Superior Court jurisdiction

King County Superior Court is a general jurisdiction trial court responsible for:

• Civil matters involving more than $300, unlawful detainers, and injunctions
• Felony criminal cases
• Misdemeanor criminal cases not otherwise provided for by law
• Family law, including dissolutions, child support, adoptions, parentage, and domestic-violence protection matters
• Probate and guardianship matters
• Juvenile offender matters
• Juvenile dependencies, including abused and neglected children, children in need of services, at-risk youth, and truancies
• Mental illness and involuntary commitment matters.

 Policy on Immigration Enforcement

The King County Superior Court judges affirm the principle that our courts must remain open and accessible for all individuals and families to resolve disputes under the rule of law. It is the policy of the King County Superior Court that warrants for the arrest of individuals based on their immigration status shall not be executed within any of the King County Superior Court courtrooms unless directly ordered by the presiding judicial officer and shall be discouraged in the King County Superior Court courthouses unless the public’s safety is at immediate risk. Please see the full policy statement here.

Mission, Vision, and Values

The mission of King County Superior Court is to equitably serve the diverse public by administering justice through accessible, inclusive, and unbiased forums for the fair, understandable, and timely resolution of legal matters. 

The vision of King County Superior Court is: 

• Be open to all
• Be trusted by all
• Provide justice for all

The core values of King County Superior Court are:

• Fairness and timeliness
• Leadership
• Respect
• Accessibility
• Safety
• Public Service
• Innovation
• Collaboration

Strategic Agenda

In October 2023, the court approved a new 5-year Strategic Agenda. The goals of the court are organized into four 'Strategic Focus Areas':

1. Enhance the Court User Experience
2. Enrich the Employee Experience
3. Improve Court Facilities, Safety, and Security
4. Be an Adaptive, Innovative, and Responsive Court

Learn more about the Superior Court's Strategic Agenda.

Superior Court Annual Reports

Superior Court COVID-19 Response Report

The response of the King County Superior Court to the COVID-19 pandemic: Lessons learned and recommendations