🎆 Do Washington Courts Close for New Year’s?
The winter holidays are a time for celebration — but if you’re involved in a legal matter, they can also raise critical timing questions.
One of the most common:
“Are Washington courts closed on New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day?”
Here’s what you need to know to protect your rights and avoid missing an important court date or deadline.
📅 New Year’s Day: Official Court Holiday
Under Washington law, January 1 (New Year’s Day) is a recognized legal holiday. This means:
- All state courts (municipal, district, superior) are closed
- There are no hearings or trials on January 1
- Filing deadlines and court dates that fall on January 1 are usually moved to the next business day
🗓️ Example: If your deadline is January 1, 2026, it likely moves to January 2, 2026, assuming courts are open that day.
🎉 What About New Year’s Eve?
Unlike New Year’s Day, New Year’s Eve (December 31) is not an official court holiday in Washington. Courts are typically open unless December 31 falls on a weekend or unless a specific court announces a closure or limited hours.
That said, some courts:
- May close early on December 31
- May have reduced staff
- May limit filing hours — especially for in-person submissions
So if you need to file something on or near December 31, it’s essential to confirm hours with the specific court clerk’s office in advance.
⏰ Deadlines Around the New Year
If your case has a:
- Filing deadline
- Statute of limitations
- Hearing date
- Payment due date
…and it falls on or near the New Year’s holiday, act early.
Court deadlines that land on a legal holiday like January 1 are usually extended to the next business day, but you should still verify that with your attorney or the court clerk.
⚠️ Warning: Waiting until January 2 to act could be too late in some criminal or civil matters with strict timelines.
📞 When to Call the Court (or Your Lawyer)
Contact the court or your attorney if:
- You have a court date between Dec. 29 – Jan. 2
- You’re unsure when a deadline falls due to the holiday
- You were cited or arrested over New Year’s weekend
- You plan to file something on Dec. 31 or Jan. 2
🚫 Arrested or Cited Over the Holiday?
New Year’s weekend is a busy time for Washington law enforcement. Common charges filed over the holiday include:
- DUI / physical control
- Disorderly conduct or assault
- Reckless driving
- Traffic violations on icy roads
If you’re arrested, cited, or have a court date set for early January, contacting an attorney before court reopens is the best way to stay ahead of your case.
📞 Blanford Law is Here When You Need Us
Court holiday confusion? Arrested on New Year’s? Need help calculating a filing deadline?
📞 Call Blanford Law at 253‑720‑9304
📧 Email: ken@blanfordlaw.com
Additional Resources
- RPC 2.1 – The Advisor: Legal and Practical Counsel in Washington
Learn how Washington attorneys are expected to offer both legal advice and practical judgment under Rule 2.1 of the Rules of Professional Conduct. - Electronic Home Monitoring in Washington: What You Need to Know
Understand how Electronic Home Monitoring (EHM) works in Washington, including eligibility, costs, and legal conditions. - IRLJ 2.3 – Venue for Infractions in Washington Courts
Find out where your traffic infraction case should be heard under Washington’s Infraction Rules for Courts of Limited Jurisdiction. - Is December 26, 2025 a Court Holiday in Pierce County?
Discover whether Pierce County District Court is open the day after Christmas and how it affects court schedules. - Elderly Driver Responsibility: Legal Concerns After a Crash
Explore the legal issues surrounding elderly drivers involved in car accidents, including liability and license review in Washington.