Seattle Tacoma, WA, October 8, 2026 —

In Seattle, the King County Department of Public Defense (DPD) has announced it is distancing itself from a new initiative, the “connection court,” recently established by Seattle City Attorney Erika Evans. The department has voiced significant criticisms regarding the program’s structure and potential effectiveness.

The DPD’s concerns center on what they describe as the court’s restrictive eligibility criteria. Additionally, the department pointed to a lengthy 90-day jurisdiction period associated with the court. According to the DPD, these aspects of the “connection court” may lead to the punishment of repeat offenders without adequately addressing the underlying causes of criminal behavior.

The public defense department has stated its belief that the new court’s approach is fundamentally similar to the existing system. This assertion suggests a lack of perceived innovation or a failure to implement the changes proponents of therapeutic courts often aim for. The contractor’s name and specific details regarding the eligibility criteria or the exact nature of the “current system” were not provided in the announcement. The fine amount for any violations or specific outcomes of the 90-day jurisdiction period were also not detailed.

The DPD’s decision to distance itself indicates a significant disagreement with the City Attorney’s office over the direction and implementation of this new judicial approach aimed at addressing crime in Seattle. The full scope of the DPD’s disagreement and the potential impact on the “connection court” remains to be seen.


Story summarized from the original created by Nathalie Graham on www.thestranger.com, see more information here.

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