Washington State

Office of the Attorney General

Attorney General

Bob Ferguson

AGO 1957 NO. 50 >

(1) A court commissioner need not be a lawyer.  (2) The positions of court commissioner and chief probation officer are incompatible.  (3) A court commissioner is authorized to hear and determine all matters properly within the jurisdiction of the juvenile court.

AGO 1953 NO. 463 >

The broad power granted court commissioners by the constitution has been specifically defined by the legislature, and does not include the power to perform marriage ceremonies.