NCJ Number
74463
Date Published
1980
Length
19 pages
Annotation
Court reform activity in the State of Washington is described in this paper in the National Center for State Courts' collection of narratives for seven States; the historical context of reform is emphasized.
Abstract
Efforts toward judicial reform are a tradition in Washinton, and are traceable to the creation of the Washington Judicial Council by statute in 1925. In 1935, the Judicial Council proposed a State constitutional amendment authorizing a majority of the State supreme court to call upon superior court judges for assistance during emergencies. It was not until 1961, however, that the legislature passed the amendment, which was subsequently approved by the voters. In the early 1950's, judicial salaries, another aspect of reform, came to the forefront. By the late 1950's, attention focused on the State's collection of limited jurisdiction courts. The 1960's were a period of major procedural reforms designed to enhance both the administration of justice and the administration of the State courts at the trial and appellate levels. Legislative enactments included the adoption of the Uniform Commerical Code and simplified probate procedures. The pressure for comprehensive judicial reform gained momentum in the early 1960's. The State's judicial community and the bar association collaborated in a committee effort and recommended upgrading the courts of limited jurisdiction, reducing the workload of superior court judges, and encouraging the use of modern management methods. Citizens' conferences, which have continued reorm activities to the present, demanded such improvements as provision of better information to the public about the courts and the development of a statewide court administration. During 1976 a judicial article task force was created to draft and propose implementing statutes. Task force attention has focused on the two-level appellate court structure, trial courts, a method of selecting judges, and court financing.