reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
WA Rev Code § 3.50.003 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 3 - District Courts—Courts of Limited Jurisdiction|Chapter 3.50 - Municipal Courts—Alternate Provision.|3.50.003 - Definitions.

RCW 3.50.003 Definitions.The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.(1) "City" means an incorporated city or town.(2) "Contracting city" means any city that contracts with a hosting jurisdiction for the delivery of judicial services.(3) "Hosting jurisdiction" means a county or city designated in an interlocal agreement as receiving compensation for providing judicial services to a contracting city.(4) "Mayor" means the mayor, city manager, or other chief administrative officer of the city.[ 2008 c 227 § 3; 1984 c 258 § 125.]NOTES:Effective date—2008 c 227: "This act takes effect July 1, 2008." [ 2008 c 227 § 13.]Subheadings not law—2008 c 227: "Subheadings used in this act are not any part of the law." [ 2008 c 227 § 14.]Court Improvement Act of 1984—Effective dates—Severability—Short title—1984 c 258: See notes following RCW 3.30.010.Application—1984 c 258 §§ 101-139: See note following RCW 3.50.005.
WA Rev Code § 3.50.005 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 3 - District Courts—Courts of Limited Jurisdiction|Chapter 3.50 - Municipal Courts—Alternate Provision.|3.50.005 - Legislative finding—Alternative court structure for cities and towns of four hundred thousand or less.

RCW 3.50.005 Legislative finding—Alternative court structure for cities and towns of four hundred thousand or less.The legislature finds that there is a multitude of statutes governing the municipal courts of the state. This situation is confusing and misleading to attorneys, judges, court personnel, and others who work with the municipal courts. The legislature therefore finds that a reorganization of the municipal courts of the state would allow those courts to operate in a more effective and efficient manner. This chapter provides a court structure which may be used by cities and towns with a population of four hundred thousand or less which choose to operate under this chapter.[ 1984 c 258 § 101.]NOTES:Court Improvement Act of 1984—Effective dates—Severability—Short title—1984 c 258: See notes following RCW 3.30.010.Application—1984 c 258 §§ 101-139: "The enactment of sections 101 through 139 of this act shall not affect any case, proceeding, appeal, or other matter pending in any court operating under Title 35 or 35A RCW on the effective date of this act [July 1, 1984]. The enactment of sections 101 through 139 of this act shall not have the effect of terminating or in any way modifying any right or liability, civil or criminal, which may be in existence on the effective date of this act [July 1, 1984]." [ 1984 c 258 § 128.]
WA Rev Code § 3.50.010 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 3 - District Courts—Courts of Limited Jurisdiction|Chapter 3.50 - Municipal Courts—Alternate Provision.|3.50.010 - Municipal court authorized in cities of four hundred thousand or less.

RCW 3.50.010 Municipal court authorized in cities of four hundred thousand or less.Any city or town with a population of four hundred thousand or less may by ordinance provide for an inferior court to be known and designated as a municipal court, which shall be entitled "The Municipal Court of . . . . . . . . . (insert name of city or town)", hereinafter designated and referred to as "municipal court", which court shall have jurisdiction and shall exercise all powers by this chapter declared to be vested in the municipal court, together with such other powers and jurisdiction as are generally conferred upon such court in this state either by common law or by express statute.[ 1984 c 258 § 103; 1961 c 299 § 50.]NOTES:Court Improvement Act of 1984—Effective dates—Severability—Short title—1984 c 258: See notes following RCW 3.30.010.Application—1984 c 258 §§ 101-139: See note following RCW 3.50.005.
WA Rev Code § 3.50.020 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 3 - District Courts—Courts of Limited Jurisdiction|Chapter 3.50 - Municipal Courts—Alternate Provision.|3.50.020 - Jurisdiction.

RCW 3.50.020 Jurisdiction.The municipal court shall have exclusive original jurisdiction over traffic infractions arising under city ordinances and exclusive original criminal jurisdiction of all violations of city ordinances duly adopted by the city and shall have original jurisdiction of all other actions brought to enforce or recover license penalties or forfeitures declared or given by such ordinances or by state statutes. A hosting jurisdiction shall have exclusive original criminal and other jurisdiction as described in this section for all matters filed by a contracting city. The municipal court shall also have the jurisdiction as conferred by statute. The municipal court is empowered to forfeit cash bail or bail bonds and issue execution thereon; and in general to hear and determine all causes, civil or criminal, including traffic infractions, arising under such ordinances and to pronounce judgment in accordance therewith. A municipal court participating in the program established by the administrative office of the courts pursuant to RCW 2.56.160 shall have jurisdiction to take recognizance, approve bail, and arraign defendants held within its jurisdiction on warrants issued by any court of limited jurisdiction participating in the program.[ 2008 c 227 § 5; 2005 c 282 § 14; 2000 c 111 § 6; 1985 c 303 § 14; 1984 c 258 § 104; 1979 ex.s. c 136 § 17; 1961 c 299 § 51.]NOTES:Effective date—Subheadings not law—2008 c 227: See notes following RCW 3.50.003.Court Improvement Act of 1984—Effective dates—Severability—Short title—1984 c 258: See notes following RCW 3.30.010.Application—1984 c 258 §§ 101-139: See note following RCW 3.50.005.Effective date—Severability—1979 ex.s. c 136: See notes following RCW 46.63.010.
WA Rev Code § 3.50.030 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 3 - District Courts—Courts of Limited Jurisdiction|Chapter 3.50 - Municipal Courts—Alternate Provision.|3.50.030 - Violations bureau for traffic cases—Disposition of moneys collected.

RCW 3.50.030 Violations bureau for traffic cases—Disposition of moneys collected.Every city or town may establish and operate under the supervision of the municipal court a violations bureau to assist the court in processing traffic cases. Each municipal court shall designate the specific traffic offenses and traffic infractions under city or town ordinances which may be processed by the violations bureau.A violations bureau may be authorized to process traffic infractions in conformity with chapter 46.63 RCW.A violations bureau may be authorized to receive the posting of bail for specified offenses and, to the extent authorized by court order, permitted to accept forfeiture of bail and payment of penalties. Any violations bureau, upon accepting the prescribed bail, shall issue a receipt therefor to the alleged violator, acknowledging the posting thereof and informing the accused of the legal consequences of bail forfeiture. Any person charged with any criminal traffic offense within the authority of the violations bureau may, upon signing a written appearance, a written plea of guilty and a written waiver of trial, pay to the violations bureau the fine established for the offense charged and costs and this shall have the same effect as a court conviction. All penalties and forfeitures paid to a violations bureau for the violation of municipal ordinance shall be placed in the city or town general fund or such other fund as may be prescribed by ordinance of the city or town or laws of the state of Washington.Any employees of an existing violations bureau of any city shall continue as city employees.[ 1984 c 258 § 105; 1979 ex.s. c 136 § 18; 1961 c 299 § 52.]NOTES:Court Improvement Act of 1984—Effective dates—Severability—Short title—1984 c 258: See notes following RCW 3.30.010.Application—1984 c 258 §§ 101-139: See note following RCW 3.50.005.Effective date—Severability—1979 ex.s. c 136: See notes following RCW 46.63.010.
WA Rev Code § 3.50.040 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 3 - District Courts—Courts of Limited Jurisdiction|Chapter 3.50 - Municipal Courts—Alternate Provision.|3.50.040 - Municipal judges—Appointed—Terms, qualifications—District judge as part-time municipal judge.

RCW 3.50.040 Municipal judges—Appointed—Terms, qualifications—District judge as part-time municipal judge.Within thirty days after the effective date of the ordinance creating the municipal court, the mayor of each city or town shall appoint a municipal judge or judges of the municipal court for a term of four years. The terms of judges serving on July 1, 1984, and municipal judges who are appointed to terms commencing before January 1, 1986, shall expire January 1, 1986. The terms of their successors shall commence on January 1, 1986, and on January 1 of each fourth year thereafter, pursuant to appointment or election as provided in this chapter. Appointments shall be made on or before December 1 of the year next preceding the year in which the terms commence.The legislative authority of a city or town that has the general power of confirmation over mayoral appointments shall have the power to confirm the appointment of a municipal judge.A person appointed as a full-time or part-time municipal judge shall be a citizen of the United States of America and of the state of Washington; and an attorney admitted to practice law before the courts of record of the state of Washington: PROVIDED, That in a municipality having a population less than five thousand persons, a person who has taken and passed by January 1, 2003, the qualifying examination for a lay candidate for judicial officer as provided by rule of the supreme court may be the judge. Any city or town shall have authority to appoint a district judge as its municipal judge when the municipal judge is not required to serve full time. In the event of the appointment of a district judge, the city or town shall pay a pro rata share of the salary.[ 2002 c 136 § 2; 1984 c 258 § 106; 1975-'76 2nd ex.s. c 35 § 1; 1961 c 299 § 53.]NOTES:Court Improvement Act of 1984—Effective dates—Severability—Short title—1984 c 258: See notes following RCW 3.30.010.Application—1984 c 258 §§ 101-139: See note following RCW 3.50.005.
WA Rev Code § 3.50.045 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 3 - District Courts—Courts of Limited Jurisdiction|Chapter 3.50 - Municipal Courts—Alternate Provision.|3.50.045 - Judicial officers—Disqualification.

RCW 3.50.045 Judicial officers—Disqualification.(1) A municipal court judicial officer shall not preside in any of the following cases:(a) In an action to which the judicial officer is a party, or in which the judicial officer is directly interested, or in which the judicial officer has been an attorney for a party.(b) When the judicial officer or one of the parties believes that the parties cannot have an impartial trial or hearing before the judicial officer. The judicial officer shall disqualify himself or herself under the provisions of this section if, before any discretionary ruling has been made, a party files an affidavit that the party cannot have a fair and impartial trial or hearing by reason of the interest or prejudice of the judicial officer. The following are not considered discretionary rulings: (i) The arrangement of the calendar; (ii) the setting of an action, motion, or proceeding for hearing or trial; (iii) the arraignment of the accused; or (iv) the fixing of bail and initially setting conditions of release. Only one change of judicial officer is allowed each party in an action or proceeding.(2) When a judicial officer is disqualified under this section, the case shall be heard before another judicial officer of the municipality.(3) For the purposes of this section, "judicial officer" means a judge, judge pro tempore, or court commissioner.[ 2008 c 227 § 9.]NOTES:Effective date—Subheadings not law—2008 c 227: See notes following RCW 3.50.003.
WA Rev Code § 3.50.050 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 3 - District Courts—Courts of Limited Jurisdiction|Chapter 3.50 - Municipal Courts—Alternate Provision.|3.50.050 - Municipal judge may be elective position—Qualifications, term.

RCW 3.50.050 Municipal judge may be elective position—Qualifications, term.The legislative authority of the city or town may, by ordinance, provide that the position of municipal judge within the city or town shall be an elective position. The ordinance shall provide for the qualifications of the municipal judge which shall be the same as the qualifications necessary for the appointment thereof; and further, shall provide that the municipal judge shall be elected in the same manner as other elective city officials are elected to office, and that the term of the municipal judge shall be for a term of four years commencing on January 1, 1986, and every four years thereafter.[ 1984 c 258 § 107; 1961 c 299 § 54.]NOTES:Court Improvement Act of 1984—Effective dates—Severability—Short title—1984 c 258: See notes following RCW 3.30.010.Application—1984 c 258 §§ 101-139: See note following RCW 3.50.005.
WA Rev Code § 3.50.055 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 3 - District Courts—Courts of Limited Jurisdiction|Chapter 3.50 - Municipal Courts—Alternate Provision.|3.50.055 - Judicial positions—Filling—Circumstances permitted.

RCW 3.50.055 Judicial positions—Filling—Circumstances permitted.Notwithstanding RCW 3.50.040 and 3.50.050, judicial positions may be filled only by election under the following circumstances:(1) Each full-time equivalent judicial position shall be filled by election. This requirement applies regardless of how many judges are employed to fill the position. For purposes of this section, a full-time equivalent position is thirty-five or more hours per week of compensated time.(2) In any city with one or more full-time equivalent judicial positions, an additional judicial position or positions that is or are in combination more than one-half of a full-time equivalent position shall also be filled by election.[ 1993 c 317 § 4.]NOTES:Severability—Effective date—1993 c 317: See notes following RCW 3.50.810.
WA Rev Code § 3.50.057 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 3 - District Courts—Courts of Limited Jurisdiction|Chapter 3.50 - Municipal Courts—Alternate Provision.|3.50.057 - Judges—Residency requirement.

RCW 3.50.057 Judges—Residency requirement.A judge of a municipal court need not be a resident of the city in which the court is created, but must be a resident of the county in which the city is located.[ 1993 c 317 § 6.]NOTES:Severability—Effective date—1993 c 317: See notes following RCW 3.50.810.
WA Rev Code § 3.50.060 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 3 - District Courts—Courts of Limited Jurisdiction|Chapter 3.50 - Municipal Courts—Alternate Provision.|3.50.060 - Termination of municipal court—Requirements—Establishment of court.

RCW 3.50.060 Termination of municipal court—Requirements—Establishment of court.A city or town electing to establish a municipal court pursuant to this chapter may terminate such court by adoption of an appropriate ordinance. However no municipal court may be terminated unless the municipality has complied with RCW 3.50.805, 35.22.425, * 35.23.595, ** 35.24.455, 35.27.515, 35.30.100, and 35A.11.200. A city or town newly establishing a municipal court pursuant to this chapter shall do so by adoption of an appropriate ordinance on or before December 1 of any year, to take effect January 1 of the following year.[ 1984 c 258 § 108; 1961 c 299 § 55.]NOTES:Reviser's note: *(1) RCW 35.23.595 was repealed by 1994 c 81 § 89.**(2) RCW 35.24.455 was recodified as RCW 35.23.555 pursuant to 1994 c 81 § 90.Court Improvement Act of 1984—Effective dates—Severability—Short title—1984 c 258: See notes following RCW 3.30.010.Application—1984 c 258 §§ 101-139: See note following RCW 3.50.005.
WA Rev Code § 3.50.070 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 3 - District Courts—Courts of Limited Jurisdiction|Chapter 3.50 - Municipal Courts—Alternate Provision.|3.50.070 - Additional judges—Appointment, election.

RCW 3.50.070 Additional judges—Appointment, election.Additional full or part time judges may be appointed or elected, as provided by ordinance of the legislative body of the city or town when public interest and the administration of justice makes such additional judge or judges necessary.[ 1984 c 258 § 109; 1961 c 299 § 56.]NOTES:Court Improvement Act of 1984—Effective dates—Severability—Short title—1984 c 258: See notes following RCW 3.30.010.Application—1984 c 258 §§ 101-139: See note following RCW 3.50.005.
WA Rev Code § 3.50.075 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 3 - District Courts—Courts of Limited Jurisdiction|Chapter 3.50 - Municipal Courts—Alternate Provision.|3.50.075 - Court commissioners—Appointment—Qualification—Limitations—Part-time judge.

RCW 3.50.075 Court commissioners—Appointment—Qualification—Limitations—Part-time judge.(1) One or more court commissioners may be appointed by a judge of the municipal court.(2) Each commissioner holds office at the pleasure of the appointing judge.(3) Except as provided in subsection (4) of this section, a commissioner has such power, authority, and jurisdiction in criminal and civil matters as the appointing judges possess, and must be a lawyer who is admitted to practice law in the state of Washington or a nonlawyer who has passed, by January 1, 2003, the qualifying examination for lay judges for courts of limited jurisdiction under RCW 3.34.060.(4) On or after July 1, 2010, when serving as a commissioner, the commissioner does not have authority to preside over trials in criminal matters, or jury trials in civil matters unless agreed to on the record by all parties.(5) A commissioner need not be a resident of the city or of the county in which the municipal court is created. When a court commissioner has not been appointed and the municipal court is presided over by a part-time appointed judge, the judge need not be a resident of the city or of the county in which the municipal court is created.[ 2019 c 52 § 1; 2008 c 227 § 8; 1994 c 10 § 1.]NOTES:Effective date—Subheadings not law—2008 c 227: See notes following RCW 3.50.003.
WA Rev Code § 3.50.080 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 3 - District Courts—Courts of Limited Jurisdiction|Chapter 3.50 - Municipal Courts—Alternate Provision.|3.50.080 - Salaries of judges—Payment of court operating costs from city funds—Judges and employees as city employees.

RCW 3.50.080 Salaries of judges—Payment of court operating costs from city funds—Judges and employees as city employees.Salaries of municipal court judges shall be fixed by ordinance. All costs of operating the municipal court, including but not limited to salaries of judges and court employees, dockets, books of records, forms, furnishings, and supplies, shall be paid wholly out of the funds of the city or town. The city shall provide a suitable place for holding court and pay all expenses of maintaining it.All employees of the municipal court shall, for all purposes, be deemed employees of the city or town. They shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the court.[ 1984 c 258 § 111; 1961 c 299 § 57.]NOTES:Court Improvement Act of 1984—Effective dates—Severability—Short title—1984 c 258: See notes following RCW 3.30.010.Application—1984 c 258 §§ 101-139: See note following RCW 3.50.005.Salaries of municipal judges in cities over 400,000: RCW 3.58.010 and 35.20.160.
WA Rev Code § 3.50.090 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 3 - District Courts—Courts of Limited Jurisdiction|Chapter 3.50 - Municipal Courts—Alternate Provision.|3.50.090 - Judges pro tem.

RCW 3.50.090 Judges pro tem.The presiding municipal court judge may designate one or more persons as judges pro tem to serve in the absence or disability of the elected or duly appointed judges of the court, subsequent to the filing of an affidavit of prejudice, or in addition to the elected or duly appointed judges when the administration of justice and the accomplishment of the work of the court make it necessary. The qualifications of a judge pro tempore shall be the same as for judges as provided under RCW 3.50.040 except that a judge pro tempore need not be a resident of the city or county in which the municipal court is located. Judges pro tempore shall have all of the powers of the duly appointed or elected judges when serving as judges pro tempore of the court. Before entering on his or her duties, each judge pro tempore shall take, subscribe, and file an oath as is taken by a duly appointed or elected judge. Such pro tempore judges shall receive such compensation as shall be fixed by ordinance by the municipality in which the court is located and such compensation shall be paid by the municipality.[ 2000 c 55 § 1; 1984 c 258 § 112; 1961 c 299 § 58.]NOTES:Court Improvement Act of 1984—Effective dates—Severability—Short title—1984 c 258: See notes following RCW 3.30.010.Application—1984 c 258 §§ 101-139: See note following RCW 3.50.005.Judges pro tempore appointments: RCW 3.02.060.
WA Rev Code § 3.50.093 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 3 - District Courts—Courts of Limited Jurisdiction|Chapter 3.50 - Municipal Courts—Alternate Provision.|3.50.093 - Municipal judge—Vacancy—Appointment.

RCW 3.50.093 Municipal judge—Vacancy—Appointment.Any vacancy in the municipal court due to a death, disability, or resignation of a municipal court judge shall be filled by the mayor, for the remainder of the unexpired term. The appointment shall be subject to confirmation by the legislative authority of the city or town if the legislative authority has the general power of confirmation over mayoral appointments. The appointed judge shall be qualified to hold the position of judge of the municipal court as provided in this chapter.[ 1984 c 258 § 113.]NOTES:Court Improvement Act of 1984—Effective dates—Severability—Short title—1984 c 258: See notes following RCW 3.30.010.Application—1984 c 258 §§ 101-139: See note following RCW 3.50.005.
WA Rev Code § 3.50.095 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 3 - District Courts—Courts of Limited Jurisdiction|Chapter 3.50 - Municipal Courts—Alternate Provision.|3.50.095 - Municipal judge—Removal from office.

RCW 3.50.095 Municipal judge—Removal from office.A municipal judge shall be removed only upon conviction of misconduct or malfeasance in office, or because of physical or mental disability rendering the judge incapable of performing the duties of the office.[ 1984 c 258 § 124.]NOTES:Court Improvement Act of 1984—Effective dates—Severability—Short title—1984 c 258: See notes following RCW 3.30.010.Application—1984 c 258 §§ 101-139: See note following RCW 3.50.005.
WA Rev Code § 3.50.097 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 3 - District Courts—Courts of Limited Jurisdiction|Chapter 3.50 - Municipal Courts—Alternate Provision.|3.50.097 - Judge's oath—Bonds.

RCW 3.50.097 Judge's oath—Bonds.Every judge of a municipal court, before entering upon the duties of the office, shall take and subscribe the following oath or affirmation: "I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Washington, and that I will faithfully discharge the duties of the office of judge of the municipal court of the city of . . . . . . (naming such city) according to the best of my ability." The oath shall be filed in the office of the county auditor. The judge shall also give such bonds to the state and city for the faithful performance of the judge's duties as may be by law or ordinance directed.[ 1984 c 258 § 110.]NOTES:Court Improvement Act of 1984—Effective dates—Severability—Short title—1984 c 258: See notes following RCW 3.30.010.Application—1984 c 258 §§ 101-139: See note following RCW 3.50.005.