Court Docket

The Benton County WA Court Docket is an essential part of the judicial process, providing a schedule for court proceedings across various courtrooms in Benton County. This article will provide you with an in-depth understanding of how the court docket system functions in Benton County, what information you can find in it, and how to access the court dockets for different cases.

What is the Benton County WA Court Docket?

A court docket is a record of all court proceedings scheduled for a particular day or week. It lists cases by time, case type, and courtroom, helping participants and the public stay informed about when and where legal matters will be heard. In Benton County, the court dockets provide a detailed list of scheduled hearings, trials, and other legal proceedings taking place in the Superior Court, District Court, and other local courts.

How to Access the Benton County Court Dockets

The Benton County WA court dockets can be accessed through the official Benton County Clerk's website. The site provides an up-to-date daily schedule, allowing the public and legal professionals to confirm their hearing times and the appropriate courtroom assignments. For more detailed information, you can also check specific department schedules like those for Family Law, Criminal Dockets, or Juvenile Cases. You can find the official court dockets here.

Key Features of Benton County Court Dockets

Courtroom Assignments: Each docket lists the specific courtroom where a case will be heard, which is crucial for litigants, attorneys, and the public to know where to go for each session.

Case Types and Schedules: The dockets indicate different case types, such as criminal, civil, family law, probate, and juvenile cases. Each case is assigned a specific time, and this can be tracked through the daily schedule.

Changes and Updates: As with all court schedules, dockets are subject to changes due to emergencies, changes in court availability, or other unforeseen events. It is essential to check the court dockets regularly for the most up-to-date information.

Benton County Superior Court Docket Overview

The Benton County Superior Court manages the most significant legal matters in the county, including criminal cases, civil disputes, family law cases, and probate matters. The daily docket for the Superior Court is available on the official Benton County website. Below is an overview of the typical docket types:

Criminal Dockets: These dockets include felony and misdemeanor cases. They typically involve charges such as theft, assault, drug offenses, and more. Court sessions for criminal cases may be scheduled at various times depending on the severity of the case.

Family Law Dockets: Family law cases involve issues such as divorce, custody, child support, and domestic violence protection orders. Family law dockets are organized by case type and priority, such as over ten-minute arguments and under ten-minute arguments.

Civil Dockets: These dockets cover non-criminal disputes between parties, such as contract disagreements, property disputes, and more.

Probate and Guardianships: Matters involving the distribution of estates, the appointment of guardians, and conservatorships are handled under the probate docket.

Juvenile Justice: Cases involving minors, including juvenile offender hearings, are part of the juvenile justice docket. These dockets are scheduled on specific days of the week and may include hearings for both juvenile offenders and dependency cases.

You can review the detailed Benton & Franklin Counties Superior Court daily schedule here.

Special Court Dockets in Benton County

In addition to the standard docket types, Benton County also handles various special dockets for specific legal matters:

Juvenile Offender Docket: This docket addresses criminal matters involving minors. Juvenile offender cases are typically heard separately from adult cases to ensure a tailored approach to juvenile justice.

Drug Court Docket: Drug Court is a specialized docket aimed at providing treatment and rehabilitation services to individuals struggling with substance abuse rather than focusing on incarceration.

Civil Protection Orders (CPO): Civil Protection Orders are granted in cases of domestic violence or harassment. The CPO docket handles these urgent matters, often scheduled within a short time frame to ensure immediate relief for the petitioners.

These specialized dockets are critical for ensuring that the court system effectively handles specific case types in a timely and organized manner. For details about these and other special dockets, you can visit the Judicial Services page here.

Participating in Court Proceedings via WebEx

With the rise of virtual hearings, Benton County has adopted WebEx for remote participation in many court proceedings. This is especially beneficial for individuals unable to attend court in person. However, there are strict guidelines and rules regarding remote participation.

WebEx Decorum: Participants are required to follow a strict code of conduct while attending court proceedings via WebEx. For example, using real names and maintaining proper decorum is mandatory.

Joining the Virtual Courtroom: Court participants can join specific courtrooms virtually via unique WebEx links provided by the court. These links are typically published on the Benton County website, under the WebEx section.

The detailed guidelines for virtual court proceedings, including instructions on how to join the virtual hearings, are available here.

How to Confirm Your Court Hearing and Docket Information

Confirming the time and location of your court hearing is critical for avoiding missed appointments and delays in your case. To confirm your hearing and docket, follow these steps:

Check Your Hearing Notice: Ensure that the notice you received lists the correct date and time for your case.

Review the Court's Docket: Visit the court's docket page to verify that your case is listed and check the courtroom assignment. You can view the weekly court docket schedules here.

Consult the Daily Schedule: The daily schedule provides a breakdown of which courtroom will hear your case at what time. Be sure to check this regularly in case there are last-minute changes.

Benton County Court Departments and Contact Information

For those seeking more information or needing assistance, here are the relevant departments in Benton County, along with their contact details:

Benton County Clerk's Office
Josie Delvin, Benton County Clerk
Benton County Justice Center
7122 W. Okanogan Place, Suite A210
Kennewick, WA 99336
Phone: 509-735-8388 (Kennewick)
Phone: 509-786-5624 (Prosser)

Benton & Franklin Counties Superior Court
Tiffany Runge, Court Administrator
Benton County Justice Center
7122 W. Okanogan Place, Suite A130
Kennewick, WA 99336
Phone: 509-736-3071

Benton County District Court
Benton County Justice Center
7122 W. Okanogan Place, Suite A110
Kennewick, WA 99336
Phone: 509-735-8476 (Kennewick)
Phone: 509-786-5480 (Prosser)
Fax: 509-736-3069

Benton County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office – District Court Division
Eric Eisinger, Benton County Prosecuting Attorney
Benton County Justice Center
7122 W. Okanogan Place, Suite A230
Kennewick, WA 99336
Phone: 509-735-3591
Fax: 509-736-3066

For further inquiries, please visit the official Benton County website or directly contact the relevant department for assistance.

Benton County Court Docket FAQs

How Can I View the Daily Court Docket in Benton County?

To stay updated on the daily schedule of court proceedings in Benton County, you can visit the official Benton County website. The Superior Court Daily Schedule provides a detailed list of cases scheduled for each day, including criminal, civil, family law, and probate matters. It's important to check this schedule regularly, as courtroom assignments may change due to various circumstances.

What Are the Specific Courtroom Assignments in Benton County?

Courtroom assignments are clearly listed in the daily docket, which indicates the time and location of each case. To find the assigned courtroom for your case, you can access the Benton County Daily Schedule. The schedule will show which courtroom each case will be heard in, ensuring that participants and the public can locate the correct room.

How Do I Confirm My Court Hearing and Docket Information?

To confirm the details of your court hearing, you should review the notice you received for your case. Additionally, you can check the weekly court docket to verify your scheduled hearing time and courtroom. It’s crucial to confirm this information regularly, as last-minute changes may occur, especially with virtual hearings.

Can I Participate in Court Hearings Remotely?

Yes, Benton County allows remote participation in certain hearings via WebEx. For instructions on how to join a hearing through WebEx, visit the WebEx Participation Guide. Be sure to follow the guidelines for decorum and ensure you have the correct login details to join the virtual courtroom.

What Are the Special Dockets in Benton County Court?

Benton County handles several special court dockets for specific cases, including Drug Court, Juvenile Offender Docket, and Civil Protection Orders (CPO). For more details about these specialized dockets, visit the official court docket page. These specialized dockets are crucial for managing cases that require unique handling, such as juvenile justice or drug rehabilitation programs.