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Municipal Court

Show All Answers

1. How do I find my court date?

To find your court date, visit the Washington Courts website:   

1. You will need to accept the Terms and Conditions noted on the home page.
2. On the next page, select Battle Ground Municipal Court from the drop-down menu and enter your name

2. What do I do if I have been called to jury duty?

If you have been selected to be a juror, you will have received a Juror Questionnaire in the mail, along with instructions. Information will be provided for the time period you have been selected to serve and when you should begin to call in for your jury term. You will also be instructed to complete the Juror Questionnaire and return it to the court as soon as possible. You may return the form in person, by mail or fax or email to court.info@cityofbg.org. Jury terms will be for two weeks. Your juror number will be listed at the top of your Juror Questionnaire. Please contact court staff at (360) 342-5150 with any questions.

3. I received a traffic infraction, what do I do?

There are three options to take care of a traffic ticket. Please note your choice on the back of the ticket.

• Pay the ticket.
• Mitigated Hearing - admit that you committed the infraction but have an explanation for the circumstances. You can send your explanation through the mail or you can give your explanation in person by requesting a hearing. /li>
• Contested Hearing - challenge the infraction and request a court date to see the judge.

4. When is Court in Session?

Court is conducted every Thursday, beginning at 8:30 am, excluding Holidays when court my be conducted on Wednesday. Please contact court staff if you have any questions regarding your court date at 360-342-5150.

5. Can I make a payment online or by phone?

Yes, online payments and phone payments are accepted and processed by Certified Payments.

Making a payment over the phone:

Call the number 1-866-549-1010
The phone system will ask for a Bureau Code and a Reference Number
   The Bureau Code for the City of Battle Ground is: 7542884
   The Reference Number is your citation number

Making a payment online:

www.cityofbg.org/courtpayment
Click continue to ensure you are paying a City of Battle Ground fee/fine
Enter the payment amount
Enter your case number
Enter your name in the comments box
Select the card type
Enter the credit card information
Click ‘I Agree’ if you agree to the charges
Click the ‘I am not a robot’ box
Review the information and, if correct, click process payment.

6. Can I reschedule my court date? Can I get a different time?

Generally infractions can be rescheduled one time. To find out if you are able to reschedule a hearing, call (360) 342-5150. Criminal citations involving alcohol or domestic violence cannot be rescheduled.

7. What is an arraignment?

An arraignment is the first appearance before the court for a criminal citation

8. What happens if I fail to appear?

If you fail to appear for a hearing, a warrant for your arrest. If you have been charged with a driving offense, action to suspend your driver's license will be taken.

9. Can I find out if I have a warrant(s)?

Battle Ground Municipal Court can provide you with information on outstanding warrants, for Battle Ground, La Center and Ridgefield misdemeanor cases. Call court staff at (360) 342-5150 for information regarding outstanding warrants.

10. If I come into court for my warrant will I go to jail?

It will depend upon certain circumstances whether or not you are taken into custody.

11. Where can I make a payment after 5:00 pm?

You may drop your payment off, and put it in the City Water drop box, outside of City Hall. It must be in a sealed envelope marked "Battle Ground Court" with your name and case number if known clearly marked on the check or money order. Never leave cash. 

You may also call Certified Payments at 1-866-549-1010 or pay online at the Certified Payments website to pay with a debit or credit card. Certified Payments charges a 3rd-party fee for usage.

Making a payment over the phone:

Call the number 1-866-549-1010
The phone system will ask for a Bureau Code and a Reference Number
The Bureau Code for the City of Battle Ground is: 7542884
The Reference Number is your citation number

Making a payment online:

www.cityofbg.org/courtpayment
Click continue to ensure you are paying a City of Battle Ground fee/fine
Enter the payment amount
Enter your case number
Enter your name in the comments box
Select the card type
Enter the credit card information
Click ‘I Agree’ if you agree to the charges
Click the ‘I am not a robot’ box
Review the information and, if correct, click process payment.

12. Can I pay with a credit or debit card?

Yes, card payments are accepted by Certified Payments. Certified Payments charges a 3rd-party fee for usage.

Making a payment over the phone:

Call the number 1-866-549-1010
The phone system will ask for a Bureau Code and a Reference Number
   The Bureau Code for the City of Battle Ground is: 7542884
   The Reference Number is your citation number

Making a payment online:

www.cityofbg.org/courtpayment
Click continue to ensure you are paying a City of Battle Ground fee/fine
Enter the payment amount
Enter your case number
Enter your name in the comments box
Select the card type
Enter the credit card information
Click ‘I Agree’ if you agree to the charges
Click the ‘I am not a robot’ box
Review the information and, if correct, click process payment.

13. Can I make monthly payments?

Yes, but you must make the request to the court clerk. There will be a $25 time pay fee added to the total amount due. Payments begin 30 days after the request and will be set no less than $25 a month.

14. I can't make my payments, what should I do?

Generally you will have 15 days to pay your fine. A monthly time payment arrangement may also be available. Please contact Battle Ground Municipal Court staff, call (360) 342-5150 or email at court.info@cityofbg.org before the due date. Visit court offices between the hours of 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday excluding holidays.

15. What happens if I miss my payment?

If you are charged with a driving offense, fail to make your payments, and you become (2) months past due, the court will start the collection process. Action will be taken to suspend your driver's license until your ticket is paid in full.

If your case is a non-driving offense, and you become (2) months past due, the court will start the collection process.

16. Why is my ticket at collections?

Fines are sent to collections when they become delinquent. The account becomes delinquent when it is not paid within the time frame given by the court.

17. Can I do community service in lieu of payments?

For traffic infractions the fine amount must be paid. No form of community service will be accepted. For criminal violations, community service would have to be authorized by the judge.

18. Does the Court defer tickets?

Yes. The court may defer a finding on certain infractions. There are many variables whether a driver is deferred eligible so you will need to contact the court to see if you qualify. Call court staff at (360) 342-5150 to inquire. A deferred ticket is monitored for 12 months and if no additional tickets are issued, the Department of Licensing is not notified of the ticket. A driver may receive one deferred ticket every 7 years.

19. How do I keep the traffic infraction off of my driving record?

You may qualify for a deferred ticket. Please call Battle Ground Municipal Court at (360) 342-5150 to see if you qualify for a deferred finding. A deferred ticket is monitored for 12 months and if no additional tickets are received, the deferred ticket will not be forwarded to the Department of Licensing. A driver may only receive one deferred ticket every 7 years.

20. How do I request Court documents?

You may request copies of court documents, in person, by phone (360) 342-5150, fax (360) 342-5159, e-mail at court.info@cityofbg.org, or mail. Please provide the case number and what court documents you need copies of. If you request copies of court documents in person you will need to complete a Public Records Request Form, and again, you will need to be specific of what documents you need copies of. Once the request has been submitted, the court has five (5) business days to complete the process or notify the requestor of the estimated time to complete will be. The court will contact you once the request is completed, and at that time the clerk will advise you of the costs, which will then need to be paid before releasing the copies.

21. How do I find out if someone is in jail?

You will need to call Clark County Jail Records at (360) 397-2211 or you may go to their website at- http://www.co.clark.wa.us./Sheriff/custody/Roster.htm

22. How do I clear my license after I pay the fines?

Once the fines have been paid and the court has been notified, staff will issue an adjudication slip. You can come to Battle Ground Municipal Court to pick up the adjudication slip which you will need to take to the Department of Licensing. Please call (360) 342-5150 before you come in to ensure staff has received the appropriate information from the collection agency, to release the suspension on your driver's license.

23. Do you have the phone number for other courts?

Please check the following website for court contact information. http://www.courts.wa.gov/

24. How do I get a No Contact Order dropped?

If the no contact order was issued through the Battle Ground Municipal Court, you will need to complete a "Protected Party's Motion to Rescind/Modify No Contact Order" from the court office. Include your current phone number and mailing address. The Judge and the Prosecutor will review the motion and set a hearing if necessary. The "Protected Party" (victim) will be notified of the scheduled hearing date and time, and/or Denial of Motion.