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Cross-references: Chapters 3.30 – 3.74 RCW: Justice courts.
There is hereby established, effective at noon on the second Monday in January, 1967, one Justice Court District in Cowlitz County, Washington, encompassing the entire county, to be known as the "Cowlitz County Justice Court District." The said District shall have three full-time Justices of the Peace, to be designated Department No. 1, Department No. 2, and Department No. 3.
(Ord. 828 § I, 2-21-1966; Res. 6211, 6-6-1979; Res. 08-093, 8-5-2008)
The location of the central office, courtroom and records of the Cowlitz County Justice Court District, as created effective at noon on the second Monday in January, 1967, shall be the existing Justice of the Peace Court Room and adjacent offices in the Hall of Justice or such other suitable locations as shall be determined by the Board of County Commissioners.
(Ord. 828 § III, 2-21-1966; Res. 6211, 6-6-1979)
The cities and towns in Cowlitz County may select a Justice of the Peace of the Cowlitz County Justice Court District as their municipal judge, the allocation of time and salary of the Justices of Peace shall be in such amounts as are agreed upon by the Board of County Commissioners and the governing body of the city or town. Generally, the salary of a Justice of the Peace serving a municipal department part-time shall be paid jointly by Cowlitz County and the city or town in the same proportion as the time of the Justice has been allocated to each.
(Ord. 828 § IV, 2-21-1966; Res. 6211, 6-6-1979)
The Justices of the Peace are hereby authorized to appoint one or more Justice Court Commissioners. Each Commissioner so appointed shall serve at the pleasure of the Justice of the Peace appointing him and shall have such power as the Justice of the Peace possesses and shall prescribe in criminal matters only. Each Commissioner shall have the same qualifications required of a Justice of the Peace. If authorized by the legislative body of any city or town in the county, one or more Municipal Court Commissioners may be appointed.
(Res. 6211, 6-6-1979)
One of the full-time Justices of the Peace of Cowlitz County Justice Court District shall act as Presiding Judge. The Presiding Judge shall have the power to assign such cases to the other Justices as may be necessary and reasonable. The office of the Presiding Judge shall rotate between the two full-time Justices in the same manner as provided for Superior Courts of the State of Washington.
(Ord. 828 § V, 2-21-1966; Res. 6211, 6-6-1979)
There is hereby created the office of Clerk of the Cowlitz County Justice Court District. The Clerk shall have such duties as are prescribed by law and such other duties as may be designated by the presiding judge. The Clerk's office shall be at the central office of the Cowlitz County Justice Court District and the Clerk shall serve at the pleasure of the presiding judge.
One or more Deputy Clerks may be appointed by the Justices of the Peace of the Cowlitz County Justice Court District to serve at the pleasure of the Justices of the Peace, said Deputy or Deputies shall have such duties as are prescribed by law and such other duties as may be designated by the Justices of the Peace.
The compensation of the Clerk and the Deputy Clerk or Clerks shall be fixed by the County Commissioners.
(Ord. 828 § VIII, 2-21-1966; Res. 6211, 6-6-1979)
This chapter may be referred to as the "Cowlitz County Justice Court Districting Plan."
(Ord. 828 § XII, 2-21-1966; Res. 6211, 6-6-1979)
If any section, subsection, or other portion of this chapter is for any reason held invalid or unconstitutional by any court of competent jurisdiction, such section or portion shall be deemed a separate provision of this chapter and such holding shall not affect the validity of the remaining portion of this chapter.
(Ord. 828 § X, 2-21-1966; Res. 6211, 6-6-1979)