Washington Courts Report

Civics Education with Justice Sal Mungia

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.

What's New in Washington Courts: 2026 State of the Judiciary Report

 
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 Patric.Haerle@courts.wa.gov.

2025 Court Manager of the Year: Leadership That Makes a Difference

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 Patric.Haerle@courts.wa.gov for consideration in future episodes.

Minority and Justice Commission: Building Bias Free Courts

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 Patric.Haerle@courts.wa.gov for consideration in future episodes.
 
MJC Homepage: Washington State Courts Washington Courts
Annual Symposium: Washington State Supreme Court / Minority and Justice Symposium - TVW

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 

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.

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.

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. 

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.

Innovating Justice: Pierce County Pathways to Progress

In this edition, host Patric Haerle interviews one of the recipients of the 2024 Innovating Justice Awards, Dom Hardeman, Pierce County District Court’s Probation Manager, on Pierce County’s one-of-a-kind Pathways to Progress Program. 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 program, which was created by Hardeman, has helped hundreds of justice-impacted individuals by connecting them to essential services for recovery and reintegration, such as behavioral health services, employment connections and training, and housing services.
Topics of conversation for today’s episode include the creation of Pathways to Progress, how the program is innovating justice in Pierce County, and what motivates Hardeman to go above and beyond in his work serving Pierce County.