C ITY OF Y ELM 2019-2020 MUNICIPAL COURT Sonia Ramirez City of Yelm, Washington October 23, 2018 Yelm Municipal Court Budget Presentation
C ITY OF Y ELM Organizational Framework Mission To promptly, fairly, and accurately resolve legal matters in a way that instills public trust and confidence in the Yelm Municipal Court. Values The values required to accomplish our mission are the core of what we stand for as an organization: Fairness Integrity Quality Service October 23, 2018 Page 1 Yelm Municipal Court
C ITY OF Y ELM Who We Are Sonia Ramirez Tom Meyer Donni Burnham Court Administrator Judge Court Clerk Brent Dille Dan Havirco Prosecutor Public Defender October 23, 2018 Page 2 Yelm Municipal Court
C ITY OF Y ELM Core Services • The Yelm Municipal Court is a limited jurisdiction which handles only gross misdemeanors (up to 364 jail days and $5,000), misdemeanors (up to 90 jail days and $1,000 fine) and infraction cases. • The Court Administrator serves under the direction of the presiding Judge and is responsible for managing court operations and functions. • The Court Clerk assists Court Administrator and the presiding Judge with courtroom clerk functions as well as various front counter, telephone, office duties and passport services. • The Prosecuting Attorney represents the City on the prosecution and disposition of cases. • The Public Defender provides legal representation to the defendants eligible for free or reduced public defense. October 23, 2018 Page 4 Yelm Municipal Court
C ITY OF Y ELM 2018 Quick Facts • Total Court filings to date: 149 infractions 509 criminal for a total of 658 (does note include October). – In 2017: 241 infractions and 701 criminal for a total of 942 court filings. – In 2016: 216 infractions and 703 criminal for a total of 919 court filings. • Number of passports processed to date: 489 – In 2017: 836 – In 2016: 770 Average daily jail beds: 3 guaranteed beds per day per current jail • agreement. Currently we are averaging 3-5 jail beds at a time, although our defendants have never been rejected. We are in the process of renewing a new jail contract. October 23, 2018 Page 5 Yelm Municipal Court
C ITY OF Y ELM 2018 Key Accomplishments • Improved court services to assist domestic violence victims by forming partnerships with Safe Place of Olympia and Family Support Center to offer court defendants and anyone in the community with various resources such as: victim advocacy, safety planning, basic needs like transportation and food assistance, support groups, childcare resources, and much more. Safe Place is present in our building on the last court date of each month. A victim advocate is also present in court once a month that offer criminal support in court proceedings. • Partnered with Thurston County District Court for their Mental Health Court and Veterans Court Programs. Through these programs, Yelm Court will be able to serve the community and increase public safety by monitoring, supporting and holding accountable justice-involved individuals with mental illness in accessing treatment and improving their quality of life. Together with the Yelm School District and YMCA Youth & Government, we • have started the plan process to provide an opportunity for students to participate in a competitive high drama courtroom showdown between teams from around the state through Mock Trials. October 23, 2018 Page 6 Yelm Municipal Court
C ITY OF Y ELM Key Accomplishments continued …. • Began working on a Memorandum of Understanding Agreement with Thurston County, Pierce County and King County Courts on a Collection of Consolidated Payment Program Accounts. This program would allow court individuals to combine any and all unpaid court fines with the courts and consolidate them into one payment to assist in the re-instatement of driving licenses. • Currently working on adding a second public defense attorney to handle conflict cases and assist with overflow caseload. Public Defense grant funds will be used to support this position. Started working with Public Works Director Chad Bedlington, Council • Member Tracey Wood and the Union on a community service program for court defendants who are unable to pay court fines. October 23, 2018 Page 7 Yelm Municipal Court
C ITY OF Y ELM 2019-2020 Goals • Together with IT Department and Nisqually Jail complete and implement audio/video conferencing transmission for in custody defendants when scheduled for court instead of transporting them to the courtroom. This project will be covered through unspent funds previously budgeted for and approved. • Continue to work with IT Department on a plan for becoming a paper-less court. Complete and Implement the installation of metal detectors in our building • for use during court proceeding day through unspent funds previously budgeted for and approved. • Continue to seek court grant programs that can provide financial and technical assistance to our Court to provide more effective service. • Explore additional options to provide Community Court that works to provide practical, targeted solutions rather than traditional punishment. • Enable credit card processing at the court to provide additional payment options. October 23, 2018 Page 8 Yelm Municipal Court
C ITY OF Y ELM Goals continued…. • Work together with Yelm Police Department to provide active shooter training. Continue working with our local schools in the YMCA Youth Government • and Mock Trial Program. • Continue to enhance public outreach through our updated new website by providing additional links and resource materials to the public. • Quarterly Yelm Municipal Court News Flyer sent out electronically. October 23, 2018 Page 9 Yelm Municipal Court
C ITY OF Y ELM Current Structure Judicial Branch Presiding Judge Tom L. Meyer Court Administrator Court Clerk October 23, 2018 Page 10 Yelm Municipal Court
C ITY OF Y ELM Opportunities for better service Add a Probation Officer to monitor and oversee the compliance of court ordered conditions imposed on defendants. Continue strengthening partnerships to increase resources for court defendants such as: literacy and library services, warrant outreach events and Northwest Justice Program night for assistance with getting re- licensed. October 23, 2018 Page 11 Yelm Municipal Court
C ITY OF Y ELM Future Structure Judicial Branch Presiding Judge Tom L. Meyer Court Administrator Court Part-Time Clerk Probation Officer October 23, 2018 Page 12 Yelm Municipal Court
C ITY OF Y ELM QUESTIONS? Sonia S. Ramirez, Court Administrator (360) 458-3152 soniar@yelmwa.gov October 23, 2018 Yelm City Council Budget Meeting
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