Seattle Community Court
Seattle Community Court (SCC) is a pathway for people to have their low-level misdemeanor charges dismissed by connecting with community supports and giving back through community service. Instead of spending time in jail, community court participants connect to services such as housing assistance, employment support, and drug treatment.
Release-first model - Instead of spending time in jail, participants will be connected to services in the community that address the underlying causes of criminal behavior. SCC will reduce pretrial incarceration and incarceration for non-compliance.
Services - SCC participants will access social services such as employment assistance, housing assistance, and DSHS food, cash and medical benefits.
Treatment - Participants struggling with substance use will access addiction medicine providers for assessments, diagnosis, prescriptions and coordination of care.
Support - Participants will complete a self-assessment and set their own goals. The SCC team will support them to achieve their program goals, large or small.
Launched August 10, 2020, SCC is the culmination of a multi-year collaboration among the Seattle Municipal Court, the Seattle City Attorney's Office, and the King County Department of Public Defense. Unlike national community court models, SCC participants do not give up their constitutional right to trial to participate, and program eligibility is not affected by previous criminal history. SCC is held at SMC every Monday, Thursday, and Friday starting at 9:00 a.m. in Courtroom 903. Referrals for the program come through the Seattle City Attorney's Office.
SCC Offense Eligibility Model
| Level 1 Offense |
Level 2 Offense | Level 3 Offense |
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*Eligibility for Property Destruction and Theft (unrecovered/damaged property):
- For any crime that has restitution, the participant must pay restitution prior to the end of the Community Court Agreement term
- Employee theft is not eligible for Community Court (without SCAO Supervisor Approval)
Information for SCC Participants
Contact SMC pretrial counselors: Email sokpul.chea@seattle.gov, todd.sanders@seattle.gov, or leah.pastrana@seattle.gov.
Access services and treatment providers: Check the Community Resource Center service guide.
Attending hearings: You can search your name on the case information portal or contact your attorney to find out when your next hearing is scheduled. SCC is held at SMC every Monday and Thursday starting at 9:00 a.m. in Courtroom 901.
What is a Community Court Assessment?
An assessment is a way for your Community Court counselor to talk with you and find out your needs and wants. You could work on a plan to complete the program with them. Some things you could be asked about are:
- Your name
- Your birth date, race, and gender
- Your phone number and email address
- How you are doing?
- Do you have access to health care and support?
- Are you hooked up with social services?
- What needs could we help you with, like housing, food, clothing, job services, counseling?
Thank You SCC Partners and Providers
The success of SCC depends on collaboration with our partners at the Seattle City Attorney's Office and King County Department of Public Defense, and our partnerships with many local organizations including, but not limited to: Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS), Public Health - Seattle & King County, Seattle Public Library, Catholic Community Services, Urban League, and Emergency Feeding Program. Organizations interested in supporting SCC participants can contact Nhi Tran at nhi.tran@seattle.gov.