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Chief Justice Deborah L. Stevens outlines 'courts of the future,' cites Blake relief and a jury-pay pilot in State of the Judiciary address
Summary
At a joint session, Chief Justice Deborah L. Stevens urged continued investment in court technology, cybersecurity, language access, and therapeutic programs; she reported Blake‑decision relief figures (over $4 million issued; 55,000 convictions vacated) and highlighted a Pierce County jury-pay pilot that raised juror compensation 900%.
Chief Justice Deborah L. Stevens delivered the State of the Judiciary to a joint session of the Washington State Legislature, calling for sustained investment in court modernization, cybersecurity, and programs that increase access to justice.
Stevens framed the judiciary's priorities around building “courts of the future” that are innovative, responsive and inclusive. She said the courts continue to offer remote proceedings and alternative dispute-resolution options that improved access while systems recover from pandemic disruptions. “We are the many judges and other court professionals who serve the public in the judicial branch of our government,” Stevens said in her opening remarks.
Why it matters: Stevens asked lawmakers to maintain funding for the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) to support statewide IT infrastructure, case-management modernization, and programs that reduce barriers to…
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