Washington court system

State courts in the State of Washington consist of five types of courts. Judges are elected and serve four or six year terms. Most judges first come to office when the governor appoints them after a judge dies, resigns, or retires or when the legislature creates another judge position. More information on Washington State courts, judges, and rules can be found on the official state website for Washington courts at http://www.courts.wa.gov.

Supreme Court

The Washington State Supreme Court is the first and highest court is the which is located in Olympia, Washington. This court considers appeals in civil and criminal cases that are appealed from Washington State Courts of Appeal. Almost all cases before the court come from these civil and criminal appeals. The court, at its discretion, picks what appeals it wants to hear and decide. In addition to appeals, the court considers a small number of cases that are filed as original cases with the court. These original cases are mostly known as "writ" or "mandamus" actions to force a state official to do or not do an official act of government. Washington State Supreme Court judges or justices are elected officials and serve six year terms. Sources: Washington State Constitution, art. IV; Washington Statutes, RCW 2.04.010 - 2.04.250. [Ernest Edsel and Timothy Kuhman, Washington State Practice and Procedure, § 72 (3rd Ed. 2005)]

Court of Appeals

The Washington State Court of Appeals has three divisions, each one based in Tacoma, Seattle, and Spokane. This court considers appeals appeals in civil and criminal cases that are appealed from Washington State Superior Courts. Unlike the State Supreme Court, which picks and chooses what appeals it wants to decide, the State Court of Appeals Washington statutes and court rules require that the appellate court decide all civil and criminal appeals that are filed with the court. Appeals court judges are elected officials and serve six year terms. Source: Washington Statutes, RCW 2.06.010 - 2.06.160.

Superior Court

Every county has a Superior Court, which is named after the county that the court is located in. Superior court judges are elected officials serving four year terms. Superior Courts consider civil cases (including divorces, child custody, and damage lawsuits for more than $ 50,000) and felony criminal cases. They act as a court of appeal for civil and criminal misdemeanor cases from District Courts. [Source: Washington Statutes, RCW 2.08.010 - 2.08.250.]

District Court

Every county has a District Court, which is named after the county that the court is located in. District court judges are elected officials serving four year terms. District Courts are limited jurisdiction courts that consider civil cases involving damage lawsuits for less than $50,000 and misdemeanor criminal cases, which have jail sentences of 1 year or less in county jail. [Source: Washington Statutes, RCW 3.02.010 - 3.74.]

Municipal Court

Counties with large cities or towns have municipal courts, which are named after the city that the court is located in. Municipal court judges are elected officials serving four year terms or appointed by mayors or city councils. Municipal Courts are limited jurisdiction courts that only consider non-criminal traffic citations and misdemeanor criminal cases, which have jail sentences of 1 year or less in county jail. [Source: Washington Statutes, RCW 3.46.010 - 3.46.160 and RCW 3.50.003 - 3.50.810.]

Notes and References

*Washington State Constitution, art. IV
*Washington Statutes
**RCW 2.04.010 - 2.04.250
**RCW 2.06.010 - 2.06.160
**RCW 2.08.010 - 2.08.250
**RCW 3.02.010 - 3.74
**RCW 3.46.010 - 3.46.160
**RCW 3.50.003 - 3.50.810

External links

* [http://www.courts.wa.gov/index.cfm Washington Courts at courts.wa.gov]