Washington Courts: Press Release Detail

Judicial Fall Conference to include address from Oregon Supreme Court Chief Justice Wallace P. Carson Jr.

Funding crises in Washington and Oregon courts and courts throughout the U.S., as well as the emerging issue of regulating the speech of judges, are issues that will highlight the 46th Washington Judicial Conference scheduled for Sept. 21 through 24 at the Sheraton Tacoma Hotel.

Oregon’s Chief Justice Wallace P. Carson Jr. will discuss drastic budget cuts to Oregon courts and how they have affected that state’s justice system — closing courts on Fridays was one necessary step — as well as outline plans for the future. Washington judges will also hear an update from Washington’s Court Funding Task Force, which is in the midst of a long-term effort to study the state’s court funding system and recommend strategies to provide adequate, stable funding for the future.
      
Another session of the conference will focus on the developing area of regulating judicial speech, which has become an issue both nationally and locally. Judges will hear about the principles behind ethical restriction of judicial speech, as well as how to plan their campaigns and other public appearances to abide by the Washington Code of Judicial Conduct. 
      
A number of awards will be presented at a luncheon on Monday afternoon, including the National Center for State Courts’ Warren E. Burger Award which will be presented to retired Washington Supreme Court Justice Robert Utter, and the Washington State Bar Association’s “Judge of the Year” award which will be presented to Snohomish County District Court Judge Stephen Dwyer. 

Other sessions for judges to choose from include preventing conviction of innocent persons, non-stranger rape and the neurobiology of trauma, the large number of defendants with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, what happens when a judge is sued, new court rules on speedy trials, and more.
      
The Washington Judicial Conference is held yearly to provide continuing education to judges on emerging issues, new laws and court rules. Washington judges are required to complete a minimum number of educational credits in legal, judicial and ethical issues every three years.

Wendy K. Ferrell Judicial Communications Manager 360.705.5331 e-mail Wendy.Ferrell@courts.wa.gov

Lorrie Thompson Communications Officer 360.705.5347 Lorrie.Thompson@courts.wa.gov