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THE LEGAL BRIEF
VOLUME 42, ISSUE 5
A View From The Bench
By Judge Indu Thomas and Judge Sharonda Amamilo, Thurston County Superior Court Judges at Family & Juvenile Court November is the month when we celebrate Thanksgiving. The holiday season comes with high expectations for a festive family gathering. Judges Thomas and Amamilo are currently assigned to the Family and Juvenile Court (FJC) where for many this time of year is tinged with sadness, anxiety, or depression. An attitude of gratitude lifts the spirits so, we come together intentionally to express our gratitude.
Gratitude is appreciation for the goodness in our lives. In the process, people usually recognize that the source of that goodness lies at least partially outside themselves. As a result, being grateful also helps people connect to something larger than themselves. Grateful people are happier people. As we sat down to discuss this article, we were lifted from the day - to - day trials of FJC to notice the community we work in and the service and collaboration all around us.
The mission of the Thurston County Superior Court is to serve the public by resolving civil and criminal cases quickly and fairly while ensuring access:
• Access: The court aims to make its programs, services, and court accessible to everyone. It also ensures that all individuals have equal access to the judicial system. • Fair treatment: The court strives to ensure that everyone receives fair treatment. • Community input: The court seeks community input to reflect the needs of the diverse community and to ensure public confidence in the judiciary. We are grateful for representation . We would not be able to achieve the mission of the court without you. Attorneys provide direct representation in civil protection order cases and minor guardianships. Accommodation Attorneys provide robust representation to those struggling with traumatic brain injuries or other disabilities which prevent them from being able to represent themselves. We see you working with members from every walk of society. You are generous with your time. The patience you demonstrate with the people that you are appointed to represent, investigate, or serve is heartwarming. We acknowledge that budget constraints and legal restrictions prohibit us from reimbursing you fully for the service you provide to our community. We are grateful for restoration . Title 4 Guardians ad litem (GALs) represent the legal interests of those who are incapacitated. You are critical to the ability of these litigants to voice their concerns and positions. GALs and court visitors investigate allegations. They serve as the eyes and ears of the court and provide information to ensure that our decisions are grounded on the relevant facts. Pro tem judicial officers are a regular presence at FJC. You enable us to take our recesses and still serve the public. You restore our faith and our spirits. You equip us to create orders that restore families. We are grateful for reunification . In our day - to - day, we see many individuals struggling with different challenges that impact their ability to have healthy and stable relationships. Dependency, minor guardianship, juvenile offenders, youth at risk, and children in need of services cases provide an opportunity to help by restoring Hope. Belief in community allows the FJC to collaborate with litigants and the public. The court delivers critical decisions, bringing closure to past hurts, restoring faith in justice, and realizing the unifying power of treating everyone with dignity and respect. Every day, every effort, matters.
We are grateful for rehabilitation . Trauma changes people. The work of the Thurston County legal community reflects a recognition of the impact of trauma on people entering our courts. Not just litigants but also observers,
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