Highest Court
Supreme Court
The Supreme Court consists of 9
judges. It has jurisdiction over (1) Appeals from the Court of Appeals.
(2) Direct Appeals when action of state officers is involved, the constitutionality
of a statute is questioned, there are conflicting statutes or rules of
law, or when the issue is of broad public interest. (3) Final rule-making
body for other state courts. (4) Administers state court system. (4) Supervises
attorney discipline statewide.
Intermediate Courts
Court of Appeals
The Court of Appeals consists of
22 judges. It has jurisdiction over (1) Appeals from lower courts except
those in jurisdiction of the Supreme Court.
General Courts
Superior Court
The Superior Court consists of 175
judges. It has jurisdiction over (1) Exclusive original jurisdiction in
all civil matters involving a dollar amount over $50,000; title or possession
of real property; legality of tax, assessment or toll, probate, and domestic
matters. (2) Original jurisdiction in all criminal cases amounting to felony.
(3) Original jurisdiction in all criminal cases when jurisdiction is not
otherwise provided for by law. (4) Exclusive original jurisdiction over
juvenile matters. (5) Orders for protection from domestic violence. (6)
Appeals from courts of limited jurisdiction heard de novo or appealed on
the record for error of law.
Limited Courts
District and Municipal Court
The District and Municipal Court
consists of 221 judges. It has jurisdiction over (1) Concurrent jurisdiction
with superior courts in all misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor actions with
a maximum fine of $5,000 or less and/or jail sentence of one year or less
in violation of state/county statues or county/municipal ordinances.
(2) Jurisdiction in all matters involving traffic, non-traffic, and parking
infractions. (3) Orders for protection from domestic violence. (4) Civil
antiharrassment matters. (5) Civil impoundment matters (municipal court
jurisdiction expanded to include these matters previously heard only by
district courts). (6) Concurrent jurisdiction with superior courts over
civil actions involving $50,000 or less. (7) Small Claims of up to $4,000.
(8) Preliminary hearings of felonies.
Additional Information
Justices, judges to wear gowns
All justices of the supreme court,
court of appeals, and the superior courts shall wear judicial -style gowns
of black silk in open court during the presentation of causes. (RCW 2.04.110)
Report to governor
Supreme Court Judges shall send
a written report of defects and omissions they believe to be in the
laws to the governor on or before January first. (RCW 2.04.230)
Reporting defects or omissions
in the laws
The Court of Appeal judges on or
before the first day of November send a written report to the justices
of the Supreme court of any defects or omissions they believe exist in
the laws. (RCW 2.06.110)
Part time District Judge
A part-time district judge may act
as an attorney in any court except the one in which he or she is a judge,
except in an action, suit, or proceeding removed therefrom to another court
for review. (RCW 2.28.040)
Judicial officers -- Powers
Every judicial officer has power
-- (1) To preserve and enforce order in his immediate presence and in the
proceedings before him, when he is engaged in the performance of a duty
imposed upon him by law. (2) To compel obedience to his lawful orders as
provided by law. (3) To compel the attendance of persons to testify in
a proceeding pending before him, in the cases and manner provided by law.
(4) To administer oaths to persons in a proceeding pending before him,
and in all other cases where it may be necessary in the exercise of his
powers and the performance of his duties.(RCW 2.28.060)
Federal court certification of
local law question.
In a situation when a federal court
proceeding is pending and a definite answer is needed from an obscure
local law to dispose of the proceeding, the federal court may certify
the supreme court to answer the question of local law involved and the
supreme court shall render its opinion in answer thereto. (RCW 2.60.020)
Refusal to obey subpoena -- Powers
of superior court
A person who refuses to obey a subpoena
issued by the commission or refuses to answer during a hearing or proceeding,
may be ordered to appear or answer by the superior court of the hearing
or jurisdiction. Failure of the individual to obey is punished as
contempt of court. (RCW 2.64.070)
