Washington Court Records: Difference between revisions

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''[[United States|United States]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] [[Washington|Washington]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] [[Washington Court Records|Court Records]]''
| link1=[[United States Genealogy|United States]]
| link2=[[United States Court Records|U.S. Court Records]]
| link3=[[Washington, United States Genealogy|Washington]]
| link4=
| link5=[[Washington Court Records|Court Records]]
}}
 
=== Online Resources ===
 
*[http://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/Collections#RSID:26 Washington Digital Archives Court Records]
*[http://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/Collections#RSID:13 Frontier Justice, Courts 1854-1889] index
*[http://www.blacksheepancestors.com/usa/washington.shtml Washington Black Sheep Ancestors]<br><br>
 
== Major courts  ==


Major Washington courts that have kept records of genealogical value were established as follows:  
Major Washington courts that have kept records of genealogical value were established as follows:  


'''Probate Courts'''
== Probate courts ==
 
:Probate courts were the primary courts for probate matters until 1891, when this responsibility was assumed by the superior courts. In some areas, the probate court had concurrent civil and criminal jurisdiction with the district courts.
 
'''Superior courts'''
 
:Superior courts have had county wide jurisdiction over criminal cases and major civil cases, juvenile matters, and probate matters.
 
'''District courts'''
 
:District Courts have district wide jurisdiction with the superior courts over misdemeanors, preliminary hearings for felony cases, and minor civil cases.
 
*The Washington State Archives has online guides to the [http://sos.wa.gov/archives/FrontierJusticeGuidestotheDistrictCourt.aspx district court records] of Washington Territory.
 
'''Supreme Court'''
 
:The Supreme court has statewide appellate jurisdiction.


'''Availability'''
were the primary courts for probate matters until 1891, when this responsibility was assumed by the superior courts. In some areas, the probate court had concurrent civil and criminal jurisdiction with the district courts.


:The FamilySearch Library does not have copies of Washington court records. They are available at the county courthouses, or some courts have transferred their records to the [http://www.secstate.wa.gov/archives/ Washington State Archives].
== Superior courts ==


== Record Content  ==
have had county wide jurisdiction over criminal cases and major civil cases, juvenile matters, and probate matters.


For specialized courts see: [[Washington Vital Records#Divorce_Contents|Divorce]] • [[Washington Naturalization and Citizenship#Record_Content|Naturalization]] • [[Washington Probate Records#Record_Content|Probate Records]]
== District courts ==


=== Civil Cases  ===
have district wide jurisdiction with the superior courts over misdemeanors, preliminary hearings for felony cases, and minor civil cases.


=== Criminal Cases ===
=== Supreme Court has statewide appellate jurisdiction. ===


<br>{{Washington|Washington}}
The Family History Library does not have copies of Washington court records. They are available at the county courthouses, or some courts have transferred their records to the Washington State Archives at:


[[Category:Washington, United States]][[Category:Court records by U.S. state]]
*http://www.secstate.wa.gov/archives/
{{Washington|Washington}}
[[Category:Washington|Court]]

Revision as of 00:07, 28 July 2011

United States Gotoarrow.png Washington Gotoarrow.png Court Records

Major Washington courts that have kept records of genealogical value were established as follows:

Probate courts[edit | edit source]

were the primary courts for probate matters until 1891, when this responsibility was assumed by the superior courts. In some areas, the probate court had concurrent civil and criminal jurisdiction with the district courts.

Superior courts[edit | edit source]

have had county wide jurisdiction over criminal cases and major civil cases, juvenile matters, and probate matters.

District courts[edit | edit source]

have district wide jurisdiction with the superior courts over misdemeanors, preliminary hearings for felony cases, and minor civil cases.

Supreme Court has statewide appellate jurisdiction.[edit | edit source]

The Family History Library does not have copies of Washington court records. They are available at the county courthouses, or some courts have transferred their records to the Washington State Archives at: