Benton County Court Records Lookup

The following is for information purposes only

With a population of 207,560 people, Benton County is the tenth most populous county in Washington. Benton County's administrative hub is Prosser, while its most populous city, Kennewick, serves as the judicial center. The county's judicial structure comprises the Superior Court and the District Court. The Benton County Superior Court, situated in Kennewick, is a court of general jurisdiction. It has exclusive authority in addressing all felony matters, real property rights, domestic relations, estate affairs, mental health cases, juvenile proceedings, and civil cases in which the disputed amount exceeds $100,000. Additionally, the Superior Court hears appeals originating from courts of limited jurisdiction. It also maintains a specialized juvenile division that handles cases involving juvenile offenders, advocacy due to instances of abuse, neglect, or abandonment, as well as minors who are subject to civil petition proceedings for exhibiting at-risk behavior.

The Benton County District Court, situated in Kennewick, functions as a court of limited jurisdiction, operating concurrently with the Superior Court for gross misdemeanor cases. The court oversees various matters, including traffic and non-traffic violations, parking infractions, anti-harassment cases, and small claims not exceeding $5,000 for businesses or $10,000 for individuals. Additionally, the District Court shares jurisdiction with the Superior Court for civil actions involving up to $100,000. The Benton County District Court also houses three specialized courts: the Mental Health Court, Recovery Court, and Veteran Court.

In 2023, the Benton County District court system managed an impressive total of 28,106 cases, while the county's Superior Court processed 6,318 cases in the same year. These numbers clearly illustrate the vital role of an effective court system in ensuring that legal disputes and criminal matters are handled fairly and on time. This is especially significant given the crime rate of 195 incidents per 100,000 people in Benton County. Court records in Benton County are maintained and accessible to the public. The county's Court Case Record Request portal ensures residents can search court records. Note that records that include police reports, mental illness commitment, and alcohol and drug treatment commitment are exempt from public view.

In summary, the Benton County court system is committed to administering justice in various legal matters. With its dual structure comprising the Superior and District Courts and their specialized divisions, the county is well-prepared to diligently uphold its legal responsibilities and set a standard for effective judicial administration in Washington.