When a person is cited with a parking ticket or a speeding ticket, they generally have to pay fines and fees to the court. Where the funds from these civil infractions go depends on the jurisdiction, but most stay in the county or municipality where the infraction was cited. In terms of fines and fees for criminal offenses, the situation becomes a bit more complicated. Hear from Judge Mary Logan of Spokane Municipal Court and Judge Katie Loring from San Juan Superior Court explain how the thinking about fines and fees has changed in the last 10-15 years.
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Family Court is a division of Superior Court in Washington State. The main types of cases in family court are minor guardianships and parenting plans. Learn from two Superior Court judges what they consider when deciding parenting plans.
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Most people can describe the basic differences between a prosecutor and a public defender, but do people know how they work together to protect the rule of law? In this video, hear the Office of Public Defense and the King County Prosecutor’s office explain how their offices are bound by the Revised Code of Washington and the Constitution to protect Washingtonian’s rights and their safety.
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Hiring an attorney can be an expensive endeavor, so where does one go to get legal advice? Hear from judges at both the Superior Court and Municipal Court level explain the differences between your Constitutional right to an attorney in a criminal case vs. a civil case. Judge Logan explains why having an attorney in a criminal case is important, and why the public defender’s office is so important. Judge Tutsch reviews some of the different organizations that exist to help those making their way through the legal system, especially in civil cases. Washington Courts has made a considerable investment in making the legal system more accessible to all. Visit https://www.washingtonlawhelp.org for more information on how to get legal advice.
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How much do you know about the juvenile justice system in Washington State? The juvenile courts are a division of the Superior Courts, and they focus solely on juvenile issues. The courts address both civil and criminal cases; the civil cases are primarily truancy, child welfare, and family services. When judges are dealing with juvenile offender cases, there is a concerted focus on rehabilitation, recognizing that youth’s brain development is still occurring and there needs to be a different form of sentencing happening than in adult court. Hear Thurston County judge, Indu Thomas, explain her work as a Superior Court judge in the juvenile division.
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There are many steps that one must go through if they are arrested for breaking a law. In this video, Deputy Prosecutor Kelly Harris walks you through those steps from arraignment to sentencing.
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Courts of Limited Jurisdiction and Superior Courts hear both criminal and civil cases. Various people on the street had a clear understanding of the differences between the two. Scholars, however, add to the narrative by explaining the reasoning why some offenses are part of the criminal code and why some are civil matters.
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“What does the judicial branch do” seems like an easy question to answer. But, because the judicial branch has many responsibilities, it can be challenging to sum up with a single answer. Check out how some of Washington’s judges clarify the public’s perception of their jobs.
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Washington State has a tripartite system of government; our three branches of government check and balance one another. Theoretically no branch of government is more powerful than the others, however it can be a delicate balance. Check out how people answer the question “What is the most powerful branch?
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The Constitution is the highest law in the state, and no law can go against the Constitution. One of the jobs the Supreme Court is tasked with is deciding whether specific laws that are brought before them are Constitutional or not. Hear from Chief Justice Debra Stephens as she explains when the State Supreme Court has the final say on the interpretation of laws and what role the Legislature has when a law is deemed to be unconstitutional.
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