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.

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