Appeals

What types of cases can be appealed?

The final decision of a municipal court judge may be appealed in the following types of cases: civil matters, criminal traffic or criminal non-traffic matters, and contested hearings heard in open court on an infraction. The law does not provide for a right to appeal after a mitigation hearing on an infraction, nor does the law allow for an appeal after a hearing by mail.

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How to Initiate an Appeal

The appeal is initiated by filing a Notice of Appeal and Designation of Record form with the Fife Municipal Court within 30 days after the decision. A party filing a notice of appeal shall immediately serve a copy of the notice on all other parties.

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Fees

• In appeals of criminal cases, no initial filing fee is due; however, fees may be imposed on the defendant if the defendant loses or abandons the appeal.
• In civil appeals, a $230 filing fee must be paid. This fee is payable to the Court in cash or by cashiers’ check or money order. No personal checks are accepted.
• The Court may set an appeal bond at a reasonable sum, or the Court may determine that enforcement of the sentence should be stayed without cash bail or bond.
• The record processing fee is $40.00 per case on appeal. This includes one copy of all recordings of the court proceeding. If you require additional copies of the court proceedings, there is an additional $10.00 per CD.

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Additional Information

From this point on you must proceed according to the Washington Court Rules for Appeal, see www.courts.wa.gov. Clerks are unable to give legal advice according to statute.