Washington Courts: Press Release Detail

“These are Challenging Times” but Washington Courts are Innovative and Resilient: 2025 State of the Judiciary Report

A jury pay pilot project, a Hope Card program for those who carry protection orders, a new Disability Justice Task Force public survey, a successful defense against an attempted cyber-attack, a new Equity and Access strategic plan, how Blake outreach is changing lives… the work of Washington’s judicial branch the past year is presented in its 2025 State of the Judiciary written report released today.

The report details projects at the local court levels, such as award-winning projects to help court users, along with efforts and issues affecting the full judicial branch, such as a crisis in public defense.

“I appreciate the opportunity to provide this report on the state of Washington’s judicial branch,” said Washington Supreme Court Chief Justice Debra L. Stephens. “It is through the dedication of local and state courts that the judicial branch is able to meet the promise of open, safe courthouses and people-focused services. I am very grateful for our trial courts for the work they do every day in every corner of the state. They are a testament to resilience and innovation.”

Stephens presented the annual report to Governor Bob Ferguson, the Washington State Legislature, other state elected leaders, judicial branch leaders and to the people of Washington to keep them informed of the status of their judicial branch. The report is divided into sections involving news on equity and access, the administration of justice, new technology, new data and programs, and community outreach.

Stephens also gave a spoken address on the State of the Judiciary to a joint session of the state Legislature on January 22, which was recorded by TVW.

Previous State of the Judiciary written reports can be found on the Washington Courts website, along with additional information about the state’s Supreme Court, Court of Appeals and trial courts.

“These are challenging times for our courts, perhaps more than we have faced before. The needs of the communities we serve continue to outpace the resources we have to meet them, and everywhere social discord strains the framework of our democracy. But what has not changed is our resolve to keep courts open, safe and inclusive. We have learned that we grow stronger when we embrace our differences while focusing on what we share — an unwavering commitment to making real the promise of equal justice under the law for all the people across Washington,” Stephens said in the written report.

“I am grateful beyond measure for the privilege to work for justice, and to do so alongside the many innovative, committed public servants in the judicial branch whose work expands far beyond what we can capture in this brief report.”