2007 Judicial and Support Services Department Objectives with Accomplishments
Continue Court Division outreach and education programs such as
Law Day and volunteer courtesy calls. (Council Goal 9)
- Judge Lev presented four half-day sessions for area middle school
students. The theme for 2007 was “Liberty Under Law, Empowering Youth,
Ensuring Democracy.” In addition to observing actual court hearings,
students participated in a mock arraignment hearing. Several council
members and police officers led the students in a post hearing
discussion of legislative and enforcement processes and the role of
citizens.
Evaluate efficiency and service delivery by using the four
benchmarks established in 2006. (Clearance Rates, Times to Disposition, Age
of Active Pending Caseload and Cost per Case) (Council Goal 1)
- The Court will continue to report clearance rates. As the State is
in the process of implementing new report writer software, additional
performance measures will become supported in 2008.
Participate in the Washington State Office of Public Defense
(OPD) evaluation of the State Legislature’s pilot program for indigent
defense service improvements in the City of Bellingham. (Council Goal 10)
- The Court continued its participation in the State pilot program.
Three meetings were held with OPD staff and/or consultants to evaluate
service levels as well as quality of services provided to indigent
defendants. Reports were developed to track caseload statistics. This
pilot program runs through June 2008.
