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Presiding Judge Rothrock outlines court caseload shifts, CPO surge and facilities concerns
Summary
New King County Superior Court Presiding Judge Avril Rothrock told the Law and Justice Committee the court’s largest workload is civil cases, civil protection orders have risen more than 300% since 2019, unlawful detainer filings remain high, remote proceedings improved access, and long‑term courthouse planning and IT staffing are urgent priorities.
Presiding Judge Avril Rothrock on Feb. 4 briefed the Law and Justice Committee on the state of King County Superior Court, stressing that civil work comprises the majority of the court’s caseload and that recent legal and social trends have reshaped demand for judicial services.
Rothrock, who was elected presiding judge by her peers and began the role on Jan. 12, told the committee the court has 56 judges, 13 commissioners, approximately 385 employees and a biennial budget of about $168.5 million. She said the court hears cases across four primary facilities, including Seattle, the Meiling Regional Justice Center in Kent, and Harborview (the latter for Involuntary Treatment Act work).
The presiding judge highlighted that civil matters make up roughly…
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