Most judges first come to office when the governor of Washington appoints them after a vacancy is created – either by the death, resignation, retirement, or removal of a sitting judge, or when a new seat on the bench is created by the Washington State Legislature.
The Washington Court of Appeals has three divisions, based in Tacoma, Seattle, and Spokane.
A Superior Court may consider all civil and criminal matters occurring within a county's boundary.
The Superior Court also has exclusive jurisdiction over civil matters in which the amount in controversy is more than $75,000, felony cases, estate and probate matters, family law cases (including divorces and child custody hearings), and juvenile proceedings.
These are courts of limited jurisdiction that hear traffic infractions, criminal traffic citations, misdemeanors and gross misdemeanors, civil cases with an amount in controversy less than $100,000, and small claims suits.
[8] Municipal Court judges are elected or appointed by mayors or city councils and serve four-year terms.