1202 AMH JUDI PERR 13

HB 1202 - H COMM AMD ADOPTED 03/09/99

By Committee on Judiciary

     On page 4, after line 26, add the following:

     "Sec. 12.  RCW 35.20.205 and 1980 c 128 ' 7 are each amended to read as follows: 

     The judges of the municipal court may employ judicial officers to assist in the administration of justice and the accomplishment of the work of the court as said work may be assigned to it by statute or ordinance.  The duties and responsibilities of such officers shall be judicial in nature and shall be fixed by court rule as adopted by the municipal court judges or fixed by ordinance of the city.  The judicial officers may be authorized to hear and determine cases involving the commission of traffic infractions as provided in chapter 46.63 RCW and other cases involving the commission of civil infractions and violations as provided for in chapter 7.80 RCW.  The mayor may appoint the judicial officers as judges pro tempore pursuant to RCW 35.20.200:  PROVIDED, That the judicial officer need not be a resident of the city.

     To utilize the services of such judicial officers for the purpose of hearing contested matters relating to the interest of the city and its citizens and the operation of the various departments of the city, the city may by ordinance create the office of hearing examiner in the municipal court and assign to it judicial duties and responsibilities."

Correct the title.

EFFECT:  Allows magistrates in the Seattle Municipal Court to hear civil infractions other than just traffic infractions.