District Court Probation and Community Services

The mission of the Skagit County Community Court is to build stronger and safer communities by providing accountability with help for individuals involved in the criminal justice system to reduce and properly address quality-of-life offenses by utilizing a collaborative, problem-solving approach to crime. Community Court aspires to hold participants accountable, address factors impacting participants’ criminal behavior, provide access to local resources and increasing community safety.

The goals of the program are to promote community safety, reduce recidivism and substance abuse among offenders, and increase the likelihood of successful rehabilitation by implementing a blend of treatment, supervision, appropriate sanctions, and incentives.

What is Community Court?

Community courts are specialty courts that use a combined strategy of holding participants accountable while connecting them to social services to help address the root causes of crime. Skagit County’s community court takes an individual and trauma-informed approach rather than the traditional punitive approach typically seen in the criminal justice system.

What are the Goals of Community Court?

Provide practical, targeted solutions rather than traditional punishment.  Work within the community to find partners in housing services, education, employment, alcohol and drug rehabilitation, mental health services, veterans services as well as other pro social connections.  The overall goal is to restore the person and community.

VIDEO: A Novel Approach To Justice: Community Court 

Where is the Community Court located?

The office is located at:
The Parker Building
1700 East College Way
Mount Vernon, WA 98273
(360) 416-1275

How can I best contact the Community Court team?

Office hours are M-F 8:30a-4:30pm, closed for lunch daily from Noon-1p.

Mailing Address is:

1700 East College Way
Mount Vernon, WA 98273

Email Address is:

communitycourt@co.skagit.wa.us

When is Community Court?

District Community Court is held each Tuesday morning from 10a-Noon. 

Larry E. Moller Public Safety Bldg.
600 S. Third
Mount Vernon, WA 98273

Anacortes Community Court is held the 2nd and 4th Thursday each month in the afternoon from 1:30p-3p.

Anacortes Police and Court Complex
1218 24th Street
Anacortes, WA 98221

Burlington Community Court is held the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Wednesday each month in the afternoon from 1:30p-3:30p.

Burlington Municipal Court
311 Cedar Street, Suite A
Burlington, WA 98233

Mount Vernon Community Court is held each Tuesday afternoon from 1:30p-3:30p.

The Parker Building
1700 East College Way
Mount Vernon, WA 98273
(360) 416-1275

Sedro Woolley Community Court is held the 1st Thursday each month in the afternoon from 1:30p-3:30p.

Sedro Woolley Community Court
325 Metcalf Street
Sedro Woolley, WA 98284

Message from the Bench

“As a Court Commissioner for Skagit County since 2017 and now Presiding Judge, I have seen the effects of low-level non-violent misdemeanor crimes have on the community and I am excited to have a new alternative to the traditional court system that will both assist the offender and benefit the Skagit County community.”

-Presiding Judge Jenifer Howson, Skagit County Community Court

Links to National and Local Community Court Programs:

• Community Courts Program | Overview | Bureau of Justice Assistance (ojp.gov)
• Center for Court Innovation
• Community Court (olympiawa.gov)
• Community Courts - King County

Interested in Volunteering or Interning with the Community Court?  Please contact Program Coordinator Jason Korneliussen, Jasonpk@co.skagit.wa.us