AIRWAY HEIGHTS – Municipal Courts Judge Angelle Gerl presented the state of the court report for 2024 during the June 10 City Council meeting.
Gerl provided an overview of court operations and initiatives for the year, highlighting the therapeutic court’s efforts to address underlying issues behind criminal behavior through treatment and support, while also emphasizing the court’s success in reducing its caseload.
Gerl introduced the court team, which included herself and Commissioner Kati Dorman, both hired in 2020, along with Court Administrator Heather Smith, Judicial Specialist Louisa Castanza (hired in March 2022) and Julia Furfarro (hired in 2023).
The court has been focusing on its therapeutic court docket, which convenes every Thursday to address the underlying issues behind criminal behavior through treatment and support. This approach aims to reduce recidivism by tackling problems such as addiction and mental health.
“We’re growing the program, coming up with an alumni group to take graduates and have them mentor new people in the therapeutic court,” Gerl said.
Key projects highlighted include:
• Rise 2024 Conference: Described as the world’s premier conference on addiction, mental health, and justice reform.
• WSADCP Conference: An annual fall event in Tukwila, focusing on therapeutic court practices.
• Therapeutic Court Trainings: Funded by state-appropriated funds each year, ensuring that staff stay current with best practices.
The court has seen significant financial support, including initial funding of $316,724, a 2022 Inland Power Grant of $4,000, and appropriated state funds of $480,871 for 2022-23. A state funding request for 2024-25 is pending, with an ask of $277,138. The request is slightly lower due to difficulties in filling a planned additional position.
“We’ve just recently submitted our application for state funding, and the amount we’re requesting is $277,138. We’ve tried to fund an additional position but can’t find someone to fill that position, so we’re asking for a little bit less,” Gerl said.
In the past two years, the therapeutic court has successfully graduated 10 participants, she said. The program is expanding, with plans to establish an alumni group where graduates can mentor new participants, fostering mutual support and growth.
Community engagement efforts include the second annual Law Day, which invites fifth-graders to visit the court, fire department, and police department. Nearly 100 students participated in this year’s event, which also featured an essay contest.
The court is moving towards greater efficiency by implementing a paperless system and adopting a new statewide case management system. These changes aim to reduce the number of hearings per case and streamline court processes. Additionally, the court is finalizing a comprehensive set of policies.
“We’re continuing to improve upon court efficiency by having fewer hearings per case, instead of having them address the court in multiple hearings,” Gerl noted.
Gerl also highlighted a decrease in the court’s caseload from 1,100 cases in 2021 to 600 in 2023. However, they still manage over 7,000 hearings, including probation violation and motion hearings, many of which are repeated for individual cases.
“We’re grateful to work in a city with governance that supports the court,” Gerl said.
Clare is an Eastern Washington University graduate and a reporter at Free Press Publishing.
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