coastal
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- May 18, 2009
- Messages
- 2,203
- Reaction score
- 4,718
Definitions (because I didn't know the difference):
Superior Courts
The superior courts in Washington State are the court of general jurisdiction. These courts have exclusive jurisdiction for felony matters, real property rights, domestic relations, estate, mental illness, juvenile, and civil cases over $50,000. The superior courts also hear appeals from courts of limited jurisdiction.
>Superior court judges are elected on a non-partisan basis for a four year term.
>The Superior Court of Washington for Grays Harbor County consists of 3 full-time judges and its administrative support staff. Its courtrooms and offices are located in the courthouse in Montesano. A courtroom for juvenile cases is located at the county's juvenile facility at Junction City near Aberdeen. The judges are elected to four-year terms. The Superior Court has exclusive original jurisdiction in all civil matters involving over $75,000; title or possession of real property; legality of a tax, assessment or toll; probate and domestic matters; original jurisdiction in all felony criminal cases with jail terms of up to 5 years, 10 years, and 20 years to life in a state prison; original jurisdiction in all criminal cases when jurisdiction is not otherwise provided for by law; exclusive original jurisdiction over juvenile matters; orders for protection from domestic violence; appeals from the courts of limited jurisdiction on the record for error of law.
The courts of limited jurisdiction in the county other than Grays Harbor County District Court are the Municipal Courts of each city:
Aberdeen, Cosmopolis, Elma, Hoquiam, McCleary, Montesano, Oakville, Ocean Shores, Westport
Each municipal court has a judge appointed by the mayor and/or council to a four-year term. The judges hold court on a part-time basis. A municipal court's jurisdiction extends to criminal misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor violations of city ordinances (includes Driving Under the Influence and Domestic Violence cases) with a maximum fine of $5,000 or less and/or a jail sentence of one year or less in a city or county jail; and traffic, non-traffic and parking infractions. Municipal courts do not handle civil or small claims cases, name changes, or antiharassment cases.
District Courts
The district courts in Washington State are a court of limited jurisdiction. These courts have concurrent jurisdiction with superior courts over misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor violations and civil cases under $50,000. They have exclusive jurisdiction over small claims and infractions.
The District Court caseload includes:
Criminal misdemeanor violations (includes Driving Under the Influence and Domestic Violence) involving up to a $5,000 fine and/or up to one year in jail.
Traffic, non-traffic and parking infractions.
Preliminary hearings in felony cases.
Small claims cases up to $5,000.
Civil actions involving $75,000 or less (concurrent with Superior Court)
Protection against unlawful harassment cases.
Name changes.
Domestic violence protection orders (concurrent with superior court).
http://www.co.grays-harbor.wa.us/info/judicial/
Overview of Fine Enforcement Process (District Court)
Criminal fines, costs and restitution amounts, and probation fees are enforced by judicial process, to hold all offenders accountable for their actions. Payments are allowed. Probation monitors and collects its fees separately. Non-compliance with a time payment agreement in a criminal case results in a bench warrant being issued. Persons who willfully refuse to pay are committed to jail and/or to work on the county jail work crew. Persons who are not able to pay due to no fault of their own are given an option to perform community restitution work. Traffic infractions do not involve jail time. The court allows payments, or, for those persons unable to pay, community service work. Failure to comply with a payment agreement or community service obligation may result in the suspension of the person's driver's license and referred to a state licensed collection agency.
<<<
So now we know.
Superior Courts
The superior courts in Washington State are the court of general jurisdiction. These courts have exclusive jurisdiction for felony matters, real property rights, domestic relations, estate, mental illness, juvenile, and civil cases over $50,000. The superior courts also hear appeals from courts of limited jurisdiction.
>Superior court judges are elected on a non-partisan basis for a four year term.
>The Superior Court of Washington for Grays Harbor County consists of 3 full-time judges and its administrative support staff. Its courtrooms and offices are located in the courthouse in Montesano. A courtroom for juvenile cases is located at the county's juvenile facility at Junction City near Aberdeen. The judges are elected to four-year terms. The Superior Court has exclusive original jurisdiction in all civil matters involving over $75,000; title or possession of real property; legality of a tax, assessment or toll; probate and domestic matters; original jurisdiction in all felony criminal cases with jail terms of up to 5 years, 10 years, and 20 years to life in a state prison; original jurisdiction in all criminal cases when jurisdiction is not otherwise provided for by law; exclusive original jurisdiction over juvenile matters; orders for protection from domestic violence; appeals from the courts of limited jurisdiction on the record for error of law.
The courts of limited jurisdiction in the county other than Grays Harbor County District Court are the Municipal Courts of each city:
Aberdeen, Cosmopolis, Elma, Hoquiam, McCleary, Montesano, Oakville, Ocean Shores, Westport
Each municipal court has a judge appointed by the mayor and/or council to a four-year term. The judges hold court on a part-time basis. A municipal court's jurisdiction extends to criminal misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor violations of city ordinances (includes Driving Under the Influence and Domestic Violence cases) with a maximum fine of $5,000 or less and/or a jail sentence of one year or less in a city or county jail; and traffic, non-traffic and parking infractions. Municipal courts do not handle civil or small claims cases, name changes, or antiharassment cases.
District Courts
The district courts in Washington State are a court of limited jurisdiction. These courts have concurrent jurisdiction with superior courts over misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor violations and civil cases under $50,000. They have exclusive jurisdiction over small claims and infractions.
The District Court caseload includes:
Criminal misdemeanor violations (includes Driving Under the Influence and Domestic Violence) involving up to a $5,000 fine and/or up to one year in jail.
Traffic, non-traffic and parking infractions.
Preliminary hearings in felony cases.
Small claims cases up to $5,000.
Civil actions involving $75,000 or less (concurrent with Superior Court)
Protection against unlawful harassment cases.
Name changes.
Domestic violence protection orders (concurrent with superior court).
http://www.co.grays-harbor.wa.us/info/judicial/
Overview of Fine Enforcement Process (District Court)
Criminal fines, costs and restitution amounts, and probation fees are enforced by judicial process, to hold all offenders accountable for their actions. Payments are allowed. Probation monitors and collects its fees separately. Non-compliance with a time payment agreement in a criminal case results in a bench warrant being issued. Persons who willfully refuse to pay are committed to jail and/or to work on the county jail work crew. Persons who are not able to pay due to no fault of their own are given an option to perform community restitution work. Traffic infractions do not involve jail time. The court allows payments, or, for those persons unable to pay, community service work. Failure to comply with a payment agreement or community service obligation may result in the suspension of the person's driver's license and referred to a state licensed collection agency.
<<<

So now we know.