Exploring the Washington State Judicial Branch

The video provides an overview of the Washington state court system, explaining its four levels: trial courts, appellate courts, and the Supreme Court. It details the types of cases each court handles, the appeals process, and the role of justices. The video concludes with a recommendation to explore educational games on icivics.org for further learning about government.

What types of cases do all levels of courts in Washington hear?

• Only federal cases

• Both civil and criminal cases

• Only civil cases

• Only criminal cases

What is the consequence of a criminal case if found guilty?

• Paying a fine or imprisonment

• Community service only

• Mandatory counseling

• Only a warning

What is the lowest level of courts in Washington?

• Municipal Courts

• Supreme Court

• Superior Courts

• Court of Appeals

What types of cases do Superior Courts hear?

• Felonies and family law cases

• Small claims of less than $5,000

• Traffic violations only

• Appeals from municipal courts

What is the role of the Court of Appeals?

• To decide on small claims

• To review appealed trial court cases

• To oversee municipal court decisions

• To hear new criminal cases

How are Supreme Court justices selected?

• Appointed by the governor

• Elected by the people

• Selected by the chief justice

• Nominated by the state senate

What criteria does the Supreme Court use to decide on hearing a case?

• Cases involving important constitutional questions

• Cases with unanimous lower court decisions

• Cases appealed from municipal courts

• Cases with a minimum financial dispute of $100,000

How much time do petitioners and respondents have to argue their positions in the Supreme Court?

• 60 minutes

• 45 minutes

• 30 minutes

• 20 minutes

What is the main purpose of the Washington State Court System overview?

• To recruit new justices

• To provide legal advice

• To advertise icivics.org

• To inform visitors about the court system

What is icivics.org?

• A portal for filing civil cases online

• A site with educational video games about government

• An online platform for legal advice

• A government website for paying fines