RALJ 9.1: BASIS FOR DECISION ON APPEAL

(a) Errors of Law. The superior court shall review the decision of the court of limited jurisdiction to determine whether that court has committed any errors of law.

(b) Factual Determinations. The superior court shall accept those factual determinations supported by substantial evidence in the record (1) which were expressly made by the court of limited jurisdiction, or (2) that may reasonably be inferred from the judgment of the court of limited jurisdiction.

(c) [Reserved.]

(d) Final Judgment Not Designated in Notice. The superior court will review a final judgment not designated in the notice of appeal only if the notice designates an order deciding a timely posttrial motion based on (1) CrRLJ 7.4 (arrest of judgment), (2) CrRLJ 7.5 (new trial), or (3) CRLJ 59 (new trial, reconsideration, and amendment of judgments).

(e) Disposition on Appeal Generally. The superior court may reverse, affirm, or modify the decision of the court of limited jurisdiction or remand the case back to that court for further proceedings.

(f) Limitation on Modification of Sentence. The superior court shall not modify the sentence imposed in a criminal case unless the sentence is incorrect as a matter of law.

(g) Form of Decision. The decision of the superior court shall be in writing and filed in the clerk's office with the other papers in the case. The reasons for the decision shall be stated.

(h) Discretionary Review. The decision of the superior court on appeal is subject to discretionary review pursuant to RAP 2.3(d).

(Originally effective January 1, 1981; amended effective September 1, 1991; November 7, 1995; September 1, 1998.]

RALJ 9.2: ENTRY OF DECISION AND ENFORCEMENT OF JUDGEMENT

(a) Entry of Decision In Superior Court. The decision of the superior court shall be entered immediately after it is signed by the judge, and shall be deemed entered for all procedural purposes from the time of delivery to the superior court clerk for filing.

(b) Transmittal of Superior Court Mandate. The clerk of the superior court shall transmit written notification of the superior court's decision to the court of limited jurisdiction and to each party not earlier than 30 days nor later than 60 days from the filing of the decision in superior court, unless a party files a timely notice for discretionary review.

(c) Entry of Decision in Court of Limited Jurisdiction. The court of limited jurisdiction shall comply with the mandate of the superior court and shall enter the judgment for enforcement in the court of limited jurisdiction.

(d) Enforcement of Judgment in Court of Limited Jurisdiction. Except as otherwise provided in these rules, enforcement of a judgment following termination of appeal shall be in the court of limited jurisdiction.

(e) Registration of Judgment in Superior Court. A judgment entered in the court of limited jurisdiction may be registered and enforced in the superior court as authorized by law.

[Amended effective November 7, 1995; amended effective September 1, 2002.]

RALJ 9.3: COSTS

(a) Party Entitled to Costs. The party that substantially prevails on appeal shall be awarded costs on appeal. Costs will be imposed against a party whose appeal is involuntarily dismissed. Costs will be awarded in a case dismissed by reason of a voluntary withdrawal of an appeal only if the superior court so directs at the time the order is entered permitting the voluntary withdrawal of the appeal.

(b) How Claimed. Costs must be claimed by serving a cost bill on all parties and filing it in the superior court within 10 days after entry of the superior court decision on the appeal. The party should itemize each item of expense claimed in the cost bill.

(c) Expenses Allowed as Costs. Only the reasonable expenses actually incurred by a party for the following items which were reasonably necessary for review may be awarded to a party as costs: (1) statutory attorney fees allowed for a superior court nonjury trial, (2) the superior court filing fee, (3) the expense of obtaining a copy of the record of proceedings and the log for the record as provided in rule 6.3, (4) the cost of preparing the transcript as required by rule 6.3A, (5) the expense of bonds given in connection with the appeal, and (6) such other sums as provided by statute.

(d) Objections to Costs Claimed. A party may object to items in the cost bill of another party by serving on all parties and filing with the superior court objections to the cost bill within 10 days after service of the cost bill upon the party.

(e) Award of Costs. The superior court judge who decided the appeal shall be informed by the parties if a dispute arises over costs. The judge shall decide the dispute promptly after learning of it, without oral argument unless the judge otherwise directs.

(f) Judgment for Costs. The costs claimed by a party shall be deemed awarded unless another party files and serves written objections within the time provided by section (d). The clerk of the superior court shall transmit a copy of the cost bill and any superior court decision allowing costs to the court of limited jurisdiction and a copy of the decision to each party. The costs awarded to a party shall become a part of any judgment entered under rule 9.2(c).

(g) Reasonable Attorney Fees. A request for reasonable attorney fees should not be made in the cost bill. The request should be made as provided in rule 11.2.

[Amended effective November 25, 2003.]