FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Gary Ireland, Public Information Officer, (206) 684-8710
Anyone with an outstanding Seattle Municipal Court (SMC) warrant is encouraged to attend our Warrant Outreach Event, Thursday, April 19th, 2018, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the Rainier Beach Community Center, 8825 Rainier Ave S, Seattle, WA 98118.
Outstanding warrants make it harder to get a job, secure housing and generally move forward in life. Attendees will learn about their options to resolve warrants as well as have an opportunity to meet with a public defender in a non-threatening location.
Staff will be available to answer questions, schedule hearings, and share information on resources and support services available through the Court. The King County Department of Public Defense will have attorneys available to answer questions and offer legal advice.
“We are bringing our staff and Court resources into the community to provide a safe and convenient path for resolving outstanding warrants”, stated SMC Presiding Judge Ed McKenna. “Attendees will learn options to resolve their case and for those who need it, how to access social services and support through the Court Resource Center.” Information on relicensing assistance will also be offered.
SMC has over 9,400 outstanding warrants. It is anticipated that many event participants will be eligible to have their warrant quashed and the case scheduled for an upcoming hearing to resolve the underlying legal issue. Resolving warrants saves taxpayers money through jail cost savings.
The Warrant Outreach event is a collaboration between the Seattle Municipal Court, King County Department of Public Defense, Seattle City Attorney’s Office, Seattle Police Department, Seattle Parks and Recreation and the Seattle Human Services Department.