Members of the bar,

It's that time of year for courts to consider and submit changes to local rules. Please submit any proposed changes to Superior Court's local rules to Lisa West by June 15th.

The Superior Court bench proposes the attached rule regarding the Torrens Act. This rule is not intended to substitute for the normal process used outside of RCW 65.12 Additionally, Superior Court has received a proposed rule regarding unlawful detainers. Both are attached.

The judges will consider any comments or suggested changes that are sent to Lisa West by June 15th: lisaw@co.skagit.wa.us

Best Regards,

Skagit County Superior Court Bench

Torrens rules.pdf

Proposed Rule Change.pdf

Please see the attached Emergency Order 20-7. This Order extends operations through June 15th and includes minor adjustments. The Criminal Calendar start time at the Skagit County Jail will now begin at 1:30 PM Mon-Friday.

Superior Court Emergency Order 20-7.pdf

Please see attached.

Administrative Order 20-5.pdf

Please see the attached Administrative Order 20-4 for the District Court and Municipal Courts of Anacortes, Burlington and Mount Vernon.

Administrative Order 20-4.pdf

Attached is a copy of the latest Skagit County Superior Court Emergency Order.

Emergency Administrative Order 20 6-A.pdf

Would you like to earn $1000?

As many of you know, the Skagit Volunteer Lawyer Program is recruiting a Program Manager. Attached is the job description.

How can you help? Please network with your attorney friends and help us find a good candidate for the position.

SCBA's Executive Committee has approved to pay a finder’s fee of $1,000.00 to any SCBA attorney who refers us a candidate that is hired and is employed for three months in the position.

Now that we are all working from home and checking in with our friends, family and colleagues this would be a great time to brainstorm who would be a great fit for this position and refer them to us for an interview.

VLP Manager.pdf

Good morning, everyone,

Attached is a document outlining the schedule for District Court once the Governor’s Stay Home, Stay Healthy order is rescinded or modified.  Please bear in mind that this plan could change based on directives from either the Governor or our state Supreme Court which are inconsistent with this schedule.

I would like to thank all of the county personnel who have helped with every request we have made to protect the health of our court staff, attorneys, and litigants, particularly Public Health, Human Resources, Sheriff, Jail staff, Facilities, and Emergency Management.  A special thank you to our County Commissioners, who have worked tirelessly to meet the needs of District Court, and to Judge Svaren for his guidance during this extraordinary time. 

I’d also like to thank everyone for their continuing cooperation and positive spirit as we navigate uncharted waters.

Judge Dianne Goddard

SCHEDULING UPON END OF STAY HOME ORDER.docx

In response to the current coronavirus restrictions, Skagit Volunteer Lawyer Program (a collaboration between the Skagit County Bar Association and Community Action of Skagit County) has shifted gears and is now taking referrals through the Northwest Justice Project’s C.L.E.A.R. hotline for a Virtual Legal Clinic to be held every Thursday afternoon from 1:00pm to 4:00pm (or by arrangement, on a case by case basis). The Clinic will consist of phone consultations only, and will be limited to advising and counseling clients unless the assigned attorney elects to provide additional services.

If you would like to help, please email Hollie Del Vecchio at holliedv@communityactionskagit.org. (Please include a list of practice areas in which you are interested in advising clients.)

Also take note that all in-person clinics have been cancelled until further notice. If you have volunteered for one of these clinics, please consider participating in the Virtual Legal Clinics instead. Mentoring may also be available, if you are interested in using this time to learn a new practice area!

Thank you in advance for any help you can provide during this unprecedented time, where clients’ need for legal services has skyrocketed at the same time that our ability to provide those services is hindered. We are excited about this new virtual structure, and are also exploring options to expand them to include teleconference options as the coronavirus situation subsided. So stay tuned!

To SCBA members,

Since the Stay at Home directive will be with us until at least May 4, Skagit County Superior Court has adopted a new Emergency Order that provides for a greater access to the Court. A copy is attached. Specifically, please refer to the provisions of Paragraph 4 allowing hearings on non-critical matters. I know we are all looking forward to the day when access to the Courts will not be so limited.

David Svaren, Presiding Judge

Superior Court Emergency Order No. 5.pdf