Washington Courts Report

• Disability Justice Task Force: Ensuring Access, Dignity, and Equity

  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 

  --------  

  29:52

  --------

  29:52
• Court Security

  Another episode of AOC’s podcast, “Washington Courts Report” is now live! Listen in as host Patric Haerle interviews Kyle Landry, a Court Security Consultant for the AOC as they sit down and discuss all things court security. Landry oversees AOC’s Courthouse Security Office, which advises courts on best practices, conducts security assessments, supports court security committees, coordinates security grants, and provides advisory services to judges and court staff who receive threats, among other services.

  --------  

  17:36

  --------

  17:36
• Judicial Well-being

  This edition focuses on judicial well-being, as host Patric Haerle speaks with Spokane Municipal Court Judge Mary Logan about the Judicial Assistance Services Program (JASP). Chaired by Judge Logan, JASP is a joint committee of SCJA and DMCJA that provides confidential support to judicial officers through trained peer counselors, fellow judges and referrals to professional help. Founded in 2004, JASP addresses the unique challenges judges face in seeking support due to the nature of their roles. This episode arrives at a time of growing international attention to judicial well-being. Earlier this year, the United Nations General Assembly declared July 25 the International Day for Judicial Well-Being, recognizing the widespread stress, burnout, and stigma that judges experience globally. The resolution is a call to action for institutions to provide systemic support and protect the health and integrity of the judiciary. Listen now to learn more about how Washington’s courts are addressing this critical issue.

  --------  

  21:12

  --------

  21:12
• 2025 Legislative Review

  In this edition, host Patric Haerle is joined by Haily Perkins, Supervisor of the AOC’s Office of Judicial and Legislative Relations, and Court of Appeals Division II Judge Rebecca Glasgow, Chair of the Board for Judicial Administration’s Legislative Committee. Tune in to hear highlights from the 2025 legislative session, including a discussion of key bills impacting judicial operations. Perkins and Judge Glasgow provide insight into how the BJA develops and submits its legislative proposals, review some of the most significant bills affecting courts and the AOC at the and offer a preview of what might be on the horizon for next year. 

  --------  

  33:17

  --------

  33:17
• Innovating Justice: Yakima's Courthouse Clinic

  In this edition, host Patric Haerle interviews the Executive Director of Central Washington Legal Aid Quinn Dalan and Yakima Municipal Court Commissioner Wendy Winfield. who founded Yakima’s Courthouse Clinic Program, which received a 2024 Innovating Justice Awards for its work to finalize family law cases in Yakima. The award recognizes individuals or groups for providing exceptional leadership in helping courts across Washington State deliver innovative and responsive justice using a race equity lens. The Courthouse Clinic, founded by Dalan, Winfield and Judge Shane Silverthorn, has helped hundreds of individuals, often pro se or non-English speaking litigants, by assisting them in completing essential forms to finalize their agreed or default family law cases. Before the implementation of the Courthouse Clinic, individuals would arrive at court thinking that they were finished and were sent back and rescheduled, often numerous times, before they brought in the correct paperwork to the judge. Dalan and Winfield were able to provide access to justice for those who don't understand how to navigate the legal system and don't have the resources to hire attorneys. Today’s episode covers the functions of the Courthouse Clinic, how it got started, what motivates Dalan and Winfield to go above and beyond in their field and how they felt when the work was recognized with the Innovating Justice Award.

  --------  

  29:49

  --------

  29:49

More Government podcasts

Trending Government podcasts

About Washington Courts Report

Washington Courts Report: Podcasts in Family