Such court commissioner shall have power, authority, and jurisdiction, concurrent with the superior court and the judge thereof, in the following particulars:
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Terms Used In Washington Code 2.24.040

  • Bail: Security given for the release of a criminal defendant or witness from legal custody (usually in the form of money) to secure his/her appearance on the day and time appointed.
  • Extradition: The formal process of delivering an accused or convicted person from authorities in one state to authorities in another state.
  • Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
  • person: may be construed to include the United States, this state, or any state or territory, or any public or private corporation or limited liability company, as well as an individual. See Washington Code 1.16.080
  • Probable cause: A reasonable ground for belief that the offender violated a specific law.
  • Probate: Proving a will
  • Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.
(1) To hear and determine all matters in probate, to make and issue all proper orders therein, and to issue citations in all cases where same are authorized by the probate statutes of this state.
(2) To grant and enter defaults and enter judgment thereon.
(3) To issue temporary restraining orders and temporary injunctions, and to fix and approve bonds thereon.
(4) To act as referee in all matters and actions referred to him or her by the superior court as such, with all the powers now conferred upon referees by law.
(5) To hear and determine all proceedings supplemental to execution, with all the powers conferred upon the judge of the superior court in such matters.
(6) To hear and determine all petitions for the adoption of children and for the dissolution of incorporations.
(7) To hear and determine all applications for the commitment of any person to the hospital for the insane, with all the powers of the superior court in such matters: PROVIDED, That in cases where a jury is demanded, same shall be referred to the superior court for trial.
(8) To hear and determine all complaints for the commitments of minors with all powers conferred upon the superior court in such matters.
(9) To hear and determine ex parte and uncontested civil matters of any nature.
(10) To grant adjournments, administer oaths, preserve order, compel attendance of witnesses, and to punish for contempts in the refusal to obey or the neglect of the court commissioner’s lawful orders made in any matter before the court commissioner as fully as the judge of the superior court.
(11) To take acknowledgments and proofs of deeds, mortgages and all other instruments requiring acknowledgment under the laws of this state, and to take affidavits and depositions in all cases.
(12) To provide an official seal, upon which shall be engraved the words “Court Commissioner,” and the name of the county for which he or she may be appointed, and to authenticate his official acts therewith in all cases where same is necessary.
(13) To charge and collect, for his or her own use, the same fees for the official performance of official acts mentioned in subsections (4) and (11) of this section as are provided by law for referees and notaries public.
(14) To hear and determine small claims appeals as provided in chapter 12.36 RCW.
(15) In adult criminal cases, to preside over arraignments, preliminary appearances, initial extradition hearings, and noncompliance proceedings pursuant to RCW 9.94A.6333 or 9.94B.040; accept pleas if authorized by local court rules; appoint counsel; make determinations of probable cause; set, amend, and review conditions of pretrial release; set bail; set trial and hearing dates; authorize continuances; accept waivers of the right to speedy trial; and conduct resentencing hearings and hearings to vacate convictions related to State v. Blake, No. 96873-0 (Feb. 25, 2021).

NOTES:

Effective date—2021 c 311 §§ 1-11 and 13-21: See note following RCW 71.24.115.
Effective date—2009 c 28: “This act takes effect August 1, 2009.” [ 2009 c 28 § 43.]
Effective date—1991 c 33: See note following RCW 3.66.020.
Powers of commissioner under juvenile court act: RCW 13.04.030.
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