This week, we’re celebrating the dedicated, caring people in our Programs and Services division. This team is a critical resource for clients at all stages of the court process. Our personal recognizance screeners are a key point of contact for people accused of a crime as they first enter the system. Pretrial services staff not only help people return for their next court date, but also build relationships and connect them with resources through the Community Resource Center. Probation counselors provide long-term guidance and support to help clients meet their court obligations and address challenges that may have led to their court involvement. And we have an excellent team of administrative staff, management, and volunteers who are a crucial part of this work. Programs and Services staff have been instrumental as we redesign our approach to supervision and work to transition clients out of the criminal legal system for good.
Two of our judges sat down with members of the Programs and Services team to reflect on their work. Watch David Saelee and Leah Pastrana’s conversations with Presiding Judge Gregory, and Jason Piña’s conversation with Judge McDowall, as they discuss how they came to work in the field, how the job has changed over the years, and share memorable client stories.
Thank you to all our staff who work hard to make a positive difference in clients’ lives. You can learn more about Seattle Municipal Court’s Programs and Services on our website, and learn more about Probation Services: