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Four Seattle Municipal Court Judges Meet U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson During Her Book Tour Stop in Seattle

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 and Numerous Service Providers to Host Community Relief Day on Friday, September 27, 2024

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 ]

Seattle Municipal Court Hosts Judges and Journalists from The Republic of North Macedonia  

Seattle Municipal Court visited by delegation of judges and journalists from the Republic of North Macedonia as part of study visit.

Community Relief – Day, December 1, 2023

Seattle Municipal Court and social service providers are coming together to provide a Community Relief Day: Seattle Tickets & Social Services Event on Friday, December 1, 2023, 10 am – 4 pm at the Public Health/Chinook Building, 401 5th Avenue, Seattle. Community members can address unpaid Seattle tickets, Seattle Municipal Court warrants, and access a range of supportive services from partnering organizations.

Seattle Municipal Court Probation Receives Innovating Justice Award

On Friday, October 20th, Seattle Municipal Court Probation was honored with one of four Innovating Justice Awards by the Washington State Court’s Board For Judicial Administration. The award is given to individuals or groups who have provided exceptional leadership in helping courts deliver innovative and responsive justice by promoting race equity… [ Keep reading ]

New Videos Released to Help Individuals Navigate Seattle Municipal Court Processes

Seattle Municipal Court (SMC) has developed three explainer videos as additional tools for guiding court-involved individuals through court processes and procedures. At SMC, we understand that receiving a ticket or being summoned to court can be a stressful time, and that court processes may be difficult to navigate. We are… [ Keep reading ]

Seattle Municipal Court Transforms Probation Program to Provide More Equitable Client Experience

Seattle Municipal Court (SMC) is pleased to announce the completion of the Probation Evolution Project, an effort focused on improving client outcomes and minimizing disproportionate impacts probation has on women and people of color. SMC thanks everyone who participated in focus groups, webinars, and surveys to share their concerns and… [ Keep reading ]

Seattle Municipal Court Releases Analysis of Disproportionality in Assessed Fines and Fees

In March 2023, the Seattle Municipal Court (SMC or Court) completed a research report entitled, “Analysis of Seattle Municipal Court Imposed Criminal Fines and Fees.” The report is in response to a Seattle City Council Statement of Legislative Intent (SLI) SMC-001-A-002 and a recommendation in a Seattle City Auditor 2021… Filed Under: Equity and Accessibility, Fines and Fees, Racial EquityTagged With: , , ,

Seattle Municipal Court Partners with King County Municipal Courts to Resolve Outstanding Warrants

Seattle Municipal Court (SMC) is partnering with King County Municipal Courts to help individuals resolve their outstanding warrants through the Back on Track warrant amnesty program. The Back on Track program is a regional effort that ensures all individuals have the same opportunity to resolve their warrant, regardless of which… [ Keep reading ]

Taking steps to reform legal fines and fees

One very important area of criminal justice reform is in legal financial obligations, or LFOs: fines, fees, costs and restitution imposed by the court. A recent report found that “people of color in Seattle were consistently charged with more fines and fees per capita than White people, across all types of cases,” as this Bloomberg… [ Keep reading ]