SPOKANE, Wash. — Thousands of cases in Spokane County Superior Court are stalled, prompting judges and attorneys to call for more resources.

Superior Court Presiding Judge Michelle Szambelan said the county’s top trial court is struggling to keep pace with its growing caseload, describing the situation as “dire.”

Civil cases are facing the biggest delays. Data from the Spokane County Superior Court administrator shows 2,866 civil cases remain at a standstill so far this year. Of those, 668 have been waiting two years to be heard, and more than 300 have been waiting even longer.

The Spokane County Bar Association reports Superior Court judges resolve an average of about 1,000 cases each per year.

Szambelan said the backlog is affecting public safety and placing burdens on people waiting

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