Seattle Municipal Court Presiding Judge Willie Gregory recently granted several motions from the Seattle City Attorney’s Office: the first to quash bench warrants, close, and dismiss 37 outstanding Prostitution cases; the others to quash bench warrants, close, and dismiss a total of 73 outstanding Driving While License Suspended in the… [ Keep reading ]
The Seattle Municipal Court (SMC) thanks the Office of the City Auditor (OCA) for its thorough and thoughtful review of SMC Probation, a post-adjudication jail alternative in which counselors are paired with clients to support them as they meet court-ordered obligations. SMC participated in OCA’s assessment, released earlier today, with… [ Keep reading ]
Last summer, Seattle Municipal Court (SMC) published an evaluation of our Probation Services department commissioned from the Vera Institute of Justice. With it, we made a commitment to our clients, stakeholders, and community to evolve our approach to probation and address racial and gender disparities. We have embraced the principles outlined in… [ Keep reading ]
It is with sadness we share that former Seattle Municipal Court Judge Fred Bonner has passed away. Judge Bonner had a long tenure with the court, serving from 1989–2014. He launched the first Community Court in Washington State and as a veteran, he was proud to help start our Veterans… [ Keep reading ]
Seattle Municipal Court (SMC) is pleased to welcome our new Court Administrator, Meg McCann, who will lead the administrative and operational functions of the court. Meg’s first day was June 1, 2021. As a government executive and lawyer, Meg brings a successful track record of delivering transformational change grounded… [ Keep reading ]
Beginning May 21, 2021, Seattle Municipal Court (SMC) will allow in-person appearances for all out-of-custody criminal cases and contested infraction hearings, in accordance with General Administrative Order 2021-02. Participants will still have the option to appear remotely for their hearing by video or by phone, unless directly ordered to appear in-person… [ 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 ]
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 ]
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 ]
