Washington State Court Overview

In Washington State, there are basically five levels of Court:

1. The Washington State Supreme Court:

This is the highest Court in Washington, but it is an appellate court that does not "try" cases. It is located in Olympia. If you are accused of a crime, this is not a court that you will be summoned to for a court appearance.

2. Divisions One, Two, or Three of the Court of Appeals:

These are lower Courts of Appeal beneath the Washington State Supreme Court. These are also appellate courts that do not "try" cases. If you are accused of a crime, these are not courts you will be summoned to for a court appearance.

3. Superior Courts:

These are the "Courts of General Jurisdiction" that handle virtually all felony criminal and civil cases tried in the State of Washington. These courts are administered by individual counties. Every county in Washington has a Superior Court, some large, some small. While Superior Courts technically have "jurisdiction" over felonies, gross misdemeanors, and misdemeanors, these courts are almost exclusively devoted to handling felony cases.

4. Juvenile Courts:

These Courts are actually a Division of the Superior Court that handle all offenses, both felony and misdemeanor, involving persons under the age of 18 years. In King and Snohomish Counties, the Juvenile Division of the Superior Court have their own separate Courthouses adjacent to detention facilities ("jail for juveniles").

5. District Courts and Municipal Courts:

These Courts are considered "Courts of Limited Jurisdiction". They do not handle felony or juvenile cases, only gross misdemeanors, misdemeanors, small claims, and civil traffic infractions. District Courts are operated by county government, just like the Superior Court. Municipal Courts, on the other hand, are operated by incorporated cities and may have their own courthouses, judges, and prosecutors separate from those found in the District Courts. Municipal Courts have jurisdiction over gross misdemeanors, misdemeanors, and traffic infractions that occur within their city limits; District Courts have jurisdiction over cases which occur in unincorporated areas of a county.

Example: a person arrested for DUI in the City of Lynnwood, Snohomish County, will be charged in Lynnwood Municipal Court which has it's own judge and a Municipal Courthouse near City Hall. A person arrested for DUI just outside the City of Lynnwood in an unincorporated area or in a small town with no municipal court will be charged in South District Court, which, although physically located in Lynnwood, is a court administered by Snohomish County. Same offense, different jurisdictions. Confusing? You bet. It's another reason that you should never go to court without an attorney.