When so authorized by the districting plan, one or more district court commissioners may be appointed in any district by the judges of the district. Each commissioner shall be a registered voter of the county in which the district or a portion thereof is located, and shall hold office at the pleasure of the appointing judges. For purposes of this section, "appointing judge" includes a presiding judge pro tempore fulfilling presiding judge duties for a single judge court pursuant to RCW 3.34.100(2) or 3.34.150(2). Any person appointed as a commissioner authorized to hear or dispose of cases 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.
[ 2022 c 74 § 8; 1984 c 258 § 30; 1980 c 162 § 7; 1961 c 299 § 31; ]
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 § 6; 1984 c 258 § 31; 1979 ex.s. c 136 § 16; 1961 c 299 § 32; ]
District court commissioners shall receive such compensation as the county legislative authority or city council shall provide.
[ 1984 c 258 § 33; 1969 ex.s. c 66 § 4; 1961 c 299 § 34; ]