SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6404

As Reported By Senate Committee On:

Judiciary, January 28, 2002

Title:  An act relating to duties of the sheriff.

Brief Description:  Modifying sheriff duties.

Sponsors:  Senators Jacobsen and Costa.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Judiciary: 1/17/02, 1/28/02 [DPS].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6404 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

Signed by Senators Kline, Chair; Kastama, Vice Chair; Costa, Hargrove, Poulsen and Thibaudeau.

Staff:  Lisa Ellis (786-7421)

Background:  County sheriffs have a duty to attend the sessions of courts of records.  City police chiefs provide security to municipal courts.  District courts receive security by county sheriffs if the district court is located in the same building as a court of record.

The District and Municipal Court Judges' Association (DMCJA) is concerned that county sheriffs are not required to provide security at district courts which are not located in the same building as a court of record.  Instances of near injury and threats of injuries have been reported in district courts.  The DMCJA recommends that county sheriffs provide security to all district courts in order to reduce the potential for violence during district court sessions.

Summary of Substitute Bill:  Representative(s) from the Washington State Association of Counties, Washington State Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs and judge(s) from the District and Municipal Court Judges Association will study the issue of security for district courts and report their findings prior to the 2003 legislative session.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The original bill is converted into a study.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on January 14, 2002.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  District court judges preside over cases involving violence and assault.  District court judges, personnel, and the general public would like to be provided with a level of security equal to other courts during court sessions.

Testimony Against:  The counties cannot financially handle the costs of providing additional personnel to provide security at district courts.  If a deputy is requested, security is provided to district courts when there is a serious risk to safety.

Testified:  Judge Peter Lukevich, District and Municipal Court Judges Association (pro); Sophia Byrd, Washington State Association of Counties (con); Larry Erickson, Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs.