Albion asks county to add court service

Gazette intern reporter

The proposed interlocal agreement to provide court services for the town of Albion was tabled Monday by Whitman County commissioners until they get information on where the proceeds from the court sessions would land. The commissioners have asked the prosecutor's office to make a determination.

Albion City Clerk Star Cathey said the town has been attempting for approximately 18 months to start some type of court system.

The court service would be used for violations of the Albion Civil Code. Top need would probably be to enforce violations of the town's dog ordinance.

Albion doesn't have a police department and all criminal law enforcement in the town is handled by the sheriff's office.

Cathey explained without a court, the town lacks a way to act on violations of their civil code ordinance.

"We write a lot of letters," she noted.

Cost of establishing its own court is prohibitive because of service fees required by the Washington State Courts system.

Cathey said she expects backed up Albion cases would initially go on the docket in the event the county agrees to provide court services.

Garfield Attorney Eric Hanson serves as Albion's attorney.