Judge Theresa Scala
How is this compared?
This judge: 8 of 1,182 (0.7 %) got relief (includes their cases in other courts). The other judges in the court: 327 of 11,314 (2.9 %). We say "more" or "less" only when the difference is statistically clear (two-proportion test, 95%); otherwise "similar".
Decisions over 12 months
In plain words
Out of every 100 cases this judge decided, 1 got relief. Very few cases end with relief.
4 of every 10 cases were decided in absentia, without the person at the hearing. Going to your hearing is the most important thing you can do.
With and without an attorney, the share with relief was similar (2.0 % and 0.0 %).
Of their 1,182 decisions, 8 ended with relief, 382 with the case closed, 187 with voluntary departure and 605 with a removal order.
| Outcome | Decisions | % |
|---|---|---|
| Relief | 8 | 0.7 % |
| Case closed | 382 | 32.3 % |
| Voluntary departure | 187 | 15.8 % |
| Removal order | 605 | 51.2 % |
| Decided in absentia | 454 | 38.4 % |
This judge, the court and the nation
With Theresa Scala, the share of cases with relief is 0.7 %: lower than at the Seattle court (2.7 %) and lower than nationwide (2.4 %).
With Theresa Scala, the share of removal orders is 51.2 %: lower than at the Seattle court (80.5 %) and lower than nationwide (75.6 %).
With Theresa Scala, the share of cases decided in absentia is 38.4 %: lower than at the Seattle court (55.9 %) and lower than nationwide (45.3 %).
With Theresa Scala, the share of people with an attorney is 34.7 %: similar than at the Seattle court (34.8 %) and lower than nationwide (38.1 %).
Cases with Theresa Scala take less time than at the Seattle court: a median of 632 days versus 865.
Compared with other judges
- Ranked 9 of 9 for relief among the judges of their court (1 = most relief).
- Ranked 8 of 9 for cases decided in absentia (1 = most in absentia).
- Ranked 2 of 9 for speed (1 = fastest).
- Grants relief more often than 23 of every 100 judges nationwide (among 850 judges with 50 or more decisions).
Decisions per month (Sep 2025 – Aug 2026)
The busiest month was Jul 2026 (169 decisions) and the quietest Jun 2026 (29).
| Month | Decisions | Relief | In absentia | Vs. prior month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 2025 | 120 | 1 | 26 | — |
| Oct 2025 | 106 | 2 | 33 | down |
| Nov 2025 | 117 | 2 | 27 | up |
| Dec 2025 | 105 | 0 | 44 | down |
| Jan 2026 | 105 | 0 | 25 | same |
| Feb 2026 | 138 | 0 | 24 | up |
| Mar 2026 | 67 | 2 | 22 | down |
| Apr 2026 | 94 | 1 | 21 | up |
| May 2026 | 49 | 0 | 10 | down |
| Jun 2026 | 29 | 0 | 20 | down |
| Jul 2026 | 169 | 0 | 129 | up |
| Aug 2026 | 83 | 0 | 73 | down |
Months with fewer than 5 decisions are dotted: with so few cases, that month's percentage says little.
By nationality
The nationality with the most decisions before Theresa Scala is Mexico (348), followed by Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador and Venezuela. The highest share with relief was for people from Venezuela (1.6 %).
| Country of origin | Decisions | Relief | In absentia |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mexico | 348 | 1.2 % | 32.8 % |
| Guatemala | 321 | 0.0 % | 49.8 % |
| Honduras | 203 | 0.0 % | 49.8 % |
| El Salvador | 72 | 0.0 % | 37.5 % |
| Venezuela | 62 | 1.6 % | 19.4 % |
Only countries with 25 or more decisions with this judge; cases without a recorded nationality are not included.
With and without an attorney
| Decisions | Relief | |
|---|---|---|
| With an attorney | 410 | 2.0 % |
| Without an attorney | 772 | 0.0 % |
Where this judge decides
- Seattle Immigration Court: 840 decisions (71.1 %)
- Tacoma Immigration Court: 335 decisions (28.3 %)
- Salt Lake City Immigration Court: 7 decisions (0.6 %)