Press Releases

Today, Representatives Suzan DelBene (WA-01) and Rick Larsen (WA-02) introduced legislation that would add Mount Vernon as a federal court location in the Western District of Washington. This cost-free change would make it easier for Skagit, Snohomish, and Island County residents to access the federal justice system and attend court. Currently, the Western District of Washington only holds court in Bellingham, Seattle, Tacoma, and Vancouver.

“Including Mount Vernon as a federal court would help Washingtonians access our justice system. With the increased convenience of a more central location, this addition would help reduce administrative costs and travel times and alleviate some of the burden that falls on witnesses, defendants, lawyers, and agents in getting to court,” said DelBene.

“Changing the location of the Western District of Washington monthly proceedings enables residents of Skagit, Island, and Snohomish Counties to appear in court with less disruption to their lives. Mount Vernon is a sensible location for these proceedings and this move will benefit many defendants, attorneys, and witnesses who live and work in Northwest Washington,” said Larsen.

This proposal has the support of the judges of the Western District of Washington, the U.S. Attorney for Western Washington, the Federal Public Defender for Western Washington, the U.S. Marshals Service, federal law enforcement agents who come to court, the Skagit County Bar Association, and the Whatcom County Bar Association.

The bill’s text can be read here.