Question: What Types of Cases Are Heard in Superior Court

Each week I will answer post the answer to a question that has been asked the previous week.

Q: What type of cases are heard in superior court?

A: The superior courts in Washington State are the court of general jurisdiction. These courts have exclusive jurisdiction to hear:

• felony criminal cases;
• real property cases (boundary disputes, quiet title, easements, foreclosures, etc);
• land use appeals;
• domestic relations (divorce, dissolution, child custody, child support);
• estate (with a will or without)l;
• mental illness;
• juvenile; and
  
• civil cases over $50,000.
  
• The superior courts may issue injunctions to compel or prohibit conduct and issue protection orders.
  

Most of the cases filed are criminal cases, and domestic relations cases, but all cases are important.

The superior courts also hear appeals from the district court (court of limited jurisdiction).

There are 29 superior court judicial districts in the 39 counties. As of 2003, there were 174 superior court judges. Superior court judges are elected on for a four year term.

If you want to ask a question, send an email to: randy@rgaylord.org.