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Agency 055
Administrator for
the Courts
RCW 2.56
Request | $76,976,483 | ||||||||||||||||||
Net change from current biennium | $8,124,607 | Increase | |||||||||||||||||
Percent change from current biennium | 11.8% | Increase | |||||||||||||||||
The Office of the Administrator for the Courts, operating under
the direction of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, studies
the operations of the court system, makes recommendations for
improvement, and is responsible to the Supreme Court for the execution
of administrative policies and rules as applicable to the Washington
judicial system. This court system includes the Supreme Court,
Court of Appeals, superior courts, and courts of limited jurisdiction.
The primary goal of the Office of the Administrator for the Courts
is to develop and promote modern management procedures within
the state's court system by: encouraging orderly collection and
compilation of court statistics; encouraging cost-effective use
of automated information systems; providing training and education
of judicial staff; and providing research, development, and coordination
support for the state's judicial staff.
Operating Budget: Summary
| |||||||||||||||||||||
1995-97 Appropriations | Appropriated Funds | Expenditures | |||||||||||||||||||
Amount | Estimated Balance | 1993-95 Actual | 1995-97 Estimated | 1997-99 Proposed | |||||||||||||||||
24,228,230 | 770,810 | General Fund - Basic Account - State | 23,597,248 | 23,457,420 | 28,525,947 | ||||||||||||||||
32,283,141 | Public Safety & Education Account - State | 26,214,963 | 32,283,141 | 33,459,469 | |||||||||||||||||
Public Safety & Education Account - Federal Unanticipated | 2,113 | ||||||||||||||||||||
22,664 | 20,348 | Public Safety & Education Account - Private/Local Unanticipated | 91,155 | 2,316 | |||||||||||||||||
35,000 | Violence Reduction/Drug Enforcement - State | 6,473,210 | 35,000 | ||||||||||||||||||
13,074,000 | 1 | Judicial Information Systems Acct - State | 5,276,992 | 13,073,999 | 14,991,067 | ||||||||||||||||
Health Services Account - State | 713 | ||||||||||||||||||||
69,643,035 |
791,159 | Total Appropriated Funds |
61,656,394 |
68,851,876 |
76,976,483 | ||||||||||||||||
Operating Budget: Summary by Object
| ||||||||||||||||||
1994-95 Actual | 1995-96 Estimated | 1996-97 Estimated | 1997-98 Proposed | 1998-99 Proposed | ||||||||||||||
Salaries And Wages | 13,095,381 | 13,667,923 | 14,359,813 | 15,285,570 | 15,350,974 | |||||||||||||
Employee Benefits | 4,171,684 | 4,346,492 | 3,538,037 | 3,558,653 | 3,732,866 | |||||||||||||
Personal Service Contracts | 985,500 | 1,816,097 | 4,027,798 | 4,110,822 | 2,420,874 | |||||||||||||
Goods And Services | 10,091,984 | 8,695,818 | 12,661,063 | 8,179,264 | 10,264,818 | |||||||||||||
Travel | 527,246 | 488,617 | 551,968 | 628,565 | 850,709 | |||||||||||||
Capital Outlays | 5,015,100 | 310,825 | 3,294,618 | 4,595,431 | 5,880,617 | |||||||||||||
Grants, Benefits & Client Services | 534,187 | 445,485 | 704,300 | 692,682 | 754,300 | |||||||||||||
Debt Service | 360,551 | 363,114 | 360,000 | 362,562 | 360,000 | |||||||||||||
Interagency Reimbursements | (107,119) | (780,092) | (52,224) | |||||||||||||||
Annual Total |
34,674,514 |
29,354,279 |
39,497,597 |
37,361,325 |
39,615,158 | |||||||||||||
Operating Budget: Program Summary
| ||||||||||||||||||
1994-95 Actual | 1995-96 Estimated | 1996-97 Estimated | 1997-98 Proposed | 1998-99 Proposed | ||||||||||||||
Administration | 1,542,485 | 633,864 | 666,223 | 2,382,513 | 2,429,021 | |||||||||||||
Judicial Information System | 12,732,383 | 9,192,086 | 17,629,383 | 13,959,128 | 15,397,004 | |||||||||||||
Judicial Services | 2,764,548 | 2,297,491 | 2,689,511 | 2,495,517 | 2,731,448 | |||||||||||||
Special Programs | 3,861,973 | 3,831,536 | 3,958,308 | 3,834,425 | 4,080,815 | |||||||||||||
Superior Court Judges | 11,912,684 | 11,325,127 | 12,270,293 | 12,606,414 | 12,658,334 | |||||||||||||
Management Services | 1,860,441 | 2,074,175 | 2,283,879 | 2,083,328 | 2,318,536 | |||||||||||||
Annual Total |
34,674,514 |
29,354,279 |
39,497,597 |
37,361,325 |
39,615,158 | |||||||||||||
Fiscal Year 1993-94 | 26,981,880 | |||||||||||||||||
Biennium Total |
61,656,394 |
68,851,876 |
76,976,483 | |||||||||||||||
Operating Budget: Change from Preceding Biennium
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1993-95 Actual | 1995-97 Estimated | 1997-99 Proposed | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Amount | Percent | Amount | Percent | Amount | Percent | |||||||||||||||||||||
Administration | (3,293,752) | (61.4)% | (767,860) | (37.1)% | 3,511,447 | 270.1% | ||||||||||||||||||||
Judicial Information System | 5,642,898 | 38.7% | 6,587,171 | 32.6% | 2,534,663 | 9.5% | ||||||||||||||||||||
Judicial Services | (820,499) | (13.7)% | (179,343) | (3.5)% | 239,963 | 4.8% | ||||||||||||||||||||
Special Programs | (833,304) | (10.1)% | 343,237 | 4.6% | 125,396 | 1.6% | ||||||||||||||||||||
Superior Court Judges | 1,796,263 | 8.3% | 211,105 | 0.9% | 1,669,328 | 7.1% | ||||||||||||||||||||
Management Services | 3,356,882 | 1,001,172 | 29.8% | 43,810 | 1.0% | |||||||||||||||||||||
Belated Claims | (28,515) | (100.0)% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total |
5,819,973 |
10.4% |
7,195,482 |
11.7% |
8,124,607 |
11.8% | ||||||||||||||||||||
Employment Summary
| ||||||||||||||||||||
1994-95 Actual | 1995-96 Estimated | 1996-97 Estimated | 1997-98 Proposed | 1998-99 Proposed | ||||||||||||||||
FTE Staff Years | 285.2 | 300.3 | 307.5 | 321.4 | 321.5 | |||||||||||||||
Average FTE Staff Year Costs | 45,916 | 45,514 | 46,699 | 47,559 | 47,748 | |||||||||||||||
Program Level Detail
The Administration program provides overall management to the
Office of the Administrator for the Courts based on direction
from the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. The Administrator
has ultimate responsibility for the development and implementation
of all agency policies and directives and coordination with state
executive and legislative agencies as well as federal and local
government agencies on judicial policy issues.
The program's objectives include improving administrative support services and developing effective policies and programs to attract, retain, and motivate employees.
Program Employment
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1994-95 Actual | 1995-96 Estimated | 1996-97 Estimated | 1997-98 Proposed | 1998-99 Proposed | ||||||||||||||||
FTE Staff Years | 7.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 8.0 | 8.0 | |||||||||||||||
Average FTE Staff Year Costs | 71,370 | 56,236 | 51,932 | 52,986 | 50,137 | |||||||||||||||
Expenditure Detail
| ||||||||||||||||||
1994-95 Actual | 1995-96 Estimated | 1996-97 Estimated | 1997-98 Proposed | 1998-99 Proposed | ||||||||||||||
Salaries and Benefits | 622,851 | 477,033 | 440,738 | 514,893 | 488,251 | |||||||||||||
Grants and Subsidies | 185 | |||||||||||||||||
Other Operating Costs | 919,449 | 156,831 | 225,485 | 1,867,620 | 1,940,770 | |||||||||||||
Annual Total |
1,542,485 |
633,864 |
666,223 |
2,382,513 |
2,429,021 | |||||||||||||
Fiscal Year 1993-94 | 525,462 | |||||||||||||||||
Biennium Total |
2,067,947 |
1,300,087 |
4,811,534 | |||||||||||||||
Source of Funds
| |||||||||||||||||||
1994-95 Actual | 1995-96 Estimated | 1996-97 Estimated | 1997-98 Proposed | 1998-99 Proposed | |||||||||||||||
General Fund - Basic Account - State | 1,700,000 | 1,700,000 | |||||||||||||||||
Public Safety & Education Account - State | 1,542,485 | 633,864 | 666,223 | 682,513 | 729,021 | ||||||||||||||
Annual Total |
1,542,485 |
633,864 |
666,223 |
2,382,513 |
2,429,021 | ||||||||||||||
The Judicial Information System (JIS) program provides a comprehensive
package of automated information handling services to facilitate
the processing of the court's caseload.
The objectives of the program are to: increase the percentage of the state's court caseload processing that is assisted by computerized handling of information; increase the quality and improve the availability of the court's information; and shorten the response time on requests for case information.
Program Employment
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1994-95 Actual | 1995-96 Estimated | 1996-97 Estimated | 1997-98 Proposed | 1998-99 Proposed | ||||||||||||||||
FTE Staff Years | 60.8 | 77.1 | 77.1 | 85.1 | 85.1 | |||||||||||||||
Average FTE Staff Year Costs | 44,635 | 40,587 | 45,362 | 50,440 | 49,201 | |||||||||||||||
Expenditure Detail
| ||||||||||||||||||
1994-95 Actual | 1995-96 Estimated | 1996-97 Estimated | 1997-98 Proposed | 1998-99 Proposed | ||||||||||||||
Salaries and Benefits | 3,362,814 | 3,881,215 | 4,330,630 | 5,276,013 | 5,176,907 | |||||||||||||
Grants and Subsidies | 1,407 | 50,000 | 50,000 | |||||||||||||||
Other Operating Costs | 9,368,162 | 5,310,871 | 13,298,753 | 8,633,115 | 10,170,097 | |||||||||||||
Annual Total |
12,732,383 |
9,192,086 |
17,629,383 |
13,959,128 |
15,397,004 | |||||||||||||
Fiscal Year 1993-94 | 7,501,915 | |||||||||||||||||
Biennium Total |
20,234,298 |
26,821,469 |
29,356,132 | |||||||||||||||
Source of Funds
| |||||||||||||||||||
1994-95 Actual | 1995-96 Estimated | 1996-97 Estimated | 1997-98 Proposed | 1998-99 Proposed | |||||||||||||||
Public Safety & Education Account - State | 7,563,999 | 7,352,214 | 6,395,256 | 7,506,671 | 6,858,394 | ||||||||||||||
Judicial Information Systems Acct - State | 5,168,384 | 1,839,872 | 11,234,127 | 6,452,457 | 8,538,610 | ||||||||||||||
Annual Total |
12,732,383 |
9,192,086 |
17,629,383 |
13,959,128 |
15,397,004 | ||||||||||||||
The Judicial Services program provides comprehensive professional
and technical support to Washington's judges and court personnel.
The Judicial Services program provides ongoing support to the
courts in the following major areas: court management analysis,
technical assistance, and special projects; research and management
reporting; law-related education/public information; publication
of court rules and procedures manuals; and education and training
for judges and court personnel.
The program's objectives are to: improve the quality and usefulness of court caseload statistics; provide statistical analysis needed for court management and policy making; analyze causes of congestion and delay and assist the judiciary in implementing improved case processing procedures; increase the technical competence of the court staff through a variety of education programs; decrease the cost of developing and publishing benchbooks and procedure manuals; improve the relationship between the bench and the press; and increase public understanding of the bench.
Program Employment
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1994-95 Actual | 1995-96 Estimated | 1996-97 Estimated | 1997-98 Proposed | 1998-99 Proposed | ||||||||||||||||
FTE Staff Years | 31.2 | 25.5 | 31.0 | 31.0 | 31.0 | |||||||||||||||
Average FTE Staff Year Costs | 39,070 | 46,111 | 42,386 | 40,229 | 42,386 | |||||||||||||||
Expenditure Detail
| ||||||||||||||||||
1994-95 Actual | 1995-96 Estimated | 1996-97 Estimated | 1997-98 Proposed | 1998-99 Proposed | ||||||||||||||
Salaries and Benefits | 1,499,053 | 1,454,096 | 1,630,477 | 1,550,272 | 1,629,514 | |||||||||||||
Grants and Subsidies | 81,650 | 46,270 | 46,270 | |||||||||||||||
Other Operating Costs | 1,183,845 | 797,125 | 1,059,034 | 898,975 | 1,101,934 | |||||||||||||
Annual Total |
2,764,548 |
2,297,491 |
2,689,511 |
2,495,517 |
2,731,448 | |||||||||||||
Fiscal Year 1993-94 | 2,401,797 | |||||||||||||||||
Biennium Total |
5,166,345 |
4,987,002 |
5,226,965 | |||||||||||||||
Source of Funds
| |||||||||||||||||||
1994-95 Actual | 1995-96 Estimated | 1996-97 Estimated | 1997-98 Proposed | 1998-99 Proposed | |||||||||||||||
General Fund - Basic Account - State | 550 | ||||||||||||||||||
Public Safety & Education Account - State | 2,763,998 | 2,297,491 | 2,654,511 | 2,495,517 | 2,731,448 | ||||||||||||||
Violence Reduction/Drug Enforcement - State | 35,000 | ||||||||||||||||||
Annual Total |
2,764,548 |
2,297,491 |
2,689,511 |
2,495,517 |
2,731,448 | ||||||||||||||
The Office of the Administrator for the Courts' responsibilities
also include statutory coordination, support, and oversight for
several special programs. Some of these programs have independent
boards that set policy and direction for these programs.
The Board for Trial Court Education (BTCE) program directs the
development of judicial education programs and activities for
judges and court personnel in the Washington court system. The
programs are planned cooperatively by the BTCE, the education
committees of the county clerks, district and municipal court
administrators, district and municipal court judges, juvenile
court administrators, superior court administrators, superior
court judges, and the Office of the Administrator for the Courts
Judicial Education Section.
The Gender and Justice Commission was established by court order
to ensure fair and equal treatment of all persons who access the
justice system, regardless of gender. At the direction of the
Commission, the Office of the Administrator for the Courts facilitates
education programs and summit meetings, and produces a variety
of materials for judges and court personnel on issues relating
to gender and justice, spousal maintenance, and domestic violence.
The Minority and Justice Commission was established by court rule
to ensure nondiscrimination in the administration of justice.
The Commission provides information activities and recommendations
to foster cultural diversity and awareness within the judiciary.
In addition, the Commission develops and conducts cultural diversity
training and recruitment and selection training programs.
The Court Interpreter Certification program is established by
statute and court rule to test and certify court interpreters.
The program provides training and tools to enable judges to use
interpreters efficiently and provides assistance to courts in
identifying qualified interpreters for languages which may not
be common in their communities. The program also works with colleges
to train potential court interpreters about the court environment
and their role in it.
The Snohomish County Pre-Prosecution Diversion program is designed
to hold an offender accountable for his or her criminal acts and
to maintain community safety without incurring the expense of
formal prosecution. It is offered primarily to first-time offenders
who commit one of a limited number of crimes. A policy decision
package has been submitted requesting that this program be transferred
to an appropriate executive branch agency.
Treatment Alternatives to Street Crime (TASC) in Washington is a network of programs that serve as a bridge among the criminal justice system, substance abusing felons, and treatment programs. The Washington State TASC Network includes programs in Clark, King, Pierce, Snohomish, Spokane, and Yakima counties.
Program Employment
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1994-95 Actual | 1995-96 Estimated | 1996-97 Estimated | 1997-98 Proposed | 1998-99 Proposed | ||||||||||||||||
FTE Staff Years | 2.6 | 2.6 | 2.6 | 2.3 | 2.6 | |||||||||||||||
Average FTE Staff Year Costs | 38,323 | 45,750 | 48,867 | 51,717 | 48,867 | |||||||||||||||
Expenditure Detail
| ||||||||||||||||||
1994-95 Actual | 1995-96 Estimated | 1996-97 Estimated | 1997-98 Proposed | 1998-99 Proposed | ||||||||||||||
Salaries and Benefits | 124,459 | 148,752 | 160,324 | 148,683 | 160,240 | |||||||||||||
Grants and Subsidies | 50,000 | 90,188 | 90,188 | |||||||||||||||
Other Operating Costs | 3,687,514 | 3,682,784 | 3,707,796 | 3,685,742 | 3,830,387 | |||||||||||||
Annual Total |
3,861,973 |
3,831,536 |
3,958,308 |
3,834,425 |
4,080,815 | |||||||||||||
Fiscal Year 1993-94 | 3,584,634 | |||||||||||||||||
Biennium Total |
7,446,607 |
7,789,844 |
7,915,240 | |||||||||||||||
Source of Funds
| |||||||||||||||||||
1994-95 Actual | 1995-96 Estimated | 1996-97 Estimated | 1997-98 Proposed | 1998-99 Proposed | |||||||||||||||
General Fund - Basic Account - State | 148,475 | ||||||||||||||||||
Public Safety & Education Account - State | 454,410 | 3,829,220 | 3,958,308 | 3,834,425 | 4,080,815 | ||||||||||||||
Public Safety & Education Account - Federal Unanticipated | 2,113 | ||||||||||||||||||
Public Safety & Education Account - Private/Local Unanticipated | 17,275 | 2,316 | |||||||||||||||||
Violence Reduction/Drug Enforcement - State | 3,239,578 | ||||||||||||||||||
Health Services Account - State | 122 | ||||||||||||||||||
Annual Total |
3,861,973 |
3,831,536 |
3,958,308 |
3,834,425 |
4,080,815 | ||||||||||||||
This program pays the constitutionally required one-half of the
superior court judge's salary and benefits. One-half of each superior
court pro-tem and mandatory arbitration judge's salary is also
paid through this program.
The objective of the program is to provide prompt payment of all legally authorized expenses.
Program Employment
| ||||||||||||||||||||
1994-95 Actual | 1995-96 Estimated | 1996-97 Estimated | 1997-98 Proposed | 1998-99 Proposed | ||||||||||||||||
FTE Staff Years | 157.2 | 158.0 | 159.0 | 165.0 | 164.0 | |||||||||||||||
Average FTE Staff Year Costs | 48,285 | 49,228 | 49,889 | 49,279 | 49,978 | |||||||||||||||
Expenditure Detail
| ||||||||||||||||||
1994-95 Actual | 1995-96 Estimated | 1996-97 Estimated | 1997-98 Proposed | 1998-99 Proposed | ||||||||||||||
Salaries and Benefits | 10,423,216 | 10,698,291 | 9,916,185 | 10,000,092 | 10,210,266 | |||||||||||||
Grants and Subsidies | 400,945 | 399,215 | 614,112 | 596,412 | 614,112 | |||||||||||||
Other Operating Costs | 1,088,523 | 227,621 | 1,739,996 | 2,009,910 | 1,833,956 | |||||||||||||
Annual Total |
11,912,684 |
11,325,127 |
12,270,293 |
12,606,414 |
12,658,334 | |||||||||||||
Fiscal Year 1993-94 | 11,471,631 | |||||||||||||||||
Biennium Total |
23,384,315 |
23,595,420 |
25,264,748 | |||||||||||||||
Source of Funds
| |||||||||||||||||||
1994-95 Actual | 1995-96 Estimated | 1996-97 Estimated | 1997-98 Proposed | 1998-99 Proposed | |||||||||||||||
General Fund - Basic Account - State | 11,911,529 | 11,256,127 | 12,201,293 | 12,537,139 | 12,588,808 | ||||||||||||||
Public Safety & Education Account - State | 1,155 | 69,000 | 69,000 | 69,275 | 69,526 | ||||||||||||||
Annual Total |
11,912,684 |
11,325,127 |
12,270,293 |
12,606,414 |
12,658,334 | ||||||||||||||
As a result of the enactment of Chapter 221, Laws of 1996, the duties of the Indigent Appeals program were transferred to the newly created Office of Public Defense effective July 1, 1996. All data for this program have been transferred to the Office of Public Defense and are shown in that agency for comparability purposes.
The Management Services program provides general business support
services to the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, and the Office
of the Administrator for the Courts. Services include financial
services, human resource management, contracts management, facilities
management, telecommunications, office automation training and
support, copy center services, and administrative support.
The objective of this program is to provide prompt payment of all legally authorized expenditures.
Program Employment
| ||||||||||||||||||||
1994-95 Actual | 1995-96 Estimated | 1996-97 Estimated | 1997-98 Proposed | 1998-99 Proposed | ||||||||||||||||
FTE Staff Years | 26.4 | 30.1 | 30.8 | 30.0 | 30.8 | |||||||||||||||
Average FTE Staff Year Costs | 36,854 | 35,618 | 36,542 | 35,737 | 36,542 | |||||||||||||||
Expenditure Detail
| ||||||||||||||||||
1994-95 Actual | 1995-96 Estimated | 1996-97 Estimated | 1997-98 Proposed | 1998-99 Proposed | ||||||||||||||
Salaries and Benefits | 1,234,672 | 1,355,028 | 1,419,496 | 1,354,270 | 1,418,662 | |||||||||||||
Other Operating Costs | 625,769 | 719,147 | 864,383 | 729,058 | 899,874 | |||||||||||||
Annual Total |
1,860,441 |
2,074,175 |
2,283,879 |
2,083,328 |
2,318,536 | |||||||||||||
Fiscal Year 1993-94 | 1,496,441 | |||||||||||||||||
Biennium Total |
3,356,882 |
4,358,054 |
4,401,864 | |||||||||||||||
Source of Funds - Public Safety & Education Account - State | |||||||||||||||||||