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Bill

SB 5021

Concerning retention of court exhibits.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Manka Dhingra and 3 co-sponsors

SB 5021 establishes new timelines for Washington courts to retain, return, or dispose of physical evidence exhibits, balancing judicial storage efficiency with preservation of trial materials.

Effective date 7/27/2025.
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Bill Summary · SB 5021

Legislative bill overview

SB 5021 modifies Washington state law regarding how long courts must retain physical exhibits submitted as evidence in cases. The bill establishes new timelines and procedures for the disposal or return of court exhibits after cases conclude, replacing previous retention requirements with a more streamlined framework.

Why is this important

Court exhibits can accumulate significantly over time, creating storage burdens and costs for the judicial system. This bill addresses practical administrative challenges while attempting to balance the need to preserve evidence for appeals and potential future legal proceedings against the operational efficiency of courts managing physical spaces.

Potential points of contention

  • Parties' access to exhibits: Changes to retention periods could limit the time defendants, plaintiffs, or their attorneys have to retrieve exhibits or use them in appeals, potentially disadvantaging those seeking to preserve physical evidence.
  • Storage burden vs. justice concerns: While reducing court storage costs benefits taxpayers, shorter retention periods might complicate post-conviction relief efforts or discovery in related cases if exhibits are destroyed prematurely.
  • Notification requirements: The bill's procedures for notifying parties that exhibits will be destroyed may not adequately reach all stakeholders, particularly unrepresented individuals or those with outdated contact information.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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