CrRLJ 1.1: SCOPE

These rules govern the procedure in the courts of limited jurisdiction of the State of Washington in all criminal proceedings and supersede all procedural statutes and rules that may be in conflict. They shall be interpreted and supplemented in light of the common law and the decisional law of this state. These rules shall not be construed to affect or derogate from the constitutional rights of any defendant.

CrRLJ 1.2: PURPOSE AND CONSTRUCTION

These rules are intended to provide for the just determination of every criminal proceeding. They shall be construed to secure simplicity in procedure, fairness in administration, effective justice, and the elimination of unjustifiable expense and delay.

CrRLJ 1.3: EFFECT

Except as otherwise provided elsewhere in these rules, on their effective date:

(a) Any acts done before the effective date in any proceedings then pending or any action taken in any proceeding pending under rules of procedure in effect prior to the effective date of these rules are not impaired by these rules.

(b) These rules also apply to any proceedings in court then pending or thereafter commenced regardless of when the proceedings were commenced, except to the extent that in the opinion of the court, the former procedure should continue to be made applicable in a particular case in the interest of justice or because of infeasibility of application of the procedures of these rules.

CrRLJ 1.4: DEFINITIONS

As used in these rules, unless the context clearly requires otherwise:

(a) "Court" means any court of limited jurisdiction.

(b) "Judge" means any judge of any court of limited jurisdiction and shall include every judicial officer authorized, alone or with others, to hold or preside over a court.

(c) "Prosecuting authority" includes prosecuting attorneys, city attorneys, corporation counsel, and their deputies and assistants, or such other persons as may be designated by statute.

(d) "Court day" means any day on which a court is open for the transaction of administrative business, including but not limited to the acceptance of papers for filing.

CrRLJ 1.5: STYLE AND FORM

The format requirements for papers being filed with a court are as specified in GR 14, except exhibits, the citation and notice, and forms approved by the Office of the Administrator for the Courts, need not be on letter-size paper (8-1/2 by 11 inches). The citation and notice shall be on a form prescribed or approved by the Office of the Administrator for the Courts.

CrRLJ 1.6: CONDUCT OF COURT

All judicial proceedings and trials shall be conducted in accordance with these rules. If no procedure is specifically prescribed by rule, the court may proceed in any lawful manner not inconsistent with these rules, or with any applicable statute. Questions pertaining to the conduct of the court and not covered by these rules or appropriate statutes shall be determined by the trial judge.

CrRLJ 1.7: LOCAL COURT RULES AVAILABILITY

Courts of limited jurisdiction may adopt in accordance with GR 7 such special rules not inconsistent with these general rules as they may deem necessary for their respective courts. The court, upon the adoption of such rules, shall keep a copy of them readily available for inspection.

CrRLJ 1.8: TITLE OF RULES

These rules may be known and cited as Criminal Rules for Courts of Limited Jurisdiction, and shall be referred to as CrRLJ.