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 ]
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 ]
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 ]
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 ]
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 ]
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 ]
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 ]
Mayor Jenny A. Durkan announced her appointment of Catherine McDowall to the current vacant judicial position on the Seattle Municipal Court. Since 2013, Catherine McDowall has served as Judge Pro Tempore on the Seattle Municipal Court and King County District Court. The Judicial Evaluation Committee, which included representatives from several… [ Keep reading ]
