INCOME OF COURT

RCW 3.62
in effect

RCW 3.62.010 Suspension of fine or penalty.

The district court may at the time of sentencing or at any time thereafter suspend a portion or all of a fine or penalty. The district court may at the time of sentencing or at any time thereafter suspend a portion or all of a fine or penalty.

RCW 3.62.020 Costs, fees, fines, forfeitures, and penalties except city cases — Disposition — Interest.

(1) Except as provided in subsection (4) of this section, all costs, fees, fines, forfeitures and penalties assessed and collected in whole or in part by district courts, except costs, fines, forfeitures and penalties assessed and collected, in whole or in part, because of the violation of city ordinances, shall be remitted by the clerk of the district court to the county treasurer at least monthly, together with a financial statement as required by the state auditor, noting the information necessary for crediting of such funds as required by law. (2) Except as provided in RCW 9A.88.120 , 10.99.080 , * 7.84.100 (4), and this section, the county treasurer shall remit thirty-two percent of the noninterest money received under subsection (1) of this section except certain costs to the state treasurer. "Certain costs" as used in this subsection, means those costs awarded to prevailing parties in civil actions under RCW 4.84.010 or 36.18.040 , or those costs awarded against convicted defendants in criminal actions under RCW 10.01.160 , 10.46.190 , or 36.18.040 , or other similar statutes if such costs are specifically designated as costs by the court and are awarded for the specific reimbursement of costs incurred by the state or county in the prosecution of the case, including the fees of defense counsel. With the exception of funds to be transferred to the judicial stabilization trust account under RCW 3.62.060 (2), money remitted under this subsection to the state treasurer shall be deposited in the state general fund. (3) The balance of the noninterest money received by the county treasurer under subsection (1) of this section shall be deposited in the county current expense fund. Funds deposited under this subsection that are attributable to the county's portion of a surcharge imposed under RCW 3.62.060 (2) must be used to support local trial court and court-related functions. (4) Except as provided in *RCW 7.84.100 (4), all money collected for county parking infractions shall be remitted by the clerk of the district court at least monthly, with the information required under subsection (1) of this section, to the county treasurer for deposit in the county current expense fund. (5)(a) Except as provided in (b) of this subsection, penalties, fines, fees, and costs may accrue interest at the rate of twelve percent per annum, upon assignment to a collection agency. Interest may accrue only while the case is in collection status. (b) As of June 7, 2018, penalties, fines, bail forfeitures, fees, and costs imposed against a defendant in a criminal proceeding shall not accrue interest. (6) Interest retained by the court on penalties, fines, bail forfeitures, fees, and costs shall be split twenty-five percent to the state treasurer for deposit in the state general fund, twenty-five percent to the state treasurer for deposit in the judicial information system account as provided in RCW 2.68.020 , twenty-five percent to the county current expense fund, and twenty-five percent to the county current expense fund to fund local courts. (1) Except as provided in subsection (4) of this section, all costs, fees, fines, forfeitures and penalties assessed and collected in whole or in part by district courts, except costs, fines, forfeitures and penalties assessed and collected, in whole or in part, because of the violation of city ordinances, shall be remitted by the clerk of the district court to the county treasurer at least monthly, together with a financial statement as required by the state auditor, noting the information necessary for crediting of such funds as required by law. (2) Except as provided in RCW 9A.88.120 , 10.99.080 , * 7.84.100 (4), and this section, the county treasurer shall remit thirty-two percent of the noninterest money received under subsection (1) of this section except certain costs to the state treasurer. "Certain costs" as used in this subsection, means those costs awarded to prevailing parties in civil actions under RCW 4.84.010 or 36.18.040 , or those costs awarded against convicted defendants in criminal actions under RCW 10.01.160 , 10.46.190 , or 36.18.040 , or other similar statutes if such costs are specifically designated as costs by the court and are awarded for the specific reimbursement of costs incurred by the state or county in the prosecution of the case, including the fees of defense counsel. With the exception of funds to be transferred to the judicial stabilization trust account under RCW 3.62.060 (2), money remitted under this subsection to the state treasurer shall be deposited in the state general fund. (3) The balance of the noninterest money received by the county treasurer under subsection (1) of this section shall be deposited in the county current expense fund. Funds deposited under this subsection that are attributable to the county's portion of a surcharge imposed under RCW 3.62.060 (2) must be used to support local trial court and court-related functions. (4) Except as provided in *RCW 7.84.100 (4), all money collected for county parking infractions shall be remitted by the clerk of the district court at least monthly, with the information required under subsection (1) of this section, to the county treasurer for deposit in the county current expense fund. (5)(a) Except as provided in (b) of this subsection, penalties, fines, fees, and costs may accrue interest at the rate of twelve percent per annum, upon assignment to a collection agency. Interest may accrue only while the case is in collection status. (b) As of June 7, 2018, penalties, fines, bail forfeitures, fees, and costs imposed against a defendant in a criminal proceeding shall not accrue interest. (6) Interest retained by the court on penalties, fines, bail forfeitures, fees, and costs shall be split twenty-five percent to the state treasurer for deposit in the state general fund, twenty-five percent to the state treasurer for deposit in the judicial information system account as provided in RCW 2.68.020 , twenty-five percent to the county current expense fund, and twenty-five percent to the county current expense fund to fund local courts.

RCW 3.62.040 Costs, fines, forfeitures, and penalties from city cases — Disposition — Interest.

(1) Except as provided in subsection (4) of this section, all costs, fines, forfeitures and penalties assessed and collected, in whole or in part, by district courts because of violations of city ordinances shall be remitted by the clerk of the district court at least monthly directly to the treasurer of the city wherein the violation occurred. (2) Except as provided in RCW 9A.88.120 and 10.99.080 , the city treasurer shall remit monthly thirty-two percent of the noninterest money received under this section, other than for parking infractions and certain costs, to the state treasurer. "Certain costs" as used in this subsection, means those costs awarded to prevailing parties in civil actions under RCW 4.84.010 or 36.18.040 , or those costs awarded against convicted defendants in criminal actions under RCW 10.01.160 , 10.46.190 , or 36.18.040 , or other similar statutes if such costs are specifically designated as costs by the court and are awarded for the specific reimbursement of costs incurred by the state, county, city, or town in the prosecution of the case, including the fees of defense counsel. Money remitted under this subsection to the state treasurer shall be deposited in the state general fund. (3) The balance of the noninterest money received under this section shall be retained by the city and deposited as provided by law. (4) All money collected for city parking infractions shall be remitted by the clerk of the district court at least monthly to the city treasurer for deposit in the city's general fund. (5)(a) Except as provided in (b) of this subsection, penalties, fines, fees, and costs may accrue interest at the rate of twelve percent per annum, upon assignment to a collection agency. Interest may accrue only while the case is in collection status. (b) As of June 7, 2018, penalties, fines, bail forfeitures, fees, and costs imposed against a defendant in a criminal proceeding shall not accrue interest. (6) Interest retained by the court on penalties, fines, bail forfeitures, fees, and costs shall be split twenty-five percent to the state treasurer for deposit in the state general fund, twenty-five percent to the state treasurer for deposit in the judicial information system account as provided in RCW 2.68.020 , twenty-five percent to the city general fund, and twenty-five percent to the city general fund to fund local courts. (1) Except as provided in subsection (4) of this section, all costs, fines, forfeitures and penalties assessed and collected, in whole or in part, by district courts because of violations of city ordinances shall be remitted by the clerk of the district court at least monthly directly to the treasurer of the city wherein the violation occurred. (2) Except as provided in RCW 9A.88.120 and 10.99.080 , the city treasurer shall remit monthly thirty-two percent of the noninterest money received under this section, other than for parking infractions and certain costs, to the state treasurer. "Certain costs" as used in this subsection, means those costs awarded to prevailing parties in civil actions under RCW 4.84.010 or 36.18.040 , or those costs awarded against convicted defendants in criminal actions under RCW 10.01.160 , 10.46.190 , or 36.18.040 , or other similar statutes if such costs are specifically designated as costs by the court and are awarded for the specific reimbursement of costs incurred by the state, county, city, or town in the prosecution of the case, including the fees of defense counsel. Money remitted under this subsection to the state treasurer shall be deposited in the state general fund. (3) The balance of the noninterest money received under this section shall be retained by the city and deposited as provided by law. (4) All money collected for city parking infractions shall be remitted by the clerk of the district court at least monthly to the city treasurer for deposit in the city's general fund. (5)(a) Except as provided in (b) of this subsection, penalties, fines, fees, and costs may accrue interest at the rate of twelve percent per annum, upon assignment to a collection agency. Interest may accrue only while the case is in collection status. (b) As of June 7, 2018, penalties, fines, bail forfeitures, fees, and costs imposed against a defendant in a criminal proceeding shall not accrue interest. (6) Interest retained by the court on penalties, fines, bail forfeitures, fees, and costs shall be split twenty-five percent to the state treasurer for deposit in the state general fund, twenty-five percent to the state treasurer for deposit in the judicial information system account as provided in RCW 2.68.020 , twenty-five percent to the city general fund, and twenty-five percent to the city general fund to fund local courts.

RCW 3.62.050 Court expenditures to be paid from county current expense fund — Exception.

The total expenditures of the district courts, including the cost of providing courtroom and office space, the cost of probation and parole services and any personnel employment therefor, and the cost of providing services necessary for the preparation and presentation of a defense at public expense, except costs of defense to be paid by a city pursuant to RCW 3.62.070 and the portion of district court judges' salaries distributed by the administrator for the courts pursuant to RCW 2.56.030 , shall be paid from the county current expense fund. The total expenditures of the district courts, including the cost of providing courtroom and office space, the cost of probation and parole services and any personnel employment therefor, and the cost of providing services necessary for the preparation and presentation of a defense at public expense, except costs of defense to be paid by a city pursuant to RCW 3.62.070 and the portion of district court judges' salaries distributed by the administrator for the courts pursuant to RCW 2.56.030 , shall be paid from the county current expense fund.

RCW 3.62.060 Filing fees in civil cases — Surcharge — Fees allowed as court costs.

(1) Clerks of the district courts shall collect the following fees for their official services: (a) In any civil action commenced before or transferred to a district court, the plaintiff shall, at the time of such commencement or transfer, pay to such court a filing fee of forty-three dollars plus any surcharge authorized by RCW 7.75.035 . Any party filing a counterclaim, cross-claim, or third-party claim in such action shall pay to the court a filing fee of forty-three dollars plus any surcharge authorized by RCW 7.75.035 . No party shall be compelled to pay to the court any other fees or charges up to and including the rendition of judgment in the action other than those listed. (b) For issuing a writ of garnishment or other writ, or for filing an attorney issued writ of garnishment, a fee of twelve dollars. (c) For filing a supplemental proceeding a fee of twenty dollars. (d) For demanding a jury in a civil case a fee of one hundred twenty-five dollars to be paid by the person demanding a jury. (e) For preparing a transcript of a judgment a fee of twenty dollars. (f) For certifying any document on file or of record in the clerk's office a fee of five dollars. (g) At the option of the district court: (i) For preparing a certified copy of an instrument on file or of record in the clerk's office, for the first page or portion of the first page, a fee of five dollars, and for each additional page or portion of a page, a fee of one dollar; (ii) For authenticating or exemplifying an instrument, a fee of two dollars for each additional seal affixed; (iii) For preparing a copy of an instrument on file or of record in the clerk's office without a seal, a fee of fifty cents per page; (iv) When copying a document without a seal or file that is in an electronic format, a fee of twenty-five cents per page; (v) For copies made on a compact disc, an additional fee of twenty dollars for each compact disc. (h) For preparing the record of a case for appeal to superior court a fee of forty dollars including any costs of tape duplication as governed by the rules of appeal for courts of limited jurisdiction (RALJ). (i) At the option of the district court, for clerk's services such as processing ex parte orders, performing historical searches, compiling statistical reports, and conducting exceptional record searches, a fee not to exceed twenty dollars per hour or portion of an hour. (j) For duplication of part or all of the electronic recording of a proceeding ten dollars per tape or other electronic storage medium. (k) For filing any abstract of judgment or transcript of judgment from a municipal court or municipal department of a district court organized under the laws of this state a fee of forty-three dollars. (l) At the option of the district court, a service fee of up to three dollars for the first page and one dollar for each additional page for receiving faxed documents, pursuant to Washington state rules of court, general rule 17. (2)(a) In addition to the fees required to be collected under this section, clerks of the district courts must collect a surcharge of thirty dollars on all fees required to be collected under subsection (1)(a) of this section. (b) Seventy-five percent of each surcharge collected under this subsection (2) must be remitted to the state treasurer for deposit in the judicial stabilization trust account. (c) Twenty-five percent of each surcharge collected under this subsection (2) must be retained by the county. (3) The fees or charges imposed under this section shall be allowed as court costs whenever a judgment for costs is awarded. (1) Clerks of the district courts shall collect the following fees for their official services: (a) In any civil action commenced before or transferred to a district court, the plaintiff shall, at the time of such commencement or transfer, pay to such court a filing fee of forty-three dollars plus any surcharge authorized by RCW 7.75.035 . Any party filing a counterclaim, cross-claim, or third-party claim in such action shall pay to the court a filing fee of forty-three dollars plus any surcharge authorized by RCW 7.75.035 . No party shall be compelled to pay to the court any other fees or charges up to and including the rendition of judgment in the action other than those listed. (b) For issuing a writ of garnishment or other writ, or for filing an attorney issued writ of garnishment, a fee of twelve dollars. (c) For filing a supplemental proceeding a fee of twenty dollars. (d) For demanding a jury in a civil case a fee of one hundred twenty-five dollars to be paid by the person demanding a jury. (e) For preparing a transcript of a judgment a fee of twenty dollars. (f) For certifying any document on file or of record in the clerk's office a fee of five dollars. (g) At the option of the district court: (i) For preparing a certified copy of an instrument on file or of record in the clerk's office, for the first page or portion of the first page, a fee of five dollars, and for each additional page or portion of a page, a fee of one dollar; (ii) For authenticating or exemplifying an instrument, a fee of two dollars for each additional seal affixed; (iii) For preparing a copy of an instrument on file or of record in the clerk's office without a seal, a fee of fifty cents per page; (iv) When copying a document without a seal or file that is in an electronic format, a fee of twenty-five cents per page; (v) For copies made on a compact disc, an additional fee of twenty dollars for each compact disc. (h) For preparing the record of a case for appeal to superior court a fee of forty dollars including any costs of tape duplication as governed by the rules of appeal for courts of limited jurisdiction (RALJ). (i) At the option of the district court, for clerk's services such as processing ex parte orders, performing historical searches, compiling statistical reports, and conducting exceptional record searches, a fee not to exceed twenty dollars per hour or portion of an hour. (j) For duplication of part or all of the electronic recording of a proceeding ten dollars per tape or other electronic storage medium. (k) For filing any abstract of judgment or transcript of judgment from a municipal court or municipal department of a district court organized under the laws of this state a fee of forty-three dollars. (l) At the option of the district court, a service fee of up to three dollars for the first page and one dollar for each additional page for receiving faxed documents, pursuant to Washington state rules of court, general rule 17. (2)(a) In addition to the fees required to be collected under this section, clerks of the district courts must collect a surcharge of thirty dollars on all fees required to be collected under subsection (1)(a) of this section. (b) Seventy-five percent of each surcharge collected under this subsection (2) must be remitted to the state treasurer for deposit in the judicial stabilization trust account. (c) Twenty-five percent of each surcharge collected under this subsection (2) must be retained by the county. (3) The fees or charges imposed under this section shall be allowed as court costs whenever a judgment for costs is awarded.

RCW 3.62.065 Fees allowed as court costs.

All courts organized under Title 3 or 35 RCW may charge fees as prescribed in RCW 3.62.060 . The fees or charges imposed under this section shall be allowed as court costs whenever a judgment for costs is awarded. All courts organized under Title 3 or 35 RCW may charge fees as prescribed in RCW 3.62.060 . The fees or charges imposed under this section shall be allowed as court costs whenever a judgment for costs is awarded.

RCW 3.62.070 Filing fees in criminal cases and traffic infractions — Arbitration if no agreement.

Except in traffic cases wherein bail is forfeited or a monetary penalty paid to a violations bureau, and except in cases filed in municipal departments established pursuant to chapter 3.46 RCW and except in cases where a city has contracted with another city for such services pursuant to chapter 39.34 RCW, in every criminal or traffic infraction action filed by a city for an ordinance violation, the city shall be charged a filing fee. Fees shall be determined pursuant to an agreement as provided for in chapter 39.34 RCW, the interlocal cooperation act, between the city and the county providing the court service. In such criminal or traffic infraction actions the cost of providing services necessary for the preparation and presentation of a defense at public expense are not within the filing fee and shall be paid by the city. In all other criminal or traffic infraction actions, no filing fee shall be assessed or collected: PROVIDED, That in such cases, for the purposes of RCW 3.62.010 , four dollars or the agreed filing fee of each fine or penalty, whichever is greater, shall be deemed filing costs. In the event no agreement is reached between a city and the county providing the court service, either party may invoke binding arbitration on the fee issue by notice to the other party. In the case of establishing initial fees, the notice shall be thirty days. In the case of renewal or proposed nonrenewal, the notice shall be given one hundred twenty days prior to the expiration of the existing contract. In the event that such issue is submitted to arbitration, the arbitrator or arbitrators shall only consider those additional costs borne by the county in providing district court services for such city. The city and the county shall each select one arbitrator, the two of whom shall pick a third arbitrator. The existing contract shall remain in effect until a new agreement is reached or until an arbitration award is made. Except in traffic cases wherein bail is forfeited or a monetary penalty paid to a violations bureau, and except in cases filed in municipal departments established pursuant to chapter 3.46 RCW and except in cases where a city has contracted with another city for such services pursuant to chapter 39.34 RCW, in every criminal or traffic infraction action filed by a city for an ordinance violation, the city shall be charged a filing fee. Fees shall be determined pursuant to an agreement as provided for in chapter 39.34 RCW, the interlocal cooperation act, between the city and the county providing the court service. In such criminal or traffic infraction actions the cost of providing services necessary for the preparation and presentation of a defense at public expense are not within the filing fee and shall be paid by the city. In all other criminal or traffic infraction actions, no filing fee shall be assessed or collected: PROVIDED, That in such cases, for the purposes of RCW 3.62.010 , four dollars or the agreed filing fee of each fine or penalty, whichever is greater, shall be deemed filing costs. In the event no agreement is reached between a city and the county providing the court service, either party may invoke binding arbitration on the fee issue by notice to the other party. In the case of establishing initial fees, the notice shall be thirty days. In the case of renewal or proposed nonrenewal, the notice shall be given one hundred twenty days prior to the expiration of the existing contract. In the event that such issue is submitted to arbitration, the arbitrator or arbitrators shall only consider those additional costs borne by the county in providing district court services for such city. The city and the county shall each select one arbitrator, the two of whom shall pick a third arbitrator. The existing contract shall remain in effect until a new agreement is reached or until an arbitration award is made.

RCW 3.62.085 Fee for conviction or plea of guilty.

Upon conviction or a plea of guilty in any court organized under this title or Title 35 RCW, a defendant in a criminal case is liable for a fee of $43, except this fee shall not be imposed on a defendant who is indigent as defined in RCW 10.01.160 (3). This fee shall be subject to division with the state under RCW * 3.46.120 (2), 3.50.100 (2), 3.62.020 (2), 3.62.040 (2), and 35.20.220 (2). Upon conviction or a plea of guilty in any court organized under this title or Title 35 RCW, a defendant in a criminal case is liable for a fee of $43, except this fee shall not be imposed on a defendant who is indigent as defined in RCW 10.01.160 (3). This fee shall be subject to division with the state under RCW * 3.46.120 (2), 3.50.100 (2), 3.62.020 (2), 3.62.040 (2), and 35.20.220 (2).

RCW 3.62.090 Public safety and education assessment — Amount.

(1) There shall be assessed and collected in addition to any fines, forfeitures, or penalties assessed, other than for parking infractions, by all courts organized under Title 3 or 35 RCW a public safety and education assessment equal to seventy percent of such fines, forfeitures, or penalties, which shall be remitted as provided in chapters 3.46 , 3.50, 3.62, and 35.20 RCW. The assessment required by this section shall not be suspended or waived by the court. (2) There shall be assessed and collected in addition to any fines, forfeitures, or penalties assessed, other than for parking infractions and for fines levied under RCW 46.61.5055 , and in addition to the public safety and education assessment required under subsection (1) of this section, by all courts organized under Title 3 or 35 RCW, an additional public safety and education assessment equal to fifty percent of the public safety and education assessment required under subsection (1) of this section, which shall be remitted to the state treasurer and deposited as provided in RCW 43.08.250 . The additional assessment required by this subsection shall not be suspended or waived by the court. (3) This section does not apply to the fee imposed under RCW 46.63.110 (7), the penalty imposed under RCW 46.63.110 (8), the additional penalty imposed under RCW 46.20.500 , the additional fine imposed under RCW 46.61.110 , 46.61.145 , 46.61.180 , 46.61.185 , 46.61.190 , and 46.61.205 , or the penalty assessment imposed under RCW 10.99.080 . This section does not apply to the additional monetary penalties under RCW 46.61.165 . (1) There shall be assessed and collected in addition to any fines, forfeitures, or penalties assessed, other than for parking infractions, by all courts organized under Title 3 or 35 RCW a public safety and education assessment equal to seventy percent of such fines, forfeitures, or penalties, which shall be remitted as provided in chapters 3.46 , 3.50, 3.62, and 35.20 RCW. The assessment required by this section shall not be suspended or waived by the court. (2) There shall be assessed and collected in addition to any fines, forfeitures, or penalties assessed, other than for parking infractions and for fines levied under RCW 46.61.5055 , and in addition to the public safety and education assessment required under subsection (1) of this section, by all courts organized under Title 3 or 35 RCW, an additional public safety and education assessment equal to fifty percent of the public safety and education assessment required under subsection (1) of this section, which shall be remitted to the state treasurer and deposited as provided in RCW 43.08.250 . The additional assessment required by this subsection shall not be suspended or waived by the court. (3) This section does not apply to the fee imposed under RCW 46.63.110 (7), the penalty imposed under RCW 46.63.110 (8), the additional penalty imposed under RCW 46.20.500 , the additional fine imposed under RCW 46.61.110 , 46.61.145 , 46.61.180 , 46.61.185 , 46.61.190 , and 46.61.205 , or the penalty assessment imposed under RCW 10.99.080 . This section does not apply to the additional monetary penalties under RCW 46.61.165 .

RCW 3.62.100 Promotion of efficiency.

District courts shall take all steps necessary to promote efficiencies in calendaring in order to minimize costs to cities that use the district courts. Cities shall cooperate with the district courts in order to minimize those costs. District courts shall take all steps necessary to promote efficiencies in calendaring in order to minimize costs to cities that use the district courts. Cities shall cooperate with the district courts in order to minimize those costs.
Source: WA Statutes (Official Site)URL: https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=3.62&full=trueFetched: 6/28/2026