Superior Courts are the highest trial court in Washington State. They hear the most serious of crimes, felonies, as well as civil cases over $100,000. In this video, you will hear from Judge Loring of San Juan Superior Court and Judge Tutsch of Yakima Superior Court. They discuss the complexities of the cases they hear as well as the legislative boundaries in sentencing they must follow.
Together, district and municipal courts are known as the Courts of Limited Jurisdiction. District courts are county courts, while municipal courts are city courts. These courts are called limited jurisdiction because they are limited in their ability to hear only lower level offenses: infractions, misdemeanors, and gross misdemeanors. Additionally, district courts hear civil cases up to $100,000. Washington courts are leveled, and this lowest level of courts hears the majority of cases filed in Washington.
Overview What are the roles and responsibilities of Washington’s Governor? Learn about this statewide elected office with former WA Governor Christine Gregoire. As the top elected official of the State of Washington, the Governor is essentially the commander in chief. By focusing on the responsibilities that the Governor has over the state of Washington, viewers will understand how the Governor works with the other statewide elected officials and the other branches of government. Essential Questions: Objectives:
Established by law in the late 1960s, the Court of Appeals handles the bulk of appeals in Washington State. Everyone is entitled to an appeal in both criminal and civil cases. If someone thinks there has been a legal or procedural error in their case at the trial level, their case will most likely end up at the Court of Appeals. Hear from Division 1 Judge Cecily Hazelrigg as she discusses how the Court of Appeals operates and why judicial independence is so important.
The Washington State Supreme Court is the highest court in the state. It provides the final interpretation of state law. Learn from Washington Supreme Court Chief Justice, Debra Stephens, as she explains how the court works, the importance of judicial precedents, and the other critical roles the Supreme Court plays in Washington. Essential Questions: Objectives:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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. Essential Questions: Objectives: