Washington Courts

08/25/2026

With back-to-school season underway, Washington State Capitol Campusis a great spot for visitors to enjoy some calm between busy days.

08/24/2026

NPJS - National Partnership for Juvenile Services has announced the National Juvenile Justice Leaders for Premier Professional Symposium
National event will bring juvenile justice professionals from across the country together to advance best practices, leadership, and improved outcomes for youth and families.
For more information about the National Partnership for Juvenile Services, please visit www.npjs.org.

SYMPOSIUM DATES
Pre-Symposium Leadership Institute: September 28-29
Symposium Welcome Reception: Evening of September 29
Symposium: September 30-October 2

𝐀𝐓𝐓𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 all Behavioral Health / Clinical Services, Community-Based Services, Court & Probation Services, Congregant Care Facilities, Educators of At-Risk and Justice-Involved Youth, Staff Trainers, Family Advocates and Community Supports professionals...and students.

Two weeks.

If you haven't registered for our Leadership Institute or National Symposium, there are only two weeks left to do so.

𝐒𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟒𝐭𝐡 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 to be apart of our amazing events in Seattle, highlighted by:
* 𝐼𝑛𝑐𝑟𝑒𝑑𝑖𝑏𝑙𝑒 𝑆𝑝𝑒𝑎𝑘𝑒𝑟𝑠
* 50 𝑊𝑜𝑟𝑘𝑠ℎ𝑜𝑝𝑠
* 9 𝐷𝑖𝑓𝑓𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑇𝑟𝑎𝑐𝑘𝑠
* 𝑆𝑒𝑒𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑂𝑙𝑑 𝐹𝑟𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑠 & 𝑀𝑎𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑁𝑒𝑤 𝑂𝑛𝑒𝑠
* 𝑂𝑝𝑝𝑜𝑟𝑡𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑒𝑠 𝑡𝑜 𝐿𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑛 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑌𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑃𝑒𝑒𝑟𝑠
* 𝐴𝑛𝑑 𝐻𝑎𝑣𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑎 𝐺𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑡 𝑇𝑖𝑚𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑎 𝐺𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑡 𝐶𝑖𝑡𝑦

We will have relevant content for various discipline groups working in the juvenile services profession so 𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲 to be a part of it all - https://www.npjs.org/training/national-symposium-on-juvenile-services

08/20/2026

What actually does it take to get back in touch with your child?
It takes more than most people think.

As Family Reunification summer events wrap up, we wanted to share a conversation with Tonia McClanahan from our July ‘24 podcast. We talk about the real effort, dedication, and heart parents put into reuniting with their kids, and why every step forward is worth celebrating.

If you’re in King County, you can still join us for our next Family Reunification event this month. Visit our website for details and come be part of the celebration. https://www.courts.wa.gov/newsinfo/index.cfm?fa=newsinfo.familyreunification

08/19/2026

Not too late to join us at the Thurston Resource Block Party. Open until 3 p.m! If you, or someone you know, has past drug possession convictions in Washington State, those charges may qualify to be removed AND be eligible for compensation. And if you live near or in Olympia, visit on-site representatives from AOC’s Blake Refund Bureau at the 3rd Annual Thurston County Resource Block Party to learn more!
If you can’t make the resource fair but want to learn more about the drug possession conviction relief, visit: www.courts.wa.gov/blakerefund.

08/19/2026

Not too late to join us at the Thurston Resource Block Party. Open until 3 p.m! If you, or someone you know, has past drug possession convictions in Washington State, those charges may qualify to be removed AND be eligible for compensation. And if you live near or in Olympia, visit on-site representatives from AOC’s Blake Refund Bureau at the 3rd Annual Thurston County Resource Block Party to learn more!
If you can’t make the resource fair but want to learn more about the drug possession conviction relief, visit: www.courts.wa.gov/blakerefund.

08/19/2026

We want to send our sincere congratulations to Washington State Court Administrator Dawn Marie Rubio, who has been recognized with the nation’s highest honor in court administration by no less than four national organizations! Dawn Marie has been presented with the 2026 Mary C. McQueen Award for Excellence & Leadership in Justice System Improvement by the National Conference of Chief Justices (CCJ), the Conference of State Court Administrators (COSCA), the National Association for Presiding Judges and Court Executive Officers (NAPCO), and the National Association for Court Management (NACM).

These organizations recognized what we have known for a long time – that Dawn Marie is a hard-working leader who is deeply committed to inspiring collaboration among hundreds of non-unified courts throughout Washington, and deeply committed to innovation that helps courts do their important work and helps Washington residents access the quality justice they need.

The Washington Supreme Court justices who nominated Dawn Marie for the award called her work at the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) “game-changing” because of the difference it has made. “She understands that, by working collaboratively with all justice partners and grounding our work in accurate data and evidence-based practices, courts can truly save lives and change futures for the better,” they wrote. Dawn Marie has also consistently championed the health and well-being of judicial branch workers, who often manage high-stress situations on tight timelines.

Congratulations again, Dawn Marie, and thank you for caring so much about justice, the people of Washington, and judicial branch workers.

Learn more about Dawn Marie, AOC, and the innovative programs she has helped establish in our press release. Link in comments.

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08/18/2026

We’re proud to share that Washington is being recognized as a leader in improving how courts respond to behavioral health needs.

Recently, Washington’s Administrative Office of the Courts joined court leaders from across the country to share ideas and learn new ways to support people who come to court, as well as court employees.

We’re also excited that Washington was chosen as one of only six states to take part in a new national program focused on improving behavioral health services in the justice system. Over the next year, leaders from across state government will work with experts from around the country to learn, collaborate, and bring new ideas back to Washington.

This opportunity recognizes Washington’s ongoing work to make courts more helpful, responsive, and supportive for everyone.

08/17/2026

If you, or someone you know, has past drug possession convictions in Washington State, those charges may qualify to be removed AND be eligible for compensation. And if you live near or in Olympia, visit on-site representatives from AOC’s Blake Refund Bureau at the 3rd Annual Thurston County Resource Block Party to learn more!

Back for its third year, dozens of community agencies and nonprofit organizations will be present on Wednesday, Aug 19 at Lakeridge Drive SW Olympia from 11am-3pm for a free event providing access to valuable services and resources.

If you can’t make the resource fair but want to learn more about the drug possession conviction relief, visit: www.courts.wa.gov/blakerefund.

For more info about the resources and services that will be at the fair, visit the Thurston County Washington Resource Hub or local news coverage for updates.

08/13/2026

Washington State Law Library shares a great learning opportunity that the National Center for State Courts is offering. A webinar on how courts can navigate generative AI use by self-represented litigants. This one-hour session will take place on August 19th.

We are always on the lookout for learning opportunities in the field of legal research and access to justice. The National Center for State Courts is offering a webinar on how courts can navigate generative AI use by self-represented litigants. This one-hour session will take place on August 19th. More information can be found here: https://www.ncsc.org/event/responsible-design-evaluating-testing-ai-tools-accuracy-and-reliability

[IMAGE: A photograph shows part of a laptop. A person out of frame is holding a notebook over the laptop and they are writing something in the notebook with a pen. Black text at left reads "Online Learning Opportunity."]