General Orders of Division I

In Re: Use of Initials to Identify Victims and Child Witnesses

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON
DIVISION I

In light of the increased availability of court documents through electronic sources, this Court concludes that additional steps are required to protect the privacy interests of victims and child witnesses in cases involving sexual misconduct. Accordingly, it is hereby

     ORDERED that in all pleadings, motions, and briefs filed with this Court, all parties shall use initials in place of the names of all victims and child witnesses in cases involving sexual misconduct, except for use of the victim’s or witness’s name in the existing case caption. The parties or the Court may address the case caption as provided in RAP 3.4.

     ORDERED that, unless otherwise ordered by the Court, a record on appeal containing the names of victims or child witnesses in cases involving sexual misconduct is not subject to redaction. However, if portions of the record are copied into a party’s pleadings, motions, or briefs or into an attached appendix, the copied record shall be redacted so as to replace the names of victims and child witnesses with initials.

     ORDERED that this Court shall use initials in place of the names of all victims and child witnesses in cases involving sexual misconduct in all opinions, orders, and rulings, except for use of the victim’s or witness’s name in the existing case caption. The parties or the Court may address the case caption as provided in RAP 3.4.

DATED this 16th day of May, 2025

FOR THE COURT:

Cecily C. Hazelrigg, Chief Judge
Division 1