King County committee acknowledges second report on COVID-era court backlog; leaders warn of funding cliff

The Law and Justice Committee of the King County Council on Jan. 22 voted to acknowledge a second county report on the backlog in the criminal legal system that grew during the COVID-19 pandemic. The motion (Proposed Motion 24-093) to acknowledge receipt of the report covering April 1, 2023, through June 30, 2024, passed by roll call, 3-0, with one member excused.

The report, prepared in response to a budget proviso tied to the 2023–24 biennial budget, shows that temporary pandemic-response positions funded through CLIFR (COVID-related legal funds) have largely expired and that county agencies spent roughly $20 million of CLIFR funds through June 30, 2024. Erica Newman of Council Central Staff told the committee the amount appropriated in the 2023–24 budget was about $23 million and that no additional CLIFR funds are expected in 2025.

Why it matters: County officials said the system has made progress but warned that the exit of one‑time funds will reduce capacity to process cases unless new resources or system changes are found. Prosecuting Attorney Lisa Mannion said the office had made “significant progress,” but reported 4,360 pending filed cases in Superior Court as of Jan. 22, 2025 — above pre‑pandemic averages — and noted…