Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Judiciary Committee |
HB 1028
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
Title: An act relating to court security.
Brief Description: Requiring cities and counties to provide security for their courts.
Sponsors: Representative Appleton.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 1/20/15
Staff: Omeara Harrington (786-7136).
Background:
District Courts.
Each county has a district court districting committee tasked with establishing, among other things, the name, boundaries, location of the district court, and number of elected judge positions and authorized commissioner positions. District courts have civil jurisdiction over claims with an amount in controversy of up to $75,000, and other civil actions specified in statute. District courts also have criminal jurisdiction of misdemeanors, gross misdemeanors, and violations of city ordinances, and may hear traffic infractions.
County legislative authorities are responsible for furnishing all necessary facilities for district courts, including courtrooms, furniture, books, stationery, postage, office equipment, heat, light, and telephones. Counties are also responsible for paying the salaries of district court judges, clerks, and court commissioners.
Municipal Courts.
A city may create a municipal court by ordinance. Municipal courts have jurisdiction over traffic infractions arising under city ordinances, criminal jurisdiction of all violations of city ordinances, and other actions brought to enforce or recover license penalties or forfeitures.
A city with a population of less than 400,000 is responsible for the costs of operating and maintaining the municipal court, including but not limited to judge and court employee salaries, dockets, books of records, forms, furnishings, and supplies. Similarly, a city with a population of over 400,000 must provide for its municipal court all blanks, books, papers, stationery, and furniture necessary for operating the court, except those expenses incidental to the operation of the court in matters brought before it because of concurrent jurisdiction with the district court, in which case the county is responsible for payment. All other expenses authorized by the city council or the county commissioners are paid out of the city treasury and county treasury.
Summary of Bill:
Counties and cities must provide security to district and municipal courts in order to: (1) promote safety and security for court facilities and proceedings; (2) ensure access to court proceedings; and (3) assist judges in carrying out their constitutional and statutory duties. Counties must furnish secure courthouses for district courts. Any city with a municipal court must furnish and pay the costs of courthouse security for the municipal court.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.