User:JudicialWatch
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Washington State Courts
Justice in the State of Washington
State courts in the State of Washington consist of four 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 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.
The first and highest court is the Washington State Supreme Court 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.
The second court in Washington is the Washington State Court of Appeals. This court 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.
The third court in Washington is the Superior Court. Every county has a Superior Court, which is named after the county that the court is located in. Thus, for example, there is the King County Superior Court, Pierce County Superior Court, etc. 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. Superior Courts act as a court of appeal for civil and criminal misdemeanor cases from District Courts.
The fourth court in Washington is the District Court. Every county has a District Court, which is named after the county that the court is located in. Thus, for example, there is the King County District Court, Pierce County District Court, etc. District court judges are elected officials serving four year terms. District Courts 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.
