Every year, the Washington County District Attorney's Office serves approximately 11,700 crime victims and thousands of witnesses from our community. Often, coming to court can be an uncomfortable and unfamiliar experience. Helping to ensure this experience goes as smoothly as possible is an important way of ensuring everyone in our community has access to our justice system.
With that in mind, we are proud to share a video to help give people an idea of what to expect when they come to court.
Location and Parking
The Washington County Courthouse is conveniently located in historic downtown Hillsboro.
Washington County Courthouse
145 NE 2nd Avenue
Hillsboro, Oregon 97124
Approximate travel times by car
- 25 minutes from Beaverton or Tigard
- 15 minutes from Forest Grove
- 30 minutes from Sherwood or Tualatin
- 45 minutes from Portland
Free two-hour parking is available at the P5 lot at 1st and Northwest Lincoln, with a short walk to the courthouse. If you're serving on a jury, you may also receive a special permit for extended parking in this lot.
Adams Street and 1st Avenue parking structures have varied parking options available on multiple levels.
Several other parking lots and street parking are nearby surrounding the courthouse.
Public Transit
MAX Blue Line. Two blocks from the Hatfield Government Center, the last stop on the west side MAX.
By bus, TriMet lines 46, 47, 48, and 57 all have stops nearby. Line 46 stops directly in front of the courthouse at 1st and Main in downtown Hillsboro.
Security and Check-In
We realize it can be a bit intimidating to come to the courthouse, especially if you've never been here before, or you aren't familiar with how the Criminal Justice system works. The Courthouse is a professional setting. While you don't have to dress up for court, shorts, hats, and tank tops aren't permitted in the courtrooms, even when it's very hot outside.
You must go through security before you can enter the building. Place your phone, keys, and other items in the bins for inspection. Weapons are not allowed in the Courthouse, and perfume bottles are not permitted inside. Security lines can get long when the courthouse opens at 8 a.m. and again after the lunch hour. Please give yourself extra time to clear security.
After you've cleared security, take the stairs or the elevator to the third floor, where you can check in at the DA's office. The deputy district attorney or one of our many dedicated victim advocates will meet with you to let you know what to expect and to answer all of your questions. If you've been subpoenaed to testify in a court case, it's important to arrive and check in at the front desk on the date and time indicated on your subpoena so that you have time to meet with the deputy district attorney handling the case and to be directed to the appropriate courtroom.
Testifying and Trials
When you come to the courthouse to testify, the most important thing is to tell the truth. Our number one objective is to seek the best outcome for you and our community.
If your case goes to trial, it will occur in one of the many courtrooms throughout the building. The prosecutor and the defense attorney will be seated at his or her own table. The judge sits on the bench and acts as the referee to ensure all laws and procedures are followed.
There are two types of trials. A bench trial, in which the judge decides whether the person is guilty or innocent, or a jury trial, where a group of Washington County residents will make that determination. The defendant has the right to choose which type of trial he or she wants.
The trial begins with opening statements from the state and the defense. The state will then call witnesses to the witness stand to answer questions, after which, the defense is entitled to ask the witness their own questions. This is referred to as cross-examination. After you testify, you may be excused for the day, but sometimes witnesses must remain available in case additional testimony is needed. You will be told whether you may leave after you testify.
Once the state has made its case, it rests, and the defense can begin calling its own witnesses. The state is also allowed to cross-examine these witnesses. Once the defense rests its case, both sides give their closing arguments before the judge, or a jury begins to deliberate on a verdict. Most trials last just a day or two, but some cases may last for several days.
Weather-related delays
In bad weather, the courts may delay openings, postpone proceedings, or close. For the most current information, call the court at 503-846-8888, subscribe to the court's flash alert system, or check our Facebook page.
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