Court Outreach Efforts

Adams County

Superior Court judges are active in public schools by participation in the statewide Judges in the Classroom program. The Adams County District Court offers packets to defendants to guide them through deferred findings on infractions.

Contact information for Adams County

Asotin/Columbia/Garfield County

Superior Court, combined under one judicial district offers presentations to students through the statewide Judges in the Classroom program, and volunteer programs such as the National Night Out. The Court also addresses local community groups such as the Lion's Club, Kiwanis and the YMCA regarding court activities.

The Asotin County District Court is active on a board offering grants to community outreach institutions. Employees of the court support community events, and judges discuss court activities to interested community groups and business leaders.

Contact information for Asotion, Columbia, and Garfield County


Benton and Franklin County

Superior Courts encourage school tours and are active in the statewide Mock Trial Competition. (Superior Court Judge Craig Matheson formerly chaired this Committee). In addition to speaking at schools, Superior Court employees speak to scouting groups and service organizations. The superior court employs a courthouse facilitator, has a volunteer guardian ad litem and CASA program. Franklin County Superior Court has resumed passport services, launched an extensive court website and consolidated all three courts into one jury system. http://www.cbvcp.com/frank/scourt/

District Court has started a restorative justice program and collects fees for the dispute resolution center-with customer service as a main focus. http://www.co.benton.wa.us/district_court.htm

Contact information for Benton, and Franklin County


Chelan County

Superior Court has hired a fulltime family law facilitator; maintains a separate pro se calendar; coordinates pro bono services; has implemented a program to put a judge or attorney in each classroom. The Court is also a pilot site for domestic violence software.

In addition, the court offers orientation for new jurors including information about courts, jurors and their place in the government. Superior Court appreciates and thanks the volunteer lawyers and the community for their support and involvement. http://www.co.chelan.wa.us/scj/scj1.htm

District and Municipal Courts have received rewards for outreach activities-teaching around the county. http://www.co.chelan.wa.us/dc/dc1.htm

Contact information for Chelan County


Clallam County

Superior Court is very active in the community. Judges are involved in Boys and Girls clubs, and serve on various boards, including the Peninsula College. Superior Court also employs a courthouse facilitator, has a pro bono program and settlement conferences for dissolutions. http://www.clallam.net/scourt/index.htm

Clallam County District Court offers brochures relating to infraction procedures, name changes, probation services and civil anti-harassment procedures. The District Court also participates in Superior and juvenile court programs, offering public tours of the courts and participating in Law Day activities. http://www.clallam.net/dcourt

Clallam County Family Court http://www.clallam.net/scourt/scourt_familycourt.htm

Contact information for Clallam County


Clark County

Drug Court Judge James Rulli has participated in many panel discussions and conferences including the Clark County Sheriff's Citizen Advisory Board, Washington State Association of Corrections Officers and the State Substance Abuse Treatment Programs. Superior Court judges actively participate in YMCA mock trials, speak at schools, conduct court tours, and speak at career development programs. http://www.co.clark.wa.us/supcourt/superior/index.html

The County Clerk employs high school student interns and conducts mock trials. The Clerk also teaches classes, speaks to community groups and oversees the court's webpage. Computer access is available in the courthouse lobby to the public. http://www.co.clark.wa.us/clerk/Home.html

Clark County District Court is active in YMCA mock trials, and has implemented an active Speakers Bureau. Judges disseminate information regularly through the local Press and Bar newsletter. There is a domestic violence court, mental health court and substance abuse court. The court participates in state, national and international seminars for domestic violence programs aimed at those involved in the development and implementation of specialized courts. The District Court offers self-help brochures, including the court's Driver License Restoration Program. http://www.co.clark.wa.us/DstCourt/DC/index.html

Contact information for Clark County


Cowlitz County

Cowlitz County routinely has students attend and observe felony criminal dockets. Superior Court Judges take time to answer the students' questions and give them an overview of the court system. Our local public television now airs our criminal docket video tapes. (not live but after video tapes are completed)

Judges speak at the local schools and many community groups. We have a drug court program in which Judge Warning has been very active in informing the public about.

Cowlitz County has a yearly event called Youth in Government Day held in May. This involves many of the local high school students who are assigned a department head or an elected official so they can learn about their jobs.

The County Clerk's Office uses volunteers from the community in their archiving old case files. They have had students perform their community service hours in the office helping out in many areas which enables them to learn about the court system.

The Cowlitz County Clerk has developed an extensive web site at www.co.cowlitz.wa.us/clerk. We have one of the only web sites which updates daily juror reporting information. Cowlitz County will be starting a part time courthouse facilitator program in 2003.

The Clerk's Office also has a collection program that concentrates on collecting dollars owed by convicted felons for restitution to the victims of crime and fines for costs associated with their convictions.

Contact information for Cowlitz County


Douglas County

Superior Court judges participate in school programs. The court also has a court facilitator and works assisting pro se's and others in court.

The Douglas County Clerk's office has started a collections program for crime victims.

Douglas County District Court has met with the sheriff's office, city clerk, senior citizens, schools and superior court to discover and address community needs. The results of those meetings include displays of brochures about domestic violence, DUI, and name changes. Jurors are asked to fill out exit questionnaires. The Court has also developed information for self-appointed litigants.

Contact information for Douglas County


Ferry/Stevens and Pend Oreille County

Superior Courts, combined under one judicial district offer a public access terminal at the courthouse and accommodates visitors, including jurors, as much as possible. The court also tries to maintain a high visibility in the county through public relations work. A court facilitator is provided at no cost to the county, with the exception of travel expenses. The court also offers a self-help center for family law matters.

Contact information for Ferry/Stevens County


Grant County

Superior Court has coordinated a community Volunteer Bailiff Program for the past 12 years, which recruits and trains groups of volunteers to serve as bailiffs for jury trials.

Judges participate in the classrooms and host student field trips. The court also has a facilitator, and court collector to work directly with the public. They also work diligently to help domestic violence victims and pro se's litigants throughout their process in the court system.

Grant County District Court offers bilingual staff, proficient in English, Spanish and Russian, and offer court forms available in multiple languages.

The Grant County Board of Commissioners recently hired a contractor to study the county and develop a strategic plan for public trust and confidence with the courts.

Contact information for Grant County


Grays Harbor

Superior and District Court judges are active as public speakers in the community, particularly in schools throughout Grays Harbor County. http://www.co.grays-harbor.wa.us/info/judicial/

Contact information for Grays Harbor County


Island and San Juan

County Superior Courts, combined under one judicial district, have a courthouse facilitator program and have instituted a credit card payment program.

A self-help center is available to pro se litigants offering instructions, resources and forms for purchase. A computer, printer and document assembly program for family law is also available for self-appointed litigants.

The Island County's Superior Court Clerk Office educates the public on genealogy outreach through court files.

Island County District Court offers packets for deferred prosecutions and encourages classroom visits and tours. The court routinely sends thank you letters to jurors and will speak at clubs when requested.

Contact information for Island and San Juan County


Jefferson County

Superior Court Clerk holds a domestic violence dissolution class once a month. The Superior Court has also recently instituted a court facilitator program, and superior court staff speaks regularly to school and community groups, as well as participating in local mock trial competitions with high school students. Judges regularly participate in a People's Law School.

Jefferson County District Court is also very active in the community, with one of judge chairing the public outreach law and justice council. Court pamphlets and brochures are made readily available to the public. http://www.co.jefferson.wa.us/discourt/default.htm

Contact information for Jefferson County


King County

Superior Court has organized meetings with community treatment agencies to further improve communications. After attending meetings with guardians/parents of disabled people, a member of the Certified Professional Guardian Board has worked to put consumer forms on website, thus creating a greater availability of materials. The Superior Court also coordinates a volunteer program with AARP to provide home visits in guardianship and minor settlements. http://www.metrokc.gov/kcsc/

The Superior Court's Unified Family Court features a Family Law Information Center to provide assistance to litigants representing themselves in family matters. A case management program provides better access to information about family-related cases and allows for increased coordination and possible consolidation of multiple cases involving the same family. A drop-in child-care center is available for people with young children.

Initiated in 1994, the Superior Court's Drug Court focuses on intervening in the criminal life style of the substance abuse offender with a history of multiple drug-related crimes. The program offers an alternative to incarceration by attempting to break the arrest-incarceration-release cycle. Individualized treatment and supervision plans are developed, with a graduated system of rewards. An offender may be terminated immediately from the program, if found to be disruptive to other participants or a threat to public safety. http://www.metrokc.gov/kcscc/drugcourt/

King County District Court has a mental health court, a drug court, and a domestic violence court at three divisions. It holds mitigation hearings by mail, has automated phone calls to check court dates, and has a DWLS relicensing program. http://www.metrokc.gov/kcdc/

  • King County District Court (Aukeen Division) judges participate annually in a food bank fundraising banquet. The judges speak at schools, and the court has a website available for forms and passport information.
  • King County District Court (Issaquah Division) conducts a variety of tours in which groups watch a jury video, visit holding cells, and sit behind the bench for a hands-on experience. Public hearings are held in court. http://www.metrokc.gov/kcdc/
  • King County District Court (Shoreline Division) holds a month-long concert series/community celebration on court grounds. Judges visit classrooms and there is also a Teen Court. The reminder call project that reminds defendants to appear continues; it has been expanded to electronic calls, has reduced failure to appear by 14%, and is being considered for the National Justice Achievement award. http://www.metrokc.gov/kcdc/
  • King County District Court (Federal Way Division) has one judge that visits high schools throughout the year. The court has brochures and handouts on a variety of topics. http://www.metrokc.gov/kcdc/fedway.htm

Auburn Municipal Court holds student traffic court, teaches a "Citizens Academy" with the police department three times a year, and makes presentations throughout the year to local service groups.

Federal Way Municipal Court is planning activities for Law Day and is researching the start of a Teen Court. The Municipal Court has also developed bi-lingual counter help sheets in the following languages - Spanish, Korean and Russian. http://www.ci.federal-way.wa.us/depts/mc.htm

Renton Municipal Court has instituted an outcome management program to allow best use of court resources. The court has mandated chronic alcohol offenders to take a breath alcohol test twice weekly while waiting for their case to be tried. It has also installed assisted listening devices for individuals with impaired hearing. The Municipal Court also produces and distributes an annual report to the community. http://www.ci.renton.wa.us/exec/rmcourt.htm

Seattle Municipal Court participates in local law school mock trials and a judge mentors law students. Parking and traffic hearings are conducted once a week in a neighborhood center. A court ombudsman resolves driving issues for defendants with cases in other jurisdictions, and the Court collaborates with King County mental health court to coordinate treatment services. The court participates on local committees addressing a variety of issues including jail work groups, racial profiling, and community forums on relicensing. The court offers community services such as adjudication by mail and credit card payments via telephone and Internet. In 2000, the Municipal Court issued a report to the community, highlighting the activities of the court. http://www.cityofseattle.net/courts/house.htm

Tukwila Municipal Court has developed the public defender application in Spanish. The court participates in the City Domestic Violence Taskforce to develop uniform reporting methods for treatment and compliance. http://www.ci.tukwila.wa.us/mayor/court.htm

Contact information for King County


Kitsap County

Superior Court coordinates with several schools on a mentor program/student visit program. Drug Court judges visit extensively throughout the community and actively participate in the People's Law School. http://www.kitsapgov.com/sc/

Kitsap County District Court judges and staff are involved in presentations and speaking engagements at local schools and community groups, and also participate in mock trials. Service Club invitations to speak are actively sought.

Jurors are asked to complete exit surveys and thank you notes are sent to them. Court rules and information is available on their website. http://www.kitsapgov.com/dc/

Bainbridge Island Municipal Court judges participate in Law Day activities and speak to students and groups throughout the community. http://www.ci.bainbridge-isl.wa.us/Court/court.htm

Bremerton Municipal Court holds an annual city open house and twice-yearly conduct Criminal Justice classes at the local community college. http://www.ci.bremerton.wa.us/maintenance/legal/municipal/municipalhome.shtml

Poulsbo Municipal Court offers a website with information on court procedures and defensive driving. http://www.cityofpoulsbo.com/Departments/Muni%20Court/municipal.html

Contact information for Kitsap County


Kittitas County

Superior Court judges speak to service organizations and schools. Classes of all ages come to the courthouse to observe judicial proceedings. Customer service is a high priority of the court.

Contact information for Kittitas County


Klickitat/Skamania County

Superior Court, combined under one judicial district, has a court facilitator and focuses on customer service.

Klickitat County East District Court judges participates in mock trials, speak to local schools, and are a part of the drivers traffic safety program, career day and job shadowing activities.

Klickitat West District Court judges participate in mock trials and spend time with Hispanic groups talking about the law. Brochures are currently being designed to address this population.

Contact information for Klickitat, Skamania County


Lewis County

Superior Court judges participate in the Judges in the Classroom program, mock trials, and encourage teachers to bring students to the courthouse. Legal Aid volunteers are available to help pro se's and others that need assistance. Customer service is a main focus of court staff.

Contact information for Lewis County


Lincoln County

Superior Court implemented a courthouse facilitator program in 2001. School and scout groups routinely visit the court.

Lincoln County District Court has a restorative justice program, a relicensing program, student court and is working on a public outreach program.

Contact information for Lincoln County


Mason County

Superior Court has a family law facilitator to assist with their outreach efforts. They are also in the process of establishing a drug court and the judges are involved in speaking to school groups.

Mason County Municipal Court (Shelton) participates in the Judges in the Classroom program and coordinated the People's Law School at Olympic College.

Contact information for Mason County


Okanogan County

Superior Court offers a courthouse facilitator. Local judges are actively involved in speaking to community organizations and mock trials.

Okanogan County District Court judges speak to community groups. They share information about the court and changes in the law. The court has developed informational brochures and is working on a jury outreach and education program.

Contact information for Okanogan County


Pacific/Wahkiakum County

Superior Court, combined under one judicial district focuses on customer service. A new microfiche reader is accessible to the public, and there is an information board, a website with forms and brochures available to the public.

The jury system has been automated, which is helpful to potential jurors.

Contact information for Pacific and Wahkiakum County


Pend Oreille County

Superior Court judges always speak to jurors after a trial and juror surveys are mailed out. The judges are also involved in speaking with students. A self-help center has been implemented to assist self-appointed litigants.

Pend Oreille County District Court focuses on speaking to public/private school and sends letters to school districts inviting classes to the court. Thank you letters are routinely sent to jurors.

Contact information for Pend Oreille County


Pierce County

Superior Court calendars and dockets are available on the internet along with court required forms for setting hearings.

Judges speak to the community and participate in mock trials. The court is in the process of developing an electronic imaging system for court document to be placed on the Internet. Volunteers give court tours and there is a video for jurors played on community television.

Monitors have also been installed in the lobby to display hearing times and locations. http://www.co.pierce.wa.us/abtus/ourorg/supct/abtussup.htm

Pierce County District Court's "Hearings by Mail" is a procedure started in November, 2000. Infraction defendants are given the option to fill out an affidavit stating the basis for their case, thus avoiding an in-person appearance. The benefits are access to justice for defendants unable to attend a court hearing due to job requirements, location, or a disability. http://www.co.pierce.wa.us/abtus/ourorg/distct/abtusdst.htm

Fircrest Municipal Court offers informational brochures and annual report to the public.

Puyallup Municipal Court's "Report-A-DUI" is new this year. This program rewards citizens who report possible DUI drivers that are consequently arrested and cited, with $50. An Alternative Sentencing Program allows an intensive one-day DUI education program rather than one-day in jail. The court also recently started a DUI Victim Impact Panel.

Contact information for Pierce County


San Juan County

Superior Court has a courthouse facilitator, a Juvenile/Parent Attorney assistance program and has hosted a Family Law Night for the last six years in cooperation with the County Clerk.

San Juan County District Court works at making justice less intimidating to the public. Simpler forms have been developed to assist self-appointed litigants. http://www.co.san-juan.wa.us/distrcourt/index.html

Contact information for San Juan County


Skagit County

Superior Court has a courthouse facilitator, and staff and judges speak to community groups. The Court also works with the paralegal program at the college. Public access terminals are also available at the court. http://www.skagitcounty.net/offices/superior_court/index.htm

Skagit County District Court participates in mock trials and Law Day; judges speak to community groups and in the classrooms. The District Court offers several self-help brochures relating to name changes, anti-harassment proceedings and the court's relicensing program.

The District and Municipal Courts offer cross-court payments throughout the county, and the District Court recently started a warrant amnesty program. http://www.skagitcounty.net/offices/district_court/index.htm

Contact information for Skagit County


Skamania County

Superior Court judges provide tours and educational materials for adult and youth education, participate with local Law Day efforts, and offer public information forums through the County Clerk's office. The court also serves as the single county contact for jurors.

Skamania County District Court is involved with Law Day and encourages tours of the courthouse.

Contact information for Skamania County


Snohomish County

Superior Court offers a self-help center for pro se's with 55 different packets, forms, instructions, courtroom protocols, resources for family law, etc. The court is working with local tribal courts to address the issues of crossover with domestic violence cases. Judges and staff are active in the community by speaking to schools and service organizations, YMCA mock trial competition, job shadowing for Law Week, and meeting with students and adults who visit the superior court. http://www.co.snohomish.wa.us/supcourt/index.htm

Snohomish County, South Division District Court celebrated Law Day with approximately 800 fifth graders at the court who heard from attorneys, judges, staff and teachers. Staff and judges do public speaking and oversee mock trials on a regular basis. http://www.co.snohomish.wa.us/distcourt/index.htm

Marysville Municipal Court participates in Law Day, provides tours for scout groups, and participates in a community outreach program to inform citizens about city departments.

Contact information for Snohomish County


Spokane County

Superior Court has a facilitator who assists the many people that come to the courthouse. Education classes are offered twice a week and the Court offers an annual report to the community. Staff also speaks to groups and organizations throughout the year. http://www.spokanecounty.org/superiorcourt/

Contact information for Spokane County


Stevens County

Superior Court publicizes public hearing dates and offers tours to community and school groups. Judges also speak at school career days.

Contact information for Stevens County


Thurston County

Superior Court offers the Family Treatment Court Program, a collaborative effort with the court and DSHS. The court also offers a website with forms and information. A self-help center for self-represented family law matters is provided. http://www.co.thurston.wa.us/superior/index.htm

The Thurston County Clerk's Office offers a Citizen's Guide to the Thurston County Clerk's Office, a family court facilitator, and maintains a website that includes forms, court calendaring information. The office also coordinates a Collection Officer Program. http://www.co.thurston.wa.us/clerk/

Contact information for Thurston County


Wahkiakum County

Superior Court focuses on customer service, offering packets of forms for self-appointed litigants and books available for legal assistance.

Contact information for Wahkiakum County


Walla Walla County

Superior Court is involved in Quest-a program for older citizens wanting to understand the court system. Court staff and judges are also involved in speaking to groups of all ages, mock trials, and courthouse tours.

Walla Walla District Court judges and staff speaks to groups whenever requested, are involved in community recycling program, and are working with the city on beautification programs.

Contact information for Walla Walla County


Whatcom County

Superior Court offers student tours, fraternal organization presentations, and has had several forums and open houses.

Contact information for Whatcom County


Whitman County

Superior Court judges and staff reach out to schools to invite them to visit the courthouse. They also speak to service organizations and each month invite the public to have dinner with county officials. http://www.whitmancounty.org/SCourt/

Whitman County District Court speaks to groups on the WSU campus to encourage them to avoid illegal activities and the consequences of a criminal conviction when seeking employment. http://www.whitmancounty.org/DCourt/

Contact information for Whitman County


Yakima County

Superior and District Courts have a web page and are in the process of putting together a pamphlet to assist those that come to the court.

They also have a family court facilitator program, with sessions are offered in English and Spanish. A guide pro se dissolution litigants through the court process using power point, handouts and staff to answer questions.

Contact information for Yakima County

 

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