On July 21, 2026, the en banc panel of Seattle Municipal Court (SMC) Judges Catherine McDowall, Andrea Chin and Damon Shadid issued their ruling on the Delta-9 THC cases. The defendants in these consolidated cases moved to suppress all Delta-9 THC results by the Washington State Tox Lab under Frye… [ Keep reading ]
This post is part four of the “From the Archives” blog series, a 12-part series exploring how the Seattle Municipal Court’s (SMC) work, people and spaces have evolved over time. Through conversations with Judges Andrea Chin, Faye R. Chess and Willie Gregory, this post explores how the bench has changed… [ Keep reading ]
This post is part of “From the Archives,” a 12-part series exploring how the Seattle Municipal Court’s work, people, and spaces have evolved over time. While courtrooms are the most visible symbol of the institution, much of what keeps the court operational happens far beyond public view. Two longtime employees,… [ Keep reading ]
For nearly 50 years, the U.S. has celebrated Law Day every May—a tradition first established by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1958 and officially designated by Congress in 1961. While Seattle Municipal Court (SMC) does not formally observe Law Day on May 1, the court hosts its own annual celebration later in the month, offering students and families… [ Keep reading ]
This post is the second in a 12-part series called “From the Archives” which explores different themes in the court’s history—highlighting how the work, the people, and the spaces have evolved over time. Click here to read part one. What the Work Looked Like Before digital case systems, court operations at Seattle… [ Keep reading ]
This post is the first in a 12-part series called “From the Archives” which explores different themes in the court’s history—highlighting how the work, the people, and the spaces have evolved over time. Historical Context The Seattle Municipal Court has been part of the City of Seattle’s civic infrastructure for well over… [ Keep reading ]
Fatoumata Diallo and Halima Mohamed recently wrapped up a monthslong job shadowing opportunity with Seattle Municipal Court (SMC) employees. They were participants in Legal Pathways at UW-Tacoma, a new initiative funded by the Washington State Legislature, that aims to help students interested in pursuing legal careers. Fatoumata recently sat down… [ Keep reading ]
On Oct. 22, 2025, the Seattle Municipal Court welcomed Washington State lawmakers to the courthouse for the annual “You’ve Been Served” event, an initiative designed to strengthen relationships between the judicial and legislative branches of government.
Red and blue lights blur through the cracked windshield. The car sits skewed at an angle, the hood steaming faintly. The teen driver’s hands grip the wheel, knuckles pale, heartbeat thudding in their throat. A faint smell of burnt rubber fills the air. It happened so fast—just a second of… [ Keep reading ]
On Sept.15, 2025, Seattle Municipal Court (SMC) Presiding Anita Crawford-Willis issued an order on criminal motion regarding Delta 9 THC testing and analysis, 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 Damon… [ Keep reading ]
