Subject matter jurisdiction defines a court’s power to decide a lawsuit involving a particular subject matter, and to render an enforceable judgment. A court generally has jurisdiction when the particular claim raised in the case is within its constitutional jurisdiction—as provided by the state constitution or the U.S. Constitution—or because jurisdiction has been mandated by the state legislature or the United States Congress.

In Washington State, subject matter jurisdiction refers to a court's authority to hear and decide cases of a specific nature. The Washington State Constitution, along with various state statutes, delineates the scope of jurisdiction for different courts within the state's judicial system. For instance, the Superior Courts in Washington have general jurisdiction and can hear a wide range of cases, including civil matters, criminal cases, family law, and probate. On the other hand, courts of limited jurisdiction, such as District Courts and Municipal Courts, are typically restricted to hearing misdemeanor criminal cases, small claims, and certain civil disputes up to a specific monetary limit. The jurisdiction of federal courts in Washington, as in other states, is determined by the U.S. Constitution and federal laws enacted by Congress. Federal courts have jurisdiction over cases involving federal law, disputes between states, and cases where the parties are from different states and the amount in controversy exceeds a certain threshold. It is important for a case to be filed in a court with the proper subject matter jurisdiction to ensure that any judgment rendered is legally enforceable.