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King County Washington home

King County Superior Court history

Explore the history of King County Superior Court.

King County Superior Court has been a pillar of justice and civic life since 1889. 

King County Superior Court exists to resolve legal disputes. As a general jurisdiction trial court, we can hear any kind of civil or criminal case, including family law, and juvenile cases. We also hear appeals from District and Municipal Courts.

This section of our site provides information about the history of King County Superior Court, including:

  • Past members of the King County Superior Court bench
  • Evolution of King County Superior Court programs and services
  • How King County Superior Court has responded to challenges and the changing legal needs of the community
  • Cases in the history of Superior Court that are notable for their historical, legal, and/or cultural importance.

Historical moments in Superior Court history

  • Timeline of significant historical events in King County Superior Court history

  • Superior Court’s footprint throughout King County

    • The downtown courthouse
    • Building the Maleng Regional Justice Center (MRJC)
    • Youth Services Center and the Clark Children and Family Justice Center (YSC and CCFJC)
    • Involuntary Treatment Act (ITA) Court at Harborview Medical Center

  • Innovations in case management

    • 1980s Court backlog crisis and changes in court management
    • Family Law and the beginning of Unified Family Court
    • King County response to over-incarceration led by Superior Court: JJOMP and AJJOMP
    • The Court's Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic and Adoption of Remote Technology

  • History of Superior Court written by Judges and Staff

  • Judge Story Birdseye’s History
  • Judge William Wilkins’ autobiography  
  • Judge J.T. Ronald’s autobiography  
  • Claudia Olney’s notes   
  • Additional histories 

Notable King County Superior Court cases 

  • State of Washington v. Julius Cohn - 1928
  • Milton V. Price and Bernice K. Price v. Evergreen Cemetery Company of Seattle - 1953
  • John J. O'Meara v. Washington State Board Against Discrimination - 1959

The bench throughout the years

View a list of former King County Superior Court judges and select en banc photos

  • Seattle Times article: After 100 years at the King County Courthouse, Ella Shepard Bush’s portraits of judges are now lost and/or damaged (June 17, 2022)