Announcements

• The Court has adopted an Amended Criminal Justice Act Plan for the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington, as approved by the Judicial Council for the Ninth Circuit on May 1, 2012.

• The Western District of Washington is participating in the Cameras in the Courtroom Pilot Project.  The Judicial Conference of the United States authorized this three year Pilot Program to evaluate the effect of cameras in the courtroom for civil cases in federal courts.  Any party to a case, the media, or members of the public, may request that a proceeding in a civil case be video recorded by submitting a Request form.  Proceedings will be recorded if all of the parties consent and the presiding judge approves.  Please visit our Cameras in the Courtroom pages for more information. (3/14/12)

• Notice re Cash Payments: Starting May 1, 2012 the Clerk's Office will no longer accept cash for payments of any kind.  Accepted forms of payment will be check, cashier's check, money order, credit card, or debit card with a Visa or Mastercard logo. (4/5/12)

•      The Court, in partnership with Seattle University School of Law is sponsoring two new programs for teachers this summer. Application deadline extended to May 21!
•      The first program in June is for high school teachers and will help teachers to learn more about the U.S. Constitution, the federal and state judiciaries, and federal issues including immigration, federal criminal law and civil rights.
•      The second program in July is for middle and junior high teachers and will focus on iCivics, Justice Sandra Day O'Connor's online civic education program.
•      Click on high school or middle school for more details about each program and the application process.  These programs are free of charge and offer clock hours!  For additional information, please contact Lori Landis. (4/3/12)

Did You Know

• The Clerk's Office provides a Customer Service Survey: As part of our continuous effort to improve service to the bar and public, we invite you to provide feedback regarding your experience with the Clerk's Office via our new customer service survey.  Your opinion is important and we thank you for taking the time to help us. (3/27/12)

• The Federal Bar Association sponsors a Federal Civil Rights Legal Clinic at the Seattle Courthouse on alternate Thursdays from 12:00 noon-2:00 p.m.  Please see the attached flyer for contact information and further details about the Legal Clinic. (2/2/12)

• A five hour window, on Saturdays from 5:30 am until 10:30 am, is reserved for routine maintenance and minor upgrades of the CM/ECF system without prior notice.  If you experience problems accessing CM/ECF during this time period on a Saturday, please wait until after 10:30 am to proceed.  (12/01/11)