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WHO WE ARE

Washington State Association of County Clerks (WSACC) is comprised of independent, elected and appointed officials in the Executive Branch prescribed by the Washington State Constitution (Article IV, Sec. 26) with specific and special duties assigned by statute, local and state court rules.  Superior Court Clerks are charged with the essential responsibility of maintaining Superior Court legal records, handling the financial matters of Superior Court, and providing access to the legal/justice system. Simply put, County Clerks run the day-to-day business of the Superior Courts.

WSACC’s MISSION is to accurately document, maintain and provide access to the court and financial records of Superior Court in addition to the efficient management of the day-to-day operations of the Clerk’s Office within the legal/justice system.

WSACC’s VISION is to provide the efficient administration of the day-to-day Clerk’s Office functions within the county legal/justice system and enhance access to justice for all.

We achieve this through our CORE VALUES of transparency, accuracy, public access, and Impartiality.

WHAT WE DO

  • Lead in the implementation of best practices for processing and maintaining court legal and financial records on behalf of the Superior Court.  
  • Facilitate the efficient and effective administration of the County Clerk’s Office within the legal/justice system.
  • Provide for the lawful public access to a fair, accurate and independently established record of the opinions, decisions, and judgments of the Superior Court.
  • Advocate on behalf of the people for access to the legal/justice system.

POLICY OBJECTIVES

  1. Assist with proposed legislation to ensure proposed processes can be implemented to achieve the intent of the proponents.

WSACC is tasked to procedurally implement many new and revised laws.  We are the subject matter experts in each of our offices and often will see roadblocks that might impact the intent of legislation.  As the keepers of the record, and needing to ensure the integrity of the court record in perpetuity, clerks welcome the opportunity to assist in crafting legislation that allows for practical and efficient process implementation.

  1. Ensure appropriate budget and cost management for the smooth operation of the legal system.

Many of the duties of the Clerk’s Office are mandated by law.  Funding to our offices is provided primarily by local county governments.  WSACC will work to assist counties in identifying funding concerns and increases in work demands. WSACC will identify opportunities that might increase efficiency as well as areas that may require increased funding to implement effectively.

  1. Promote open access to the public court record through independent Clerk’s Offices.

 WSACC is tasked with protecting both access to the record, and the integrity of the record, forever.  Access to case documents is authorized only by the local Clerk’s Office or the Washington Archives.  WSACC cares deeply about these issues and ensures access to open court records is available to all while protecting local county resources in providing such access.

 

  1. Advocate and provide resources for all court participants by eliminating barriers based on economic, demographic factors.

 WSACC members are often the first stop for citizens accessing the court system.  Participants we meet may be lost and confused about the legal matters they have found themselves involved in.  More and more lack the resources to hire independent counsel and are navigating the system with limited resources.  Although WSACC is prohibited from providing legal advice, we are dedicated to providing resources and referrals to all parties impartially as a neutral third party.  WSACC will advocate on behalf of participants for appropriate resources to assist in navigating the complicated legal system.

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