Independent. Public. Principled.
Whatcom Court Watch is an independent public-transparency project created to document procedural inconsistencies, gather public experiences, and provide information to journalists, researchers, and the community.
We are not a business, not a law firm, and not a political organization. We exist solely to promote public accountability.
Documenting What the Record Shows
Over the past several years, community members have reported troubling inconsistencies — including missing service records, ex parte documents processed without tracking, unexplained signatures on real-estate filings, and orders entered without clear procedural history.
These issues are not merely administrative oversights — they represent potential systemic vulnerabilities that affect every litigant who relies on the court to protect their rights.
What Guides Our Work
Transparency
All findings are based on public records and official transcripts. Nothing is characterized beyond what the record shows.
Accuracy
We document what the record shows — nothing more. Every claim is grounded in a verifiable source.
Neutral Documentation
We examine process, not personalities. Our work does not assert personal misconduct or bias against any individual.
Public Interest
Our work is for the community, not any individual. The procedural framework exists to protect everyone.
Accountability
Courts function best when the public can observe them. Visibility is a prerequisite for improvement.
Due Process
Procedural safeguards exist to protect everyone — including those who lack the resources to enforce them in real time.
Our Activities
- 01 Collect public reports from community members who have experienced procedural irregularities
- 02 Document gaps in ex parte procedures and chain-of-custody tracking
- 03 Track missing or irregular court service documentation in the Odyssey record
- 04 Analyze judicial signature processes against applicable Washington standards
- 05 Publicly share verified, anonymized information and comparative county analyses
- 06 Publish timelines and procedural breakdowns based on official transcripts
- 07 Provide clean summaries and resource packages for journalists and researchers
- 08 Compare Whatcom County procedures to those of neighboring counties
- 09 Document fee award procedures against the requirements of Washington statutes and case law
Our Commitment to the Public
Our mission is to promote transparency, accountability, and procedural integrity within Whatcom County Superior Court by documenting court practices, analyzing systemic irregularities, and providing the public with clear, factual, and unbiased information.
We are committed to ensuring that core due-process protections — such as proper service, accurate record-keeping, verifiable ex parte procedures, and authenticated judicial signatures — are upheld consistently and reliably.
Through public reporting, comparative analysis, and community engagement, we aim to strengthen confidence in the judicial system, support informed oversight, and foster improvements in administrative practices that protect the rights and interests of all court users.
Nothing on this website constitutes legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is created. Whatcom Court Watch is not a law firm and does not provide legal representation. Information submitted may be used anonymously for public-interest documentation purposes.