Washington courts rarely discipline guardians ad litem accused of misconduct in custody cases
Minimal oversight of court investigators makes it difficult for parents to challenge flawed reports without risking damage to their cases
WA civil legal aid organizations mourn state funding cuts: ‘It’s a gut punch’
The groups are critical in helping to vacate unconstitutional drug convictions as far back as 1971
WA families are using ‘Joel’s Law’ for involuntary commitments more than ever. Is it working?
Joel’s Law petitions increased by 266% since 2020 statewide
‘It’s an uphill battle’: Decades-long effort to unify Washington’s court system again falls short
While the state’s nonunified court system allows flexibility at the local level, research shows the patchwork of approaches often results in inequities and ‘justice by geography’
Most WA sheriffs say they will follow state’s ‘sanctuary’ law — with a few exceptions
InvestigateWest and Cascade PBS surveyed 39 counties’ chief law officers on how they plan to balance conflicting state and federal laws
Washington courts plod through historic effort to vacate hundreds of thousands of illegal drug convictions
Less than one-fifth of eligible cases have been vacated thus far
Washington lawmakers hear public testimony on bill to define the role of sheriff’s ‘posses’
The bill also seeks to standardize eligibility and certification requirements for law enforcement leaders
WA courts ordered 70% fewer court fines and fees between 2018 and 2021 — but disparities remain
Washington defendants owed nearly $300 million as of July 2023