Bill Overview
Title: To amend title 28, United States Code, to provide an additional place for holding court for the Western District of Washington, and for other purposes.
Description: This bill requires court in the Western District of Washington to be additionally held in Mount Vernon.
Sponsors: Rep. DelBene, Suzan K. [D-WA-1]
Target Audience
Population: Residents of the Western District of Washington
Estimated Size: 1453400
- This bill impacts the legal proceedings in the Western District of Washington.
- Mount Vernon will have a new court location, affecting legal professionals and individuals involved in court cases.
- Population affected primarily includes residents of the Western District of Washington.
- Businesses and entities within the Western District that engage with the court system will be directly impacted.
Reasoning
- The policy primarily impacts residents of the Western District of Washington, particularly those involved in legal proceedings, legal professionals, and businesses regularly interacting with the court system.
- The budget constraints suggest that resources may be limited in affecting a large population or achieving significant changes in wellbeing scores across the entire district.
- Most people would see little change in their daily lives, but for those who are frequently involved in the court system, convenience and access might improve.
Simulated Interviews
Lawyer (Seattle, WA)
Age: 38 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The additional court location in Mount Vernon will reduce my travel time for some cases.
- It should make scheduling easier for myself and some of my clients.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Judge (Everett, WA)
Age: 55 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Judges will have more flexibility in scheduling hearings between Seattle and Mount Vernon.
- This change allows for a more balanced caseload across the district.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Paralegal (Mount Vernon, WA)
Age: 27 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Having a court location here will make attending court sessions more feasible for residents.
- It may also increase local job opportunities related to the court system.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Retired (Mount Vernon, WA)
Age: 65 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I seldom go to court, but more local services can boost community engagement.
- Would like to see indirect benefits like improved local infrastructure.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Small Business Owner (Bellingham, WA)
Age: 32 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The new court could bring more business.
- Greater foot traffic might require hiring more staff.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Corporate Attorney (Seattle, WA)
Age: 44 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Mount Vernon is generally outside my professional area of activity.
- I don't see any direct effect on my work or clients.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Public Defender (Tacoma, WA)
Age: 30 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This may help redistribute caseloads and provide better access to justice in northern areas.
- However, infrastructure support for clients will also be crucial.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Court Reporter (Olympia, WA)
Age: 48 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- More traveling for work but similarly offers additional job opportunities.
- Could provide more stable work conditions.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Local Government Employee (Mount Vernon, WA)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- New court location is a positive development for Mount Vernon.
- Increased administrative considerations and resources might be required.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Student (Issaquah, WA)
Age: 26 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- As a student, any changes to the district's legal infrastructure are academically interesting.
- Doubt I'd feel much direct impact but internships or opportunities might arise.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $500000 (Low: $400000, High: $600000)
Year 2: $300000 (Low: $250000, High: $350000)
Year 3: $300000 (Low: $250000, High: $350000)
Year 5: $300000 (Low: $250000, High: $350000)
Year 10: $300000 (Low: $250000, High: $350000)
Year 100: $300000 (Low: $250000, High: $350000)
Key Considerations
- The location in Mount Vernon may improve accessibility for legal proceedings for residents in northern Washington.
- Increased legal infrastructure costs may present budget challenges in the initial phases.
- Operational efficiencies could evolve as the court becomes established and integrated into the system.
- Local economic benefits may arise from increased employment and service demands.