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Author: Rick Stroup

KC Superior Court Clerk’s Office Launches Website Translation Project

The King County Department of Judicial Administration, also known as the Superior Court Clerk’s Office, is proud to announce the completion of the first phase of its new Website Translation Project. The project’s goal is to translate key content of the Clerk’s Office website into the top 7 languages spoken by King County users. In Phase 1, they have translated information regarding basic Clerk’s Office operations, court calendars, fees & waivers, assistance requesting court records, legal financial obligations, State v. Blake refunds, accommodations, and public disclosure requests.

From the Clerk’s Office homepage, users can click on their preferred language to access a Landing Page written entirely in and containing all translated content in that language. Links to translated content are also included on the English-language web pages for ease of access.

This is only the beginning! As the project moves forward into Phase 2, the Clerk’s Office is looking forward to providing users with additional translated content.

The Clerk’s Office welcomes feedback about this project.  Please send your comments and questions to DJATranslations@kingcounty.gov. For assistance with any Clerk’s Office services, please call 206-296-9300.

Click here to view this announcement translated into the top 7 languages spoken by King County users: Amharic, Chinese Traditional, Chinese Simplified, Russian, Somali, Spanish and Vietnamese.

Appellate Court Public Document Portal Cases

New Wa Appellate Court Public Document Portal Launched

The public can access files and documents for cases filed with the Washington Supreme Court and the Washington Courts of Appeal after January 1, 2020 through the Court’s new Appellate Court Public Document Portal.  You will need to know the case number you want to research.  This system does not provide access to trial court documents, so you will need to contact the specific trial court for those materials.  Search for Supreme Court case information hereSearch for Appellate Court information here.  Learn more about the new portal by reviewing the FAQs here.

NCLC Explains New Student Loan Relief Options

The National Consumer Law Center has published a very useful article describing the twelve most significant changes to the laws and rules governing repaying or canceling student loan debt. You can also access additional digital content from NCLC, including their publication titled Student Loan Law, directly from King County Law Library’s website here

Cheap Internet Charge Affordable Connectivity Program

Affordable Connectivity Program — Help for Internet Costs

Washington State’s Health Care Authority administers an FCC program called the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP).   The ACP is designed to make it cheaper for some Washington households to get high-speed Internet access.  If your household qualifies, you can get up to $30/month off of Internet connectivity charges and a one-time $100 discount off the purchase price of a laptop, tablet or desktop computer.  Only one monthly service discount and one device discount is allowed per qualifying household.  The Biden Administration has also secured commitments from some Internet service providers to offer high-speed plans covered completely by funding from the ACP.  To learn if you qualify, simply visit the Affordable Connectivity Program’s site here or go to GetInternet.gov and complete the online application.

 

ACLU WA’s The Future of Abortion in Washington Discussion Available Again

In May 2022, ACLU of Washington sponsored a pre-Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization discussion about abortion and reproductive rights.  The speakers included Dr. Erin Berry, Washington State Medical Director, Kia Guarino, Executive Director of  Pro-Choice Washington,  Miranda Varags, board member of Northwest Abortion Access Fund, and Leah Rutman, Health Care and Liberty Counsel, ACLU-WA.  The program was moderated by ACLU-WA Executive Director, Michele Storms.  ACLU-WA has made a recording of this discussion available again and encourages you to watch again or attend for the time.

Protection Order Forms and Process Changes

WashingtonLawHelp.org has a new guide that helps explain the numerous changes made to Washington State’s protection order forms and process in June 2022.  For example, you can now use a single petition to file for a protection order if you have encountered domestic violence, harassment, sexual assault or stalking.  Some types of protection orders, such as Extreme Risk Protection Orders, still require a separate petition.  Read the new WaLawHelp protection order guide here.  Current forms for all protection order types can be found beneath the Protection Orders drop-down here.

Supreme Court Justices Virtual Memorial Service

The Washington Supreme Court is hosting a virtual memorial service in honor of three retired justices who passed away between December 2019 and December 2021. The service honoring Justices Walter T. McGovern, Roselle Pekelis and Mary E. Fairhurst will begin at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, May 11.  Read more details about the contributions of these justices here.  Attend the virtual memorial service here.

Learn Virtually with a MOOC!

MOOCs, or Massive Open Online Courses, are online courses in a variety of disciplines, including the law, which anyone with a computer and an Internet connection can attend. They are free and often less structured than traditional in-person courses. Both of our local public library systems, Seattle Public Library and the King County Library System, offer access to many prominent MOOC providers.

For more information about MOOCs aimed at lawyers or others interested in the law, see this excellent article from the Harris County Law Library.

While not MOOCs, KCLL does offer a variety of video training segments as well.  Check them out here!