A court is a place (such as a chamber) for the administration of justice. And while most people think of judges (of which Seattle Municipal Court [SMC] has seven elected judges), there is more to making a court an official assembly for the transaction of judicial business. Today, SMC is… [ Keep reading ]
Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI, sometimes known as DEIB, to include belonging) has frequently been in the news this year. Across the country, DEI seems to be under attack. Countless universities, businesses and organizations have eliminated these programs. Yet at Seattle Municipal Court (SMC), DEI isn’t going away anytime soon. … [ Keep reading ]
The District & Municipal Court Judges’ Association (DMCJA) convenes an annual You’ve Been Served event to foster connections between state legislators and courts. This year’s event was held on Oct. 23 and had the theme Courts of Limited Jurisdiction (CLJs). Seattle Municipal Court (SMC) participated as a host site for… [ Keep reading ]
In an era with civics education on the decline, one important annual program at Seattle Municipal Court (SMC) is introducing Garfield High School (GHS) students to the judicial process through Seattle Youth Traffic Court (SYTC). Youth courts take place nationwide and are primarily made up of volunteer middle and high… [ Keep reading ]
Last Friday, Oct. 4, a majority of the Seattle Municipal Court (SMC) judges elected Honorable Anita Crawford-Williams to serve as Presiding Judge and Honorable Damon Shadid to serve as Assistant Presiding Judge for a two-year term, effective Jan. 1, 2025, to Dec. 31, 2026. Honorable Willie Gregory will remain the… [ Keep reading ]
In May 2024, the Seattle Municipal Court determined the issue of expired blood vials was of citywide significance per Seattle Municipal Court Local Rule, SMCLR 8.2.4. An en banc panel comprised of SMC Judge Catherine McDowall, Judge Damon Shadid, and Judge Willie Gregory. Hearings were held on September 9-10, 2024, and… [ Keep reading ]
Last Friday, about 250 people in need of Seattle or King County services stopped by Seattle Municipal Court (SMC)’s Community Relief Day at the Jefferson Community Center in Beacon Hill. SMC staff were on hand to help attendees set up payment plans for Seattle traffic tickets, as well as address… [ Keep reading ]
U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson was at Benaroya Hall in Seattle earlier this week, on Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, as part of her nationwide book tour to promote her book, Lovely One: A Memoir, that was released on Sept. 3. The book traces Justice Jackson’s extraordinary path of… [ Keep reading ]
Seattle Municipal Court (SMC), along with numerous social service providers, are hosting a Community Relief Day from 10 AM to 3 PM on Friday, September 27, at the Jefferson Community Center (3801 Beacon Ave S.) in Beacon Hill. Community members will get help with addressing SMC warrants and setting up… [ Keep reading ]
On May 20, 2024, Seattle Municipal Court (SMC) Presiding Judge Faye R. Chess issued an order on criminal motion regarding expired blood vials, having determined this issue to be of citywide significance per Seattle Municipal Court Local Rule, SMCLR 8.2.4. Per the order, an en banc panel of SMC Judges Catherine… [ Keep reading ]
