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

Please see attached Emergency Order

Superior Court Emergency Order No.4.pdf

Please see attached emergency order from Skagit County Superior Court, which supersedes the prior emergency orders issued by the Court.

Superior Court Emergency Order No. 3.pdf

Please see attached Emergency Order for Skagit County District Court and the local Municipal Courts

Administrative Order 20-3.pdf

To the members of SCBA and any attorneys practicing in Skagit County Superior Court:

In a very brief window of time, the entire State of Washington has had to adjust to being the epicenter of the COVID-19 outbreak in the United States. I can think of other forms of notoriety I would prefer. As matters have rapidly progressed, our grocery stores have been inundated by hordes of concerned people who seek to obtain supplies to see them through and our restaurants, bars, recreational facilities, and meeting places have been shuttered and our schools have been closed. The Courts have remained open.

The emergency conditions have caused extreme changes in our operations. Our earlier Orders have now been superceded by the Supreme Court’s Order (see attached). Barring emergent Civil matters and In Custody criminal matters, this Order leaves us a very narrow swath of cases we can hear. I expect to revise Skagit County Superior Court’s Order to reflect the terms of the Supreme Court’s Order and to give clarity on what we still can hear and how we will hear it. We will be in touch as soon as we can be with the new changes. In any event, all Emergency Orders are posted on our website.

The Judges and Superior Court Staff appreciate the understanding and cooperation the Skagit County Bar has shown in this Emergency.

David Svaren, Presiding Judge

Supreme Court Emergency Order re CV19 031820.pdf

Unfortunately, due to the current lack of staffing and volunteers in the Volunteer Lawyer Program, the Housing Justice Project will be temporarily suspended through April 24.

We will be sending a call out to all members to assist in the recruitment of a Program Manager candidate. We will be offering a $1,000 finder’s fee to anyone who finds a candidate who fills the position beyond three months.

Additionally, we need volunteers to assist with the HJP when it opens up again on May 1. Please let us know if you are available.

Additionally, we are monitoring whether or not the Law Day Clinic should continue as scheduled. We will know more in the week to come and will update everyone at that time.

INFORMATION REGARDING NOVEL CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)

Due to the recent cases of the COVID-19 virus in nearby counties, Skagit County Superior Court and the Skagit County Facilities Management Division are undertaking daily applications of disinfectant throughout the courthouse.  Additionally, hand sanitizer dispensers are located on the first and second floors of the Courthouse. While we are using our best efforts to keep the Courthouse a safe environment, you are reminded to wash your hands regularly, avoid touching your face and stay home if you are sick.

TO JURORS:

Thank you for your willingness to serve.  Our society is based on the rule of law and the Courts cannot stop functioning during this challenging time.  Skagit County Superior Court is committed to performing our Constitutional duties while protecting the safety and security of our community.  

Until further notice, you are excused from jury service if you meet any of the following criteria:

• You have a chronic health condition such as heart disease, lung disease or diabetes;

• You are pregnant;

• You have a weakened immune system; or

• You are sick or have recently been in contact with someone who is sick. 

Please contact Superior Court at (360) 416-1200 if you are requesting to be excused for any of the above reasons.

The Judges will be moving from a weekly civil/criminal rotation to quarterly (every three months).  The goal is to provide provide increased consistency and stability to the criminal and civil rotations. The civil rotation Judge will also take over the Juvenile Offender Calendar and the Protection Orders Calendar.

The Protection Orders calendar will be moved from Tuesday mornings to Tuesday afternoons (1:30 PM).

In an effort to reduce the amount of cases on the Friday morning Criminal Calendar, the Court is creating an out of custody Arraignment calendar on Tuesday mornings at 9:30 AM. Please docket any out of custody arraignments to this calendar beginning on April 7th.

Attached is a template of the new calendar with color highlights as to each schedule.

You may address any questions related to this announcement to

Lisa West, Administrator
Skagit County Superior and Juvenile Courts
Superior Court: 360-416-1206
Juvenile Court: 360-416-1225

Weekly Court Schedule 4-2020.pdf