The Supreme Court�s functions include:
- Hearing appeals from the Court of Appeals and other lower courts.
All nine Supreme Court justices hear and decide the outcome of cases on the appeal calendar. No live testimony is heard, and exhibits are usually not allowed. Decisions are made on the basis of the record, in addition to written and oral arguments.
- Reviewing certain trial court decisions
Circumstances which demand such review are those involving actions of a state officer, trial court review of a statute or ordinance as unconstitutional, and the involvement of conflicting statutes or rules of law in a case. Also examined are cases requiring prompt attention due to a broad public interest, and those in which the death penalty has been imposed upon the offender.
- Acting as the supervising administrator for the state court system and certain operations of the Washington State Bar Association.
- Serving as the rule-making authority for other levels of state courts.
These courts are, in descending order, the Court of Appeals, superior courts, and courts of limited jurisdiction (district and municipal courts).
Justices of the Supreme Court:
Since 1912, justices in the Washington State Supreme court have been selected by nonpartisan election. These elections are staggered in order to maintain continuity within the court. All nine justices are elected to six-year terms, three of which come up for election every two years. Citizens in all 39 counties of Washington may vote for the candidates. In case the death or resignation of a judge, the governor appoints a replacement to fill the seat. Admission to the practice of law in the state of Washington is the only prerequisite for an individual who wishes to run for the Supreme Court.
Sources:
A Citizen�s Guide to Washington Courts. Office of the Administration for the Courts, State of Washington. Ninth ed., 2001.
http://www.courts.wa.gov/brochure/guide/citguide.pdf
Judicial Voter Pamphlet 2002
http://www.courts.wa.gov/voters_pam/