Washington Courts Report

It’s Civic Learning Week — a national effort to highlight the importance of civic education in sustaining and strengthening our democracy.

To mark the occasion, host Patric Haerle sits down with Supreme Court Justice Sal Mungia for a conversation on all things civics: why civics education matters, the role of Mock Trials and the Traveling Court program, his recent experience serving jury duty and what it taught him, his work with a local school district, and his recommendations for accessible civic resources.

Listen now and join the Civic Learning Week conversation.

Want to catch up on some of the biggest developments from the past year in Washington Courts? Tune in to the latest episode of Washington Courts Report!

In this episode, host Patric Haerle walks through key takeaways from the 2026 State of the Judiciary Report, released this week to inform lawmakers and the public about the challenges, innovations, leadership updates, and major court news from the past year.

Highlights include:
• Updates from the Supreme Court’s Minority and Justice Commission
• Newly adopted scoring changes for Washington’s Universal Bar Exam
• Progress in the Hope Card program and Blake relief efforts
• A historic transition underway at the Washington Supreme Court

New episodes are released monthly. Be sure to subscribe the Washington Courts YouTube page or follow Washington Courts Report on Spotify and Apple Podcasts to stay up to date.

We’d love to hear from you. Share what’s happening in your court or suggest future topics by emailing [email protected].

What makes a great court administrator? Find out in the newest episode of Washington Courts Report!

In our January edition, host Patric Haerle talks with Marlynn Markley, the 2025 Court Manager of the Year, about her 43 years of service with Whitman County District Court and what it takes to be an effective court administrator.

In the second half, Patric is joined by Dawn Marie Rubio, State Court Administrator, and Linnea Anderson, San Juan County Juvenile Court Administrator — co-chairs of the Court Management Council. They share insights on the Council’s role, the award selection process, and the leadership qualities that make a court administrator stand out.

The Court Management Council presents this award annually to individuals whose leadership has transformed their courts and inspired others to take action for the greater good.

Keep an eye out for new podcast episodes releasing monthly by subscribing to the Washington Courts YouTube page or by following Washington Courts Report on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

We’d love to hear from you! Share what’s happening in your court or suggest topics you’d like us to explore. Send your ideas, news, or feedback to host [email protected] for consideration in future episodes.

In our November edition, host Patric Haerle explores the vital work of the Washington Supreme Court’s Minority and Justice Commission (MJC). The Commission is dedicated to ensuring that all courts in Washington remain free of bias, so that justice is administered fairly and impartially.

Listen in as Patric speaks with Judge Veronica Galvan, co-chair of the Commission, and Frank Thomas, Senior Commission Staff. Together, they discuss the history of the MJC, the impact of its Annual Symposium over the years, and the lasting contributions of former co-chair Justice Mary Yu.

Keep an eye out for new podcast episodes releasing monthly by subscribing to the Washington Courts YouTube page or by following Washington Courts Report on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

We’d love to hear from you! Share what’s happening in your court or suggest topics you’d like us to explore. Send your ideas, news, or feedback to host [email protected] for consideration in future episodes.

 

MJC Homepage: Washington State Courts Washington Courts

Annual Symposium: Washington State Supreme Court / Minority and Justice Symposium - TVW

In this episode of the Washington Courts Report, we explore the groundbreaking work of the Disability Justice Task Force (DJTF), formed by the Washington State Supreme Court in January 2022 to transform how people with disabilities experience the court system.

Host Patric Haerle speaks with Supreme Court Justice Helen Whitener and AOC Senior Program Analyst Joslyn Nelson about the first-of-its-kind study that goes far beyond ADA compliance. This 600+ page report focuses on lived experiences, intersectionality, procedural equity, and real-world barriers that people with both visible and non-visible disabilities face when engaging with the justice system.

Over 650 court professionals and users participated in an unprecedented response, revealing systemic challenges such as inaccessible courthouse infrastructure, fear of requesting accommodations, and bias in court processes. Justice Whitener and Nelson discuss proposed rule changes to GR 33 (disability accommodations) and GR 31 (privacy and public disclosure protections), as well as the need for ongoing funding to support this transformative work.

Learn more about the Disability Justice Task Force: https://www.courts.wa.gov/disability-justice-task-force/

DJTF Study: https://www.courts.wa.gov/disability-justice-task-force/public/FINAL-DJTF-STUDY-REPORT.pdf