Early in 2020, before the COVID-19 pandemic and the national movement for racial justice sparked by George Floyd’s death, Seattle Municipal Court had two community engagement efforts in the works: a court user survey and a series of court user focus groups. We have conducted court user surveys in the past, most recently in 2015. This year, we wanted to not only get a new benchmark reading on how we are serving the community, but also get more in-depth, qualitative feedback from court clients.

Now, as 2020 comes to an end, we are excited to share the results of both the survey conducted in February and the five virtual focus groups that were held in August. Find both reports and our next steps on our news blog. 

Seth Niesen has been appointed as our newest Seattle Municipal Court magistrate judge. Magistrates preside over ticket and infraction hearings and serve as pro tem judges in our criminal courtrooms. Magistrate Niesen comes to SMC from the Washington State Office of Administrative Hearings, where he served as Lead Administrative Law Judge. Prior to his role at the Office of Administrative Hearings, Magistrate Niesen worked as a deputy prosecuting attorney for the Snohomish County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office and law clerk to Snohomish County Superior Court Judge Thomas J. Wynne. He is a graduate of Gonzaga University School of Law. He is also a 2018 Washington Leadership Institution Fellow and member of QLaw. In his spare time, Magistrate Niesen enjoys working in college and professional football and spending time with his family. Magistrate Niesen has served as a pro tem magistrate and judge at SMC since May 2019, and we are excited to welcome him as one of our five permanent magistrates.

Judge Anita Crawford-Willis has been reappointed to the Washington State Supreme Court Gender and Justice Commission. The Gender and Justice Commission and its members have been actively addressing gender bias in Washington State Courts since 1994. The mission of the Gender and Justice Commission is to identify concerns and make recommendations regarding the equal treatment of all parties, attorneys, and court employees in the State courts, and to promote gender equality through researching, recommending, and supporting the implementation of best practices. The Commission also provides educational programs that enhance equal treatment of all parties, and serves as a liaison between the courts and other organizations in working together toward building communities free of bias.

Judge Crawford-Willis was reappointed by Chief Justice Deborah Stephens for her second  term as a  commissioner, which lasts until June 30, 2023. Judge Crawford-Willis serves on the Education Committee and the Incarceration, Gender and Justice Committee. Judge Crawford-Willis is passionate about issues affecting women of color and all women. She believes in mentoring and helping women pursue and attain their dreams within and outside of the legal field. “Lifting as we climb” is her mantra.