Superior courts are courts of general jurisdiction and handle 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 number of superior court judges in each county is set by statute.  Any change in the number of full- and part-time judges in a county's superior court is determined by the Legislature after receiving a recommendation from the Board for Judicial Administration (BJA).  The BJA's recommendation is based on an objective workload analysis developed annually by the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC).  The objective workload analysis takes into account available judicial resources and the caseload activity of the court. 

Article 4, section 13 of the Washington Constitution provides that the state and the county share the cost for superior court judges.  Benefits and one-half of the salary of a superior court judge are paid by the state.  The other half of the judge's salary and all other costs associated with a judicial position, such as capital and support staff costs, are borne by the county.

An additional superior court judicial position is created in Whatcom County, changing the number of superior court judges from four to five.