Wash. Rev. Code » Title 3 · Chapter 3.42
Revised Code of Washington

Wash. Rev. Code § 3.42.020 (2026)

✓ current as of May 2026
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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.
[ 2008 c 227 s 6; 1984 c 258 s 31; 1979 ex.s. c 136 s 16; 1961 c 299 s 32.]

Notes:

Effective date—Subheadings not law—2008 c 227: See notes following RCW 3.50.003.
Court Improvement Act of 1984—Effective dates—Severability—Short title—1984 c 258: See notes following RCW 3.30.010.
Effective date—Severability—1979 ex.s. c 136: See notes following RCW 46.63.010.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 5 cases (1 in the last 5 years), 1977–2022 · leading case: City Of Vancouver, V Crystal D. Boldt, 504 P.3d 862 (Wash. Ct. App. 2022).
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City Of Vancouver, V Crystal D. Boldt, 504 P.3d 862 (Wash. Ct. App. 2022). · cites it 19× “It provides a district court commissioner the same power and authority as a district court judge but prohibits a commissioner from presiding over a criminal or a civil jury trial “unless agreed to on the record by all parties.”
State v. Amodio, 40 P.3d 1182 (Wash. Ct. App. 2002). · cites it 4× “040 codified the provision challenged by Mr.”
State v. Porter, 563 P.2d 829 (Wash. 1977). · cites it 2× “" RCW 3.42.020. Hence within the confines of the statute a justice of the peace can function through a commissioner.”
State v. Moore, 871 P.2d 1086 (Wash. Ct. App. 1994). “RCW 3.42.020; RCW 2.24.050. The power of the office makes it essential that the County properly and publicly create and authorize it.”
HO-CHUAN CHEN v. Dougherty, 625 F. Supp. 2d 1091 (W.D. Wash. 2008). “153-7 at 46; King County Code § 3.42.020.) That policy aims to encourage employees “to report on improper governmental action to the appropriate county or other government official” and protects those employees from any resulting retaliatory action.”
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