DISTRICT COURT COMMISSIONER

Full Job Description

Snohomish County District Court is seeking a diverse pool of applicants for the position of District Court Commissioner to promote our mission to proudly serve our community with integrity and respect while delivering to all persons equal access to justice.The District Court Commissioner must reside in and be a registered voter in Snohomish County.

The Commissioner must also be a lawyer who is admitted to the practice of law in the State of Washington and a member in good standing of the Washington State Bar Association for five (5) years.

BASIC FUNCTION

RCW 3.42.020 Powers of Commissioners: Each District Court Com­missioner shall have such power, authority, and jurisdiction in criminal and civil matters as the appointing judges possess and shall prescribe, except that when serving as a Commissioner, the Commissioner does not have authority to preside over trials in criminal matters, or jury trials in civil matters unless agreed to on the record by all parties.

Requirements

STATEMENT OF DUTIES

District Court Commissioners shall report to the Presiding Judge and perform such duties as may be assigned by the Presiding Judge, including but not limited to:

1. Preside over, with all of the powers conferred upon the District Court, the following District Court matters:
   • Civil protection order hearings;
   • Civil infractions to include mitigation and contested hearings;
   • Impound hearings;
   • Name change hearings;
   • Civil and criminal bench trials;
   • Small claims mediation and trials;
   • Ex parte civil matters;
   • Criminal and civil motions;
   • Criminal and civil jury trials when both parties agree to have a District Court Commissioner preside over such trials;
   • In-custody hearings covering misdemeanor, gross misdemeanor and felony matters pursuant to CrRLJ 3.2; 
   • Weekend and holiday in-custody paper court pursuant to CrRLJ 3.2.1.
   • Criminal proceedings to include preliminary appearances, arraignments, bail reviews, reviews of the conditions of release, trial confirmation hearings, plea and sentencing hearings; 
   • Probation violation hearings; and
   • Therapeutic Court hearings.
2. Be on-call 24 hours per day, every day, to review and respond to law enforcement officer requests for search warrants or emergency protection orders, except when on approved leave.
3. Be present at the Courthouse during the hours of Court operation to review emergent matters and consult with staff, except when assigned elsewhere or on approved leave.
4. Attend and participate in bench meetings as directed.
5. Attend and participate in annual all-staff training and other trainings as directed by the Presiding Judge.
6. Attend and participate in annual pro tem training. 
7. Serve on committees as directed by the Presiding Judge.
8. Any other tasks or assignments as directed by the Presiding Judge.

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

A District Court Commissioner shall be a registered voter in Snohomish County and shall be a lawyer who is admitted to the practice of law in the State of Washington or who has passed the qualifying examination for lay Judges as provided under RCW 3.34.060.

Each commissioner must be admitted to the practice of law in the State of Washington and a member in good standing of the Washington State Bar Association for five (5) years.

Commissioners must reside in the county where employed.

SPECIAL NOTE

Appointment – District Court Commissioners are appointed by majority vote of the elected District Court Judges.

Term of Office – District Court Commissioners shall hold office at the pleasure of the appointing Judges.  

Additional Information