Seattle Municipal Court Privacy Notice
1. Purpose
The Seattle Municipal Court (court) is committed to protecting the personal information we collect, share, and use to provide critical and needed services to City residents and visitors. We understand the value of personal information and abide by applicable laws, statutes, court rules, data use agreements, and industry regulations that provide protection and guidance around the collection, sharing and use of certain types of data. The public's right to access court records is balanced with the protection of personal privacy, consistent with the above. This notice explains how the court gathers, uses, shares, discloses, and manages personal information related to court records and activities.
2. Personal information
Personal information is anything that can be used to distinguish, trace, contact or link to an identifiable individual. In the context of court proceedings, this may include, but is not limited to, the following identifiers:
- Date of birth
- Home address
- Driver’s License number
- Vehicle license plate
- Vehicle owner name and address
- Financial account numbers
- Personal health care information
- Ethnicity
- Gender
3. Collection of personal information
The court collects personal information through a variety of official means, which may include:
- Documents and forms filed by parties, attorneys, and other individuals involved in a case (e.g. Seattle City Attorney’s Office, Seattle Police Department, King County Department of Public Defense, private attorneys, self-represented litigants etc.).
- Evidence submitted in a proceeding including financial records or medical reports.
- Testimony and other information presented during hearings and trials.
- Administrative and personnel records for court employees.
- Through data sharing agreements with others involved in court processes including the Department of Licensing (DOL).
4. Use of personal information
The court uses personal information exclusively for purposes authorized by law, court rules, or data use agreement to conduct court business. These purposes include, but are not limited to:
- Case management and administration.
- Authenticating the identity of parties and other individuals.
- Providing public access to court records as required by law.
- Statistical and research purposes, provided that individual identities are protected.
5. Sharing and disclosure of personal information
The court discloses personal information as authorized by court rules and applicable law. Information provided to the court under a data use agreement is handled in accordance with the agreement and not disclosed to other parties unless disclosure is explicitly authorized in the data use agreement.
Authorized disclosures may include:
- Public access: In keeping with the principle of open courts, some information in court records is publicly available through the court’s online case portal. However, court rules require the redaction of certain personal identifiers from filings solely by counsel and parties. The court is not responsible for reviewing pleadings for compliance with redaction requirements.
- Law enforcement and other agencies: The court may share personal information with law enforcement agencies or other governmental entities as part of an official investigation or as otherwise required by law.
- Parties to a case: Under certain circumstances and with court oversight, parties in a case may have access to information relevant to the proceedings.
6. Protection and management of personal information
The court employs technical, administrative, and physical safeguards to protect personal information from unauthorized access, use, or disclosure. These practices include:
- Redaction of personal identifiers: It is the responsibility of the filing party to redact personal identifiers, such as Social Security numbers and full financial account numbers, from court filings before submission.
- Sealing court records: In cases involving especially sensitive information, a party may petition the court to seal specific documents or an entire case file to restrict public access.
- Secure systems: Electronic case file systems are secured with access controls, regular backups, and other security measures to protect the integrity and confidentiality of records.
- Limited data retention: The court retains personal information only for as long as legally required or necessary for official purposes, after which it is securely disposed of.
- Training: Court staff receive annual training on security and privacy of criminal justice information.
7. Individual rights and remedies
Individuals have certain rights concerning their personal information in court records. These rights may include:
- Access and amendment: The right to review and request corrections to their information as maintained in official court systems.
- Redaction requests: The ability to submit a formal request to the court to have personal identifiers redacted from official documents.
- Complaints: The method for an individual to provide notice to the court regarding the use or misuse of their personal information.
8. Contact information
For questions about this privacy notice or the court's handling of personal information, individuals may contact:
Public Disclosure Officer
Seattle Municipal Court
600 5th Ave
PO Box 34987
Seattle WA 98124-4987
SMC_PIO@seattle.gov
(206) 684-5600