FINAL BILL REPORT

                  SSB 6351

                           C 73 L 00

                      Synopsis as Enacted

 

Brief Description:  Providing additional authority for superior court commissioners.

 

Sponsors:  Senate Committee on Judiciary (originally sponsored by Senators Kline, McCaslin, Heavey, Long, Shin, Thibaudeau, Sheahan and Costa).

 

Senate Committee on Judiciary

House Committee on Judiciary

 

Background:  The superior court judges in any county are authorized to appoint superior court commissioners to assist in handling the work of the court.  Such commissioners are able to hear probate matters, supplemental proceedings, adoptions, involuntary mental illness commitments, ex parte and uncontested civil matters, juvenile offender proceedings and enter default civil judgments.  They are not now authorized to handle any phase of adult criminal cases.

 

Summary:  The authority of superior court commissioners is expanded to allow commis­sioners to preside over a number of proceedings in adult criminal cases, including arraignments, preliminary appearances, probable cause determinations, appointment of counsel, review of conditions of release, waivers of speedy trial rights, continuances, and noncompliance proceedings.

 

Votes on Final Passage:

 

Senate 374

House980

 

Effective:June 8, 2000