent is that all records maintained by state and local government entities be available for public access and copying.
Accountability to the Public

When the legislature enacted Washington Public Records Act, it expressively declared that access to information about the conduct of the people’s business is a fundamental and necessary right of every person in this state, Public Records Act. Indeed, in Washington, access to the government and court records, in particular, a fundamental interest in citizenship and has emphasized that maxim disclosure of the conduct of governmental operations promoted by the act. By promoting prompt public access to government records, the Washington Public Records Act is to safeguard the government's accountability to the public.
How the Washington Court Process Functions?

Most cases in Washington courts begin in one of the 39 superior or trial courts in the state’s 39 counties.

The next level of judicial authority resides with the Court of Appeals. Most cases before the Court of Appeals involves the review of a superior court decision being contested by a party involved in the case.

The Supreme Court serves as the highest court in the state to check decisions of the Court of Appeals to settle important questions of law and to resolve conflicts among the Court of Appeals.
Some differences between Civil Court and Small Claims Court below

Licenses/Certifications

Board Certified in Civil Trial Law (NBLSC)

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Practice Areas

Legal Services	Injuries & Accidents
Abuse (Child, Domestic, Sexual)	Insurance
Agencies & Administration	Investments (Securities, IPOs)
Auto (Speeding, Traffic)	Juveniles
Auto (Accidents, Insurance)	Landlord/Tenant
Banking (Business, Mortgage)	Medical Malpractice
Bankruptcy	Motor Vehicle Accidents
Business Law	Negligence
Children (Custody, Support)	Malpractice - Professional
Class Actions (Drugs, Products)	Mediation
Commercial Law and Contracts	Online / Video Legal Consultation
Commercial Real Estate	Parents (Elder Law, Medicare, SSI)
Commerical Litigation	Patents, Copyrights, Trademarks
Construction (Accidents, Disputes)	Pay and Benefits
Contract Disputes	Personal Injury
COVID-19-Related Legal Help	Probate & Contested Wills
Credit (Collections, Rights)	Product Liability
Criminal Law	Real Estate/Property
Discrimination/Harassment	Social Security
Divorce	Taxes
Eminent Domain/Condemnation	Transportation
Employment Law	Unions
Entertainment & Media	Immigration, Visas, Citizenship, Deportation
Environmental Law/Zoning	White Collar Crime
Family Law	Workers' Compensation
Financing & Taxes	Wrongful Death
Health Care & Insurance	Wrongful Termination

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Location

800 Fifth Avenue

Suite 4100

Seattle, WA 98104

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