presented by washington state administrative office of the courts court overview charlotte jensen...
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Presented by
Washington StateAdministrative Office of the Courts
Court Overview
Charlotte JensenJudicial Education Services
February 21-22, 2007
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Objectives
Understand the dual systems of the courts.
Recognize similar yet independent nature.
Terminology.
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Organization
U.S. Supreme Court
Federal Circuit Court of Appeals
U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals
Washington Supreme Court
Washington Court of Appeals
Superior Court
District Court
U.S. District Court
Municipal Court
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Filing Determination
Before a court may hear a case, it must have jurisdiction.
Original Jurisdiction.
Appellate Jurisdiction.
General Jurisdiction.
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Jurisdiction
Subject Matter Jurisdiction
in Personum Jurisdiction
in Rem Jurisdiction
Concurrent Jurisdiction
Exclusive Jurisdiction
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U.S. Supreme Court
Only court created by the U.S. Constitution.
Nine justices.
Jurisdiction is varied and usually of an appellate nature.
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Federal Courts of Appeal
13 U.S. Courts of Appeal
Twelve courts have appellate jurisdiction over the federal district courts within their respective jurisdictions.
One court (Federal Circuit Court of Appeals) has national appellate jurisdiction in patent law cases and those cases in which the U.S. government is a defendant.
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U.S. District Courts
At least one federal district court in every state.
Civil and criminal subject matter jurisdiction
Claims based on U.S. Constitution, a treaty, a question of federal law or criminal offense, or when the federal government is a party to the suit.
Diversity of citizenship + $75,000.
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Washington Supreme Court
Highest court of the state.
Nine Supreme Court justices, elected to six-year terms.
Original jurisdiction for petitions against state officials.
Appellate jurisdiction for Court of Appeals.
Appellate jurisdiction for direct appeals:
Actions involving state officers or employees. Constitutionality of state statutes. Conflicting statutes or laws. Issues of broad public interest.
Administrative and supervisory duties.
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Washington Court of Appeals
Non-discretionary appellate court.
Three Divisions.
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Washington Court of Appeals
Non-discretionary appellate court.
Three Divisions.
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Washington Court of Appeals
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Washington Court of Appeals
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Washington Court of Appeals
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Washington Court of Appeals
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Washington Court of Appeals
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Washington Court of Appeals
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Washington Court of Appeals
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Washington Court of Appeals
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Washington Court of Appeals
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Superior Court
Courts of General Jurisdiction
Felony cases.Civil actions over $50,000.Real property issues.Domestic relations matters, including adoption
and paternity.Probate, guardianship, and estate matters.Mental illness and alcohol commitments.Juvenile matters including juvenile offenders,
dependency, and truancy.Protection-type orders in a variety of cases.
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Superior Court
Appellate jurisdiction of district and municipal court decisions.
Concurrent jurisdiction over misdemeanors and gross misdemeanors.
Other courts within Superior Court:
Juvenile Court Drug Courts Mental Health Courts Therapeutic Courts
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Superior Court
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District and Municipal Courts
Limited Jurisdiction Courts
Infraction cases (traffic, non-traffic and parking). Criminal cases (misdemeanor and gross
misdemeanor, traffic and non-traffic). A judge can impose fines/penalties and jail time Felony cases (preliminary hearings only). Civil actions up to $50,000. Small claims up to $4,000. Civil petitions for protection: Domestic Violence and
Unlawful Harassment, Sexual Assault Protection Orders.
Civil impoundment - vehicle impounds.
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COURT OVERVIEW