Superior court judges and court commissioners hear felony and other criminal matters, civil matters, domestic relations matters, guardianship and probate matters, juvenile matters, and child dependency cases. Additionally, superior court judges hear appeals from lower courts and appeals from state administrative agencies.
The Washington Constitution provides that a case in the superior court may be tried by a judge pro tempore who is a sitting elected judge and is acting as a judge pro tempore pursuant to Supreme Court rule without the agreement of the parties. Otherwise, a judge pro tempore who is a member of the bar may try the case with the written agreement of the parties if the judge is approved by the court and sworn to try the case. The assignments of judges pro tempore are based on the judges' experience and provide for the right to a change of judge pro tempore once during the case.
The annual salary of the judges of the superior court is established by the Washington Citizens' Commission on Salaries for Elected Officials (Commission). The cost of the salaries for superior court judges are split by the state and by the county in which the court is located. According to the Commission's website, the Commission has set the current salary for a superior court judge at $203,169 with a proposed increase to $217,391 on July 1, 2023.
Pay for superior court judges pro tempore varies depending on the pro tempore's status:
The daily compensation for a retired judge of a court of the State of Washington serving as a judge pro tempore in superior court is increased to be consistent with the compensation paid to practicing attorneys in that work. For both practicing attorneys and retired judges, the compensation for each day of work as a judge pro tempore of the superior court will be 1/250 of a superior court judge's yearly salary.
(In support) The bill provides parity for retired judges working as judges pro tempore in the superior court. The current pay disparity for judges pro tempore in the superior court between attorneys and retired judges does not apply to other court levels. This pay disparity has made it difficult to recruit retired judges, particularly in rural areas. Retired judges have the necessary experience and would be helpful in clearing the backlog of cases in the superior court. Last year 11 counties used retired judges to help clear backlog and that could increase with this bill.
(Opposed) None.