Congratulations to our Presiding Judge Willie Gregory, who was honored with the Innovating Justice Award from Washington Courts last month for exceptional leadership in helping courts deliver innovative and responsive justice using a racial equity lens during the COVID-19 crisis. Judge Gregory was elected to the position of Presiding Judge by his colleagues at the beginning of the pandemic and has led the court with guiding principles of protecting health and safety and advancing racial and social equity.
Watch the award presentation and read more here.
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We are now recruiting for a strategic, collaborative Court Administrator to lead the administrative and operational functions of the court. We are committed to bringing in a court administrator who has a commitment to racial equity and inclusion to lead our court in this time of great change.
To help develop the job description, 44 court staff participated in focus groups to share their priorities and vision for the court and its leadership. Key themes in the position description came out of the feedback we heard from these focus groups, such as core commitment to race and equity, accountability, strong leadership, visibility, and relationship building. Court staff will also have a voice in the hiring process, through both the initial stakeholder interview and through the Race and Social Justice Change Team's interview with candidates.
Bringing on a new Court Administrator is an exciting opportunity, and we are confident that together we will find the right leader to help our court move forward and continue providing excellent service to the Seattle community. Please share the job announcement widely with your networks.
On March 16, Programs and Services Director Betty McNeely participated in a webinar featuring probation and parole executives, formerly incarcerated individuals, and advocates who have spearheaded innovations in housing and financial security. From transforming vacant hotels into homes to terminating fees and unpaid tickets, the panelists shared how changes in probation and parole are possible in the long term.
Betty McNeely shared the context behind SMC's decision to eliminate discretionary fines and fees for criminal cases last year, including the probation and records check fees. She also discussed SMC's probation evolution efforts, and how the pandemic and the social justice movement sparked by George Floyd's death have created a unique climate for reform.
Watch the recorded webinar.
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