Website Privacy & Disclaimer Notice

Section A. Introduction

This notice addresses collection, use and security of and access to information that may be obtained through use of the Washington Courts website which is maintained by the Administrative Office of the Courts. This notice covers the following topics:

• Information Collected
• Personal Information
• Public Access to Information
• Nondisclosure of Certain Personal Information
• Security
• Disclaimer
• Contact Information

Section B. Information Collected

What information we collect if you only browse this site. If you do nothing during your visit to our web site but browse, read pages, or download information, we will gather and store certain information about your visit. In most cases, this information does not identify you personally. We automatically collect and store the following information about your visit:

1. The Internet Protocol Address and domain name used (The Internet Protocol address is a numerical identifier assigned either to your Internet service provider or directly to your computer. We use the Internet Protocol Address to direct the web pages you see in your browser to you. This address can be translated to determine the domain name of your service provider (e.g. xcompany.com or yourschool.edu). If you own and use a domain name that is unique to you as an individual, we may be able to identify to you personally the actions you took in browsing our site and our responses.);
2. The type of browser and operating system you used;
3. The date and time you visited this site;
4. The web pages or services you accessed at this site; and
5. The web site you visited prior to coming to this web site.
6. Any words you may have entered into the search box, including any used as advance search criteria.

This information is logged and used by the Administrative Office of the Courts only to improve the content of our web services and to help us understand how people are using these services, so that we may continually improve the site's usefulness to the public.

What is collected if you volunteer information. If during your visit to our web site you send us an email, participate in a survey, or fill out a form, we may also collect and retain:

1. Your email address and the contents of your email including any audio, video, or graphic information files or formats you send us.
2. Information volunteered in response to a survey.
3. Information volunteered through an on-line form for any other purpose including the purchase of documents or services.

We may use your email address to respond to you, to address issues you may identify, to further improve our website, or to forward your questions and concerns to another agency for appropriate action. Explanations regarding use of information obtained from surveys and on-line forms are not addressed in this notice, instead these explanations can be found on the specific webpages where these surveys or forms are located.

We do not retain credit card numbers or expiration dates used in transactions for the purchase of documents or services contained in this website.

Section C. Personal Information

"Personal information" is information about a natural person that is readily identifiable to that specific individual. Personal information includes such things as an individual's name, address, and phone number. A domain name or Internet Protocol address is not considered personal information.

No personal information is collected about you unless you voluntarily provide such information to us by sending us an email, participating in a survey, or completing an on-line form. Your decision not to participate in these activities will not impair your ability to browse www.courts.wa.gov and read or download any information provided on the site.

Section D. Public Access to Information

In Washington, laws exist to ensure that state government is open and that the public has a right to access appropriate records and information possessed by state government. At the same time, there are exceptions to the public's right to access public records that serve various needs, including the privacy of individuals. Exceptions are provided by both state and federal laws.

All of the information collected at this website is subject to public disclosure. Personal information provided to us becomes a public record and is subject to public inspection, unless the information falls under an exemption or exception to federal or state public records laws.

This is a general audience website and we do not knowingly collect or request any personal information from children. Users are cautioned that the collection of personal information volunteered by children on-line or by email will be treated the same as information given by an adult, and may be subject to public access.

Section E. Security

As developer and manager of Washington Courts website, the Administrative Office of the Courts has taken several steps to safeguard the integrity of its data and prevent unauthorized access to information it maintains. These measures are designed and intended to prevent corruption of data, block unknown or unauthorized access to our systems and information, and to provide reasonable protection of private information in our possession.

This information should not be construed in any way as giving business, legal, or other advice, or warranting as fail proof, the security of information provided via Washington courts web sites.

Section F. Disclaimer

The Washington Courts website has links to other web sites. These include links to web sites operated by other government agencies, nonprofit organizations and private businesses. When you link to another site, you are no longer on the Washington Courts website and this Notice will not apply. When you link to another website, you are subject to the policies of that new site, including those policies governing privacy and disclosure of user obtained information.

Neither the State of Washington, nor any agency, officer, or employee of the State of Washington warrants the accuracy, reliability or timeliness of any information published by this system, nor endorses any content, viewpoints, products, or services linked from this system, and shall not be held liable for any losses caused by reliance on the accuracy, reliability or timeliness of such information. Portions of such information may be incorrect or not current. If you rely on any information obtained from this system, you do so at your own risk.

Section G. Administrative Office of the Courts Contact Information

You may contact the Administrative Office of the Courts with any concerns or questions and you will be directed to the proper division to assist you:

Administrative Office of the Courts
PO Box 41170
1112 Quince St. SE
Olympia, WA 98504-1170
Voice: 360-753-3365
Fax: 360-956-5700
AOCReception@courts.wa.gov

Section H. Disclaimer

Administrative Office of the Courts reserves the right to revise and update this Privacy Notice at any time by posting such revised Privacy Notice at the Administrative Office of the Courts home page. (Note: this change allows for revisions and updates and removes the specific URL references)

[Last Modified: March 1, 2014]