The fines stem from the long-running Trueblood class action, which challenges Washington's delays in providing court-ordered mental health evaluations and competency restoration services to criminal defendants. The case involves individuals like A.B., represented through next friend Cassie Cordell Trueblood, who have experienced lengthy waits for mental health services while detained.
Judge Chun imposed $240,000 in new in-jail evaluation contempt fines for December 2025 violations, offset by a $3,750 decrease from updated November calculations. The judge noted that while the state also incurred $46,000 in additional inpatient restoration contempt fines during the reporting period, those penalties "shall not be reduced to judgment" under a previous settlement agreement.
The contempt sanctions follow years of litigation over Washington's mental health system delays. The case began in 2014 and resulted in a settlement agreement that the court approved, establishing timelines for evaluations and restoration services. The ongoing fines indicate continued struggles by the state to meet court-mandated deadlines.
The $236,250 judgment will accrue interest at the federal statutory rate until paid and must be deposited with the court registry pending further orders. The substantial financial penalties reflect the court's frustration with persistent delays in a system meant to serve some of the state's most vulnerable residents.