For the Record

Seattle Municipal Court implements virtual hearings for more out-of-custody arraignments, suspends jury trials through May 21, 2021

March 2, 2021

Seattle Municipal Court’s (SMC’s) Intake calendar, where many out-of-custody arraignments are held, will resume on March 3, 2021, with all hearings conducted virtually in accordance with General Administrative Order 2021-01. The court has been holding virtual out-of-custody arraignment hearings for mental health court, domestic violence, and driving under the influence… [ Keep reading ]

Filed Under: GeneralTagged With: COVID-19

Seattle Municipal Court Presiding Judge Willie Gregory Receives Innovating Justice Award From Washington Courts

February 19, 2021

Today, Seattle Municipal Court (SMC) Presiding Judge Willie Gregory was honored by Washington State Courts for exceptional leadership in helping courts deliver innovative and responsive justice using a race equity lens during the COVID-19 crisis by receiving the Innovating Justice Award. Judge Gregory was elected to the position of Presiding… [ Keep reading ]

Filed Under: Equity and Accessibility, News ReleaseTagged With: Innovating Justice Award, Judge Willie Gregory, Washington Courts

What’s new in Probation Services at Seattle Municipal Court

February 10, 2021

In June 2020, Seattle Municipal Court released an evaluation of our Probation Services department commissioned from the Vera Institute of Justice. Aligning with national best practices, the report laid out recommendations to help evolve SMC Probation Services and most effectively serve our clients. We are committed to implementing the report’s recommendations to… [ Keep reading ]

Filed Under: Pretrial Services, Probation Services, Programs and Services

Taking steps to reform legal fines and fees

December 22, 2020

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 ]

Filed Under: Equity and Accessibility, Fines and Fees, Tickets and InfractionsTagged With: legal financial obligations

New report: “Improving equity, fairness, and accessibility at the Seattle Municipal Court”

December 18, 2020

Early in 2020, before the COVID-19 pandemic and the national movement for racial justice sparked by George Floyd’s death, Seattle Municipal Court (SMC) had two community engagement efforts in the works: a court user survey and a series of court user focus groups. SMC has conducted court user surveys in… [ Keep reading ]

Filed Under: Community Engagement, Equity and AccessibilityTagged With: Access and Fairness Survey, community engagement, focus groups

Seattle Municipal Court requires remote hearings for most out-of-custody criminal and infraction cases

December 15, 2020

Seattle Municipal Court (SMC) is requiring remote hearings for most out-of-custody criminal cases and infraction hearings, effective Wednesday, December 16, 2020, until further order of the court. People with criminal or contested infraction hearings will attend their hearing by video or by phone. Non-contested infraction hearings will continue to be… [ Keep reading ]

Filed Under: News ReleaseTagged With: COVID-19, Seattle Municipal Court

Seattle Municipal Court suspends jury trials and some out of custody arraignments until early 2021

November 24, 2020

Due to the rapid increase in COVID-19 cases in Seattle and King County, Seattle Municipal Court (SMC) is suspending jury trials through March 3, 2021, in accordance with General Administrative Order 2020-13. Out of custody arraignment appearances set for Intake hearings in Courtroom 302 are also suspended until February 3,… [ Keep reading ]

Filed Under: News ReleaseTagged With: COVID-19, jury trials

Judge Catherine McDowall Confirmed to Seattle Municipal Court Bench

October 7, 2020

On Tuesday, September 29, 2020, the Seattle City Council unanimously confirmed Pro Tem Judge Catherine McDowall to fill the Seattle Municipal Court judicial position vacated by Judge Ed McKenna, who retired in April 2020. Judge McDowall was appointed by Mayor Jenny Durkan after a unanimous recommendation from a Judicial Evaluation Committee,… [ Keep reading ]

Filed Under: News ReleaseTagged With: Judge Catherine McDowall, news release, Seattle Municipal Court

Probation Counselors Prepare for Seattle Community Court with Community Service Site Visit

October 6, 2020

By Curtis Bright When the new Seattle Community Court launched on August 10, 2020, it was the result of over a year of planning and months of preparation by Seattle Municipal Court’s Programs and Services staff. Over the summer, Probation Counselors Leah Pastrana, Curtis Bright, Sokpul Chea, and Community Service Crew Lead… [ Keep reading ]

Filed Under: Pretrial Services, Programs and Services, Seattle Community Court

Seattle Municipal Court eliminates all discretionary fees for criminal cases

September 23, 2020

This month, Seattle Municipal Court judges voted to eliminate all discretionary fines and fees imposed in criminal cases, representing one step in a court-wide commitment to lessen barriers and increase equity in the legal system. “At a time when people are struggling due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and recognizing that… [ Keep reading ]

Filed Under: News ReleaseTagged With: criminal case fees, legal financial obligations, Seattle Municipal Court

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