Editing Whatcom County, Washington (section)

===County government===
The charter establishes the structure of Whatcom County government. The [[Whatcom County Council]] holds legislative powers granted to counties. The council consists of seven members elected for a term of four years. Council members are elected at the general election in November of odd-numbered years. Three council members are elected one year before a presidential election; four council members are elected one year after a presidential election. One member is elected from each of the five districts; two members are elected [[at-large]], which favors candidates who can command a majority of voters. The county council also serves as the county board of health.<ref>{{Cite web |title=County Council - Whatcom County, WA - Official Website |url=http://www.co.whatcom.wa.us/council/index.jsp |access-date=August 19, 2017 |website=co.whatcom.wa.us}}</ref>

The executive branch consists of six elected officials, a [[Whatcom County Executive|county executive]], and five department heads. The county executive is similar to a mayor or governor. The assessor, auditor, prosecuting attorney, [[Whatcom County Sheriff's Office (Washington)|sheriff]], and treasurer are elected independently from the county executive and council. These six officials serve four-year terms.<ref name="elected">{{Cite web |title=County Elected Officials |url=http://www.co.whatcom.wa.us/contact/officials.jsp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080527175237/http://www.co.whatcom.wa.us/contact/officials.jsp |archive-date=May 27, 2008 |access-date=August 19, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=County Code and Charter |url=http://srch.mrsc.org:8080/code/template.htm?view=main |access-date=August 19, 2017}}</ref> The county council establishes various departments by ordinance. The county council or county executive appoint department heads. These departments include administrative services, health, medical examiner, planning and development services, parks and recreation, and public works.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Complete List of County Departments & Offices |url=http://www.whatcomcounty.us/contact/departments.jsp |access-date=August 19, 2017 |website=Whatcom County Official Website}}</ref>

The judicial branch consists of a district court and superior court. The district court is a court of limited jurisdiction that handles civil and criminal cases. Criminal cases are limited to adults charged with misdemeanor or gross misdemeanor offenses. State law specifies what cases are in the district court's jurisdiction. The district court operates a small claims court to resolve civil cases involving monetary damages not exceeding $5,000. No attorneys are permitted to appear in small claims court. Cases are heard using less formal procedures.<ref name="dc">{{Cite web |title=District Court |url=http://www.whatcomcounty.us/districtcourt/ |access-date=August 19, 2017 |website=Whatcom County Official Website}}</ref> The district court has two judges, a court commissioner, and a support staff.

The superior court is a court of general jurisdiction.<ref name=elected/><ref name=dc/> Superior court hears civil cases exceeding $75,000 or requesting non-monetary remedies.<ref name="sc">{{Cite web |title=Whatcom County Superior Court |url=http://www.whatcomcounty.us/superiorcourt/ |access-date=August 19, 2017}}</ref> Superior court hears all juvenile criminal cases and all adult felony cases. Superior court also hears appeals from district court and municipal courts.<ref name=sc/> Superior court staff include three judges, three full-time court commissioners, two part-time court commissioners, and support staff. District and superior court judges are elected by the county voters for a term of four years. Court commissioners are appointed by elected judges; commissioners have powers and responsibilities equal to elected judges.