Why Whatcom Court Watch Exists
The public deserves a court system that functions with accuracy, accountability, and integrity. When procedural safeguards break down, the consequences extend far beyond individual cases.
Whatcom Court Watch is an independent public-transparency project dedicated to documenting and analyzing procedural practices within Whatcom County Superior Court. Our work is rooted in a simple principle: the public deserves a court system that functions with accuracy, accountability, and integrity.
When procedural safeguards break down — whether in ex parte handling, judicial signature verification, service of process, or chain-of-custody tracking — the consequences extend far beyond individual cases. They impact families, property rights, due process, and the public's trust in the justice system.
Our purpose is not to litigate, accuse, or take sides. Our purpose is to provide a central, public-facing record of procedural problems, encourage community participation, and bring transparency to court processes that otherwise occur behind closed doors.
Key Issues Documented
Recurring procedural gaps observed across multiple Whatcom County family law proceedings, compared against the requirements of Washington statutes, court rules, and governing case law.
Ex Parte Process Irregularities
No intake logs, routing slips, or chain-of-custody tracking for ex parte document submissions.
Unverified Judicial Signatures
Commissioner signatures on real estate closing documents outside any court-filed authorization.
Missing Service Documentation
Orders enforced without proof of service in the Odyssey case management record.
Attorney Fee Award Procedure
Fee amounts first appearing in counsel's proposed orders, not in any prior oral or written ruling.
De Novo Review Standard
Revision hearings conducted as affirmance rather than independent de novo review under RCW 2.24.050.
CR 11 Sanctions Procedure
Sanctions imposed without a separately filed and noticed motion or predicate ruling on the record.
Have You Experienced Procedural Irregularities
in Whatcom County?
Your submission helps identify patterns and supports transparency. All information may be used anonymously for public-interest documentation.
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