Washington Courts: Press Release Detail

State of the Judiciary describes progress and challenges in Washington courts

February 07, 2017

OLYMPIA, WA – Washington courts in the past year have taken steps to understand and address the impacts of pre-trial practices, legal fines and fees, loss of licensing, the growing population of vulnerable elderly, a lack of jury diversity, lack of help for residents with civil legal problems, and more in the judicial branch’s continuing efforts to improve the delivery of justice in Washington.

New Washington Supreme Court Chief Justice Fairhurst and former Chief Justice Barbara Madsen discuss the progress and challenges of the state judicial branch in the written 2017 State of the Judiciary report, released today.

The State of the Judiciary report is delivered by the chief justice each year to the other branches of government and Washington residents to provide an account of the work of the courts and the primary issues facing the judicial branch.

The 2017 State of the Judiciary report can be found at http://www.courts.wa.gov/newsinfo/content/StateoftheJudiciary2017.cfm.

Former Chief Justice Barbara Madsen served two terms as the head of the judicial branch, turning over the gavel on January 9, 2017 to new Chief Justice Mary Fairhurst. The chief Justice is the lead spokesperson and administrative head of the judicial branch, and is elected every four years by the nine justices of the Court.

For more information on the Supreme Court, visit http://www.courts.wa.gov/appellate_trial_courts/SupremeCourt/?fa=supremecourt.welcome

 


Washington Courts Media Contacts:

Wendy K. Ferrell
Judicial Communications Manager
360.705.5331
e-mail Wendy.Ferrell@courts.wa.gov
Lorrie Thompson
Senior Communications Officer
360.705.5347
Lorrie.Thompson@courts.wa.gov
 

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