Municipal Court

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Kent Municipal Court surrounded by autumn trees

 

 Mission Statement:

Our mission is to serve the public by providing a fair and efficient system of justice committed to excellence, fostering public trust, understanding, and confidence.  The Kent Municipal Court strives to be a truly independent branch of government. We're dedicated to providing a fair and responsive system of justice while protecting rights and liberties. We uphold, interpret and apply the law in a manner that treats all persons with dignity and respect.

Reach the Municipal Court

  • telephone
    253-856-5730
  • Fax
    253-856-6730
  • envelope
  • geo-alt
    1220 Central Ave. S
    Kent, WA 98032
  • clock
    Monday - Friday
    8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
 

Kent Municipal Court is utilizing the Zoom platform for limited court hearings.

If you received Zoom instructions with your hearing notice, you may appear via Zoom for that hearing.  Anyone who is unable to appear by Zoom for any reason must appear in person at the court. 

View general instructions for Zoom. Zoom also has a number of help articles and video tutorials. Please be sure to test your connection and audio well in advance of your hearing. First time users may be prompted to download the Zoom software, and should plan accordingly.

All participants are reminded that you are appearing in a virtual courtroom. Your demeanor and your surroundings should reflect the serious nature of court proceedings. You must have a good connection and remain stationary and attentive during court proceedings. 

 PLEASE REVIEW YOUR HEARING NOTICE AND CLICK BELOW THE CORRESPONDING COURTROOM FOR ZOOM INSTRUCTIONS

 Have an outstanding Bench Warrant from Kent Municipal Court?

Appear in-person at our front counter Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. to complete bench warrant paperwork.  Your paperwork will be directly forwarded to the Judge for review to determine if the warrant will be quashed and hearing reset.  Any questions, please contact the court at 253-856-5730 ext. 8

If you received a summons to appear for jury service at the Kent Municipal Court, you must complete one of the forms below.

If you cannot afford a lawyer, you can be screened to see if you qualify for a public defender at the Kent Municipal Court.

When:

Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.

Please have the following information for the screener:

  • Kent Municipal Court Case Number
  • Court Date(s)
  • Charge(s)
  • Verification of income (pay stub)
  • Proof of child support (court document, check receipts, etc.)

The screener will determine if you qualify for a court appointed lawyer pursuant to state and federal guidelines.

Judge Michael R. Frans

Kent Municipal Court Judge Michael FransJudge Frans was appointed to the Kent Municipal Court as Court Commissioner in 2018 prior to becoming Judge on January 1, 2019. He is currently the Presiding Judge of the Kent Municipal Court.

Judge Frans considers it a privilege and an honor to serve the City of Kent as Municipal Court Judge. Before becoming judge, he had nearly 20 years’ experience in private practice as a trial lawyer. He has received the highest judicial rating of “Exceptionally Well Qualified” by the King County Bar Association, the Loren Miller Bar Association; the Latina/o Bar Association; the QLAW Association; the Washington Women Lawyers Bar Association; the Cardoza Society of Washington; and the joint Asian Judicial Evaluation Committee.

Judge Frans graduated from Central Washington University with a BA in Law and Justice. He received his Juris Doctor Degree from Seattle University School of Law in 1999. 

Judge Frans strives to have a positive impact in this community every day he takes the bench. He works hard to ensure that all individuals coming before the Court are treated with dignity and respect.

Judge Anthony David Gipe

20191211_Judge Anthony _3Judge Gipe was appointed to the Kent Municipal Court bench as the Court Commissioner in 2019 prior to becoming Judge on January 1, 2020. He was elected to a full four-year term in 2021.

Judge Gipe came to the law after a career as a linguist and intelligence analyst for the U.S. Navy, and is a veteran of the Gulf War.  He graduated from University of Washington School of Law in 2000.

Judge Gipe brings 20 years of experience as a trial lawyer to the bench, as well as his volunteer experience as a community leader, which includes his past service as President of the Washington State Bar Association.

Judge Gipe is honored to serve the residents of Kent.