Jones said his judicial experience and his background in various forms of law distinguishes him from his opponent. 17 Jul 2020 In the time he has lived here, he has worked diligently to improve this amazing place that we call home. The general election will be Nov. 3. Nelson said his experience working in law is vast and it’s part of what drove him to run. He said he believes his track record of working as a decision-maker in the legal community for the last decade is what sets him apart from his opponent. Judges are, first and foremost, public servants. The Republican party endorsed him, while the Democratic party endorsed his opponent. It is the highest county court, before reaching a state appeals court. Whatcom County, Washington; Washington Superior Court; Courts in Washington; External links Whatcom County Superior Court, Position 4. Erb is rated as well-qualified by the Latina/o Bar Association of Washington, Joint Asian Judicial Evaluations Committee, LGBTQ+ Bar Association of Washington (QLaw), the Washington State Veterans Bar Association and is rated as qualified by the Loren Miller Bar Association, Washington Women Lawyers and the Whatcom County Bar Association. As of Oct. 21, Freeman has raised $41,898 and spent $33,798, according to the state public disclosure commission. There are additional ways you’ll be able to watch these events live and recorded. Nelson said voters be paying attention to their local judicial races, and should work to get to know each of the candidates and their differences. Whatcom County Superior Court Judge, Position 2. James Erb. David E. Freeman. 47,881. Mon-Fri: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm Every candidate comes to the race having previous jobs within various offices in the legal system, Jones said, and what a person has done for a job “doesn’t define who you will be as a judge.”. The candidates’ answers to these questions are available to subscribers at our Voter’s Guide online: How will you ensure that your decisions are equitable and fair, particularly in regard to race and ethnicity of defendants? Jones’ endorsements include Whatcom County Prosecutor Eric Richey, Whatcom County Sheriff Bill Elfo, former county prosecutor Dave McEachran, multiple current and former judges, numerous public and private attorneys, and the police guilds for Bellingham, Lynden and Blaine. Whatcom … These are people that have seen my work as an attorney, have seen my work as a judge and they’re vouching for me to the voters. Publication date 2020-07-22 Topics Bellingham, Washington, Bellingham TV, BTV, Government Access TV, Community Media, PEG, Youtube, Whatcom County, Elections, Superior Court Judge… Snyder said he doesn’t believe endorsements impact a judicial candidate’s decision-making if elected to the bench, because that candidate should be ready to remove themselves from hearing cases involving people who endorsed them. Freeman was appointed by Gov. Jones said judges have to open and willing to talk about reforms that make the system better for everyone. He said it’s imperative that judges have experience representing defendants, something he said his opponent doesn’t have. “I am very confident that if elected, I will be an entirely independent thinker about all of the cases in front of me. Snyder said voters may have a hard time distinguishing between the judicial candidates because, unlike in other races, there are limits to what a judge can say. Judges and Commissioners hear and decide cases assigned to them by the Presiding Judge. He said these show he’s not biased, is impartial and can be trusted to be on the bench. Whatcom County Superior Court Judge, Position 4. Compare answers on key issues by David Freeman and Jim Nelson on our consolidated questionnaire. Jim Nelson has worked as a private attorney for 31 years. Publication date 2020-07-22 Topics Bellingham, Washington, Bellingham TV, BTV, Government Access TV, Community Media, PEG, Youtube, Whatcom County, Superior Court Judge, Bellingham, 2020 Freeman is running to retain his seat as a Whatcom County Superior Court Judge. Erb said the voters should consider whether they feel comfortable with the county prosecutor, sheriff and local law enforcement community picking the next judge — a reference to his opponent’s endorsements — or whether the voters want someone “well qualified and who is independent from those actors.” Erb said he believes this independence is important. When it comes to equal justice, Nelson said there are ways that judges can use their discretionary powers to ensure things like a fair racial makeup that’s representative of the community on juries, or that someone isn’t being dismissed as a juror for an unfair reason. As of Oct. 21, Jones has raised $27,187 and spent $20,117, according to the state public disclosure commission. “Public defenders don’t really just defend the clients, they’re defending the public at large. Most positions up for election are state and federal and also of courts. David Freeman is a judge for the Whatcom County Superior Court in Whatcom County, Washington. Asotin, Columbia, Garfield Superior Court - Judge Position 1; Benton, Franklin Superior Court - Judge Position 1; Skagit Superior Court - Judge Position 3; Thurston Superior Court - Judge Position 8; Whatcom Superior Court - Judge Position 2; Whatcom Superior Court - Judge Position 4 Nelson has practiced law for 31 years and has worked in five counties. Lee Grochmal. 3: Raquel Montoya-Lewis (not on primary ballot – will be on November ballot) Whatcom PUD dist. Judges Rob Olson and Lee Grochmal ran unopposed, so they did not appear on the primary or general election ballots and retain their positions. The superior courts are courts of record, and shall be always open, except on nonjudicial days. E-mail: info@lwvwa.org, 1511 3rd Ave., Suite 900 Erb said he has wanted to be a judge since early on in his legal career. David Freeman is running to retain Whatcom Superior Court, Judge Position 4. The following Forums will be broadcast live as Zoom Webinars. The Judges hear and decide on all cases assigned to their department. Whatcom County has four Superior Court judges. Nelson said he believes his more than three decades of experience and independence make him the better candidate for a Whatcom County Superior Court judicial position. “He told me that I shouldn’t limit myself, as far as my career path and what I wanted to do, and whatever it was that I should follow it,” Freeman said. Google Maps Directions. Judges must be independent, impartial, and have had extensive prior experience as an attorney - not merely working on legal issues but working closely with people who have difficult legal problems. Whatcom man arrested 3 times in 4 days on suspicion of DUI, Borrowing someone else’s Netflix password? Deborra Garrett; Ira Uhrig; Former judges. Jones currently works as a deputy felony prosecuting attorney in the Whatcom County prosecutor’s office. Support the Committee to Elect Evan Jones. Whatcom County Superior Court is one of 39 Superior Courts in Washington. Freeman was appointed to Whatcom Judge Position 4 on Jan. 28 by Gov. The Superior Court Judges are elected to four-year terms and the Commissioners are appointed by the Judges. “It’s something that I’ve really, truly thought a lot about and wanted to make sure that I was the appropriate fit for this job and to serve my community in this way.”. Superior Court Judge Position 4 David E. Freeman was appointed to the Whatcom County Superior Court in 2020 when Judge Raquel Montoya-Lewis was appointed to the Washington Supreme Court. Location. Raquel Montoya-Lewis; Charles R. Snyder; See also. “With justice and with the courts, we can pick judges that we can trust to be fair to everyone.”. Jones said he’s been working to reach as many people as he can across the county. Vote %. In the courtroom, Erb said judges can work to ensure juries reflect the diversity of the community and watch for unfair patterns during the jury selection process. It’s also critically important that judges keep a detailed record, Erb said, so that if a case goes up to a higher court, attorneys can’t “fill in the gaps” from an incomplete record with arguments that might not be true and thus perpetuate systemic issues. League of Women Voters of the United States, Whatcom Superior Court, Judge Position 4 (LWVBWC). Whatcom County voters will … Freeman was appointed as a Whatcom County Superior Court Judge in January of this year by Gov. Having that background allows judges to see the consequences of the decisions they’re making in the courtroom, he said. Four candidates are vying for Position 8 on Thurston County Superior Court in the Aug. 4 primary, hoping to fill a seat that will be left vacant by retiring Judge Anne Hirsch. Erb said the depth and breadth of his experience from working in multiple court systems sets him apart from his opponent and allows him to bring a wide perspective to the bench. Carl Munson is an attorney with 23 year of diverse legal experience who is running for Whatcom County Superior Court Judge in Bellingham,WA. James Erb and Evan Jones are running for Position 2; Judge David Freeman and Jim Nelson are running for Position 4. Whatcom Superior Court, Judge Position 2 (LWVBWC) When. Please look at our … The primary election will be Aug. 4. “I’ve been a public servant my entire career, and obviously I want what’s best for our community,” Freeman said. The Presiding Judge is elected by the other Superior Court Judges to serve not less than two years. I know about the concept of two systems and the feelings and real experiences of people of color. Erb’s endorsements include Supreme Court Justices, an appeals court judge, several state legislators, a current Whatcom County Superior Court Judge, the Lummi Nation, the Northwest Washington Central Labor Council and the Whatcom and 42nd LD Democrats. Freeman was rated exceptionally well qualified by the Whatcom County Bar Association, the Loren Miller Bar Association, the Cardozo Society of Washington, the Latina/o Bar Association of Washington, the QLaw Association of Washington and was rated well qualified by the Joint Asian Judicial Evaluations Committee. 4: No Endorsement. Snyder said it’s essential judges remain neutral and non-political, and only base their decisions on the facts and law involved in the cases before them. The Judges hear and decide on all cases assigned to their department. Describe an ethical dilemma you recently faced and explain how you solved it. The following Forums will be broadcast live as Zoom Webinars. It’s a very important decision for individuals, or often the community as a whole, so do the homework and look carefully at the information you can about the candidates and make the best choice.”. Vote. His father worked as an administrative review judge for several decades before he became severely disabled when Freeman was around 8 years old, Freeman said. Join Us. Nelson did not seek ratings from the various bar associations, he said. "-Eric J. Richey Whatcom County Prosecuting Attorney. “The time is right for unique perspectives that reflect our growing and diverse community,” the candidate said. Freeman, who has been working in law for around 15 years, has experience representing children’s interests in dependency matters, as a county prosecuting attorney, as a review judge for Washington state, as a pro-tem judge for all city municipal courts in the county and as a Whatcom County Superior Court commissioner. 17 Jul 2020 Because I’m aware that it exists. 2 talking about this. Washington State Constitution: Article IV, Section 29 Judge Position 1 District WHATCOM SUPERIOR COURT Candidate Robert E. Olson Judge Position 3 DistrictWHATCOM SUPERIOR COURT Candidate Lee Grochmal Phone: (206) 622-8961 Judges. We want judges to be impartial, we want them to be independent, we want you to act with integrity, and does your candidate do that? The Whatcom County Superior Court is one of 32 superior courts in the state of Washington. “I can be an ally to the bigger, broader societal discussions that are going on about the criminal justice system and in communities of color. Jones has spent his nearly 15-year legal career working across the various court systems in Whatcom County. Superior Court Questionnaire, Pos. As of Oct. 21, Nelson has raised $14,165 and has spent $14,165, according to the state public disclosure commission. Click on the icon below to access the member-only section. Some attorneys also may not feel comfortable challenging an incumbent, especially if they lose, he said. JULY 2007 THE WHATCOM COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION PAGE 3 Superior Court Notice to the Bar & Public June 20, 2007 ATTENTION Law Office Personnel: Please ensure that ALL staff, attorneys and non-attorneys are aware of the contents of this notice. Featuring candidates David Freeman, Carl Munson, and Jim Nelson. … County Results & Map. Judge David Freeman is running to retain his position as judge in Position 4 against Jim Nelson. Whatcom Superior Court - Judge Position 4 Superior Court judges handle criminal and civil cases and appeals cases that come from the lower courts. Lisa Keeler. Virtual. Freeman’s endorsements include the Lummi Indian Business Council, 20 current and former Supreme, appeals, Superior, District and municipal court judges, Whatcom County Executive Satpal Sidhu and Bellingham Mayor Seth Fleetwood. WHATCOM COUNTY. The League of Women Voters Education Fund does not endorse the contents of any web pages to which it links. late Judge Ira J. Uhrig who died in May 2018, considered not running for Whatcom County Prosecutor in 2018, Washington State Public Disclosure Commission, Freeman said his interest in law happened early on, available to subscribers at our Voter’s Guide online, Activist from Black Lives Matter movement to run for this Whatcom office, No change to Whatcom County races after election results are posted Friday evening, WWU female student reportedly escapes attempted drive-by kidnapping on Samish Way, State will enter Phase 3 March 22, professional sports to welcome fans, Three strikes and you‘re out? A list of Freeman’s endorsements can be found on his campaign page. … I hear these stories all the time from people of color about the inequities that they’ve faced,” Jones said. Whatcom County Superior Court Judge, Position 1. Carl Munson. Superior Court Judge David Freeman has been a resident of Whatcom County for nearly two decades. He said he considered not running for Whatcom County Prosecutor in 2018 because of how it might affect his chances to be elected judge. The Bellingham Herald interviewed all four candidates about why they’re running for judge. Whatcom Superior Court In the non-partisan races for judge: For position 1, Superior Court Judge Robert E. Olson is unopposed and is considered re-elected and won’t be on the ballot. Erb said he doesn’t have all the answers, but sees the problems with the criminal justice system, and wants to work to fix them. Jones said during his campaign he sought the endorsement of both the Whatcom Democratic and Republican parties. What do you consider your implicit and explicit biases and how will you address them? He is licensed to practice law in two states and in state and federal court. For position 1, Superior Court Judge Robert E. Olson is running unopposed. Jones said throughout his career he’s seen the traditional methods of the criminal justice system and he recognizes where that model isn’t working and where reforms and improvements can be made. Superior Court Judge Lee Grochmal is also running unopposed for position 3. “My endorsements, one of the things I”m most proud of is that they reflect the diversity of the community that we live in, and I think that’s really important for a judge to have that kind of diverse support,” Erb said. Whatcom Superior Court - Judge Position 4. Carl Munson. He is smart, motivated, and compassionate. RETAIN JUDGE DAVID FREEMAN. Snyder said judges have to be people who are independent, either know or have had exposure to all areas of law, are capable of making difficult decisions, have the proper kind of temperament, be unprejudiced and respectful, and will do the work to be prepared for the cases they’re hearing. Freeman said he also sought and was endorsed by both the Whatcom County Democrats and Republicans, as well as the 42nd LD Democrats. … You need people to know that ‘I can go to court and receive justice,’ they need to know that. He was appointed by Governor Jay Inslee in January of this year and previously served as a review judge in the Commissioner's Review Office for the Washington State Employee Security Department. Real-time updates and all local stories you want right in the palm of your hand. Freeman said judges need to be willing to be a check on power, to not become complacent with the systems that are in place and be willing to do the work to make necessary changes. You might be in for a rude awakening, Tri-Cities legislator wants to end WA state voting by mail, New DNC chair promises greater midterm election involvement — to Democrats’ relief, GOP to open community centers to reach out to Black voters in battleground states, Could ranked choice voting make elections more equitable? … The only solution is for people to see these endorsements for what they really are,” Nelson said. “The judge’s election is going to affect community members way, way more than the Presidential election simply because the judge is more directly involved in the community and in their lives where they live. I know Evan will make an excellent Superior Court Judge. James Erb and Evan Jones are running for Position 2, which is opening due to Judge Deborra Garrett’s retirement. Reporter Denver Pratt joined The Bellingham Herald in 2017 and covers courts and criminal and social justice. The court presides over Whatcom County. He replaced Justice Raquel Montoya-Lewis, who was appointed in December 2019 to the Washington State Supreme Court. He has experience working in multiple city prosecutor’s offices, as a private practice attorney handling estate planning, land use and environmental and business law, as a criminal defense attorney and as a pro-tem judge in a municipal court. “I think that awareness and that willingness to be an agent of change is the most important thing I can do as a judge.”. Nelson said he decided not to seek or accept endorsements or campaign contributions from elected public officials. Erb, who has worked as an attorney for more than 15 years, has experience as a specialty and tribal prosecutor, Indian Child Welfare attorney and currently works as a senior assistant attorney for the city of Bellingham. Whatcom Superior Court, Judge Position 2 (LWVBWC) Back. “We’re just talking about keeping the process fair for every minority group. Please look at our … “Courts are there to settle disputes so that people can get on with their lives, and if they settle them in a fair way, then they can get on with their lives,” Nelson said. A blind federal Social Security judge took the time to meet with Freeman, which had a lasting impact. Everybody that walks down the street, everybody that drives a car, everybody that comes out in public, I think we defend their right to be left alone by the government,” Nelson said. Snyder said voters should try hard to keep politics out of judicial races. He was appointed to the court on January 28, 2020, by Governor Jay Inslee to replace Raquel Montoya-Lewis and was sworn in on February 13, 2020. Public Utility … Federal Officials; State Officials; Local Officials; Helpful Websites: Elected Officials Voting Records; Get Involved. Evan Jones. Jones has his foundations in Bellingham and the Whatcom County area, and it’s that strong connection to the community, as well as his belief that he can be fair, that he says made him decide to run for a Superior Court judicial position. Washington State Supreme Court pos. The Superior Court Judges are elected to four-year terms and the Commissioners are appointed by the Judges. Whatcom County Superior Court Judge, Position 2. Both have decades of legal experience, and each claim to have the better experience. WHATCOM COUNTY BAR 2016 JOURNAL www.whatcombar.org NOVEMBER Top Stories! “You can’t have confidence in a judge if they say how they will rule on something during the campaign, because then you might feel like you won’t get a fair shake when you show up in front of them,” he said. 17 Jul 2020 . David Freeman is running to retain Whatcom Superior Court, Judge Position 4. Toll Free: (800) 419-2596 WHATCOM — David Freeman seeks to retain his position as a Whatcom County Superior Court judge. He said the voters are often left to evaluate the candidates based on their broad philosophies and legal backgrounds. Last updated on 08/20/2020 9:48 AM. Whatcom Superior Court - Judge Position 4 - County Results. Snyder also said that for many people, they likely won’t appear in a courtroom, perhaps except for a minor traffic ticket or divorce, and most people won’t be involved in lawsuits or litigation, so it’s difficult to evaluate candidates when they haven’t had that experience themselves. “These aren’t just political endorsements. As the August primaries draw near, press on the various campaigns increase. YAKIMA COUNTY -- The race for Yakima County Superior Court judge position 4 pits the judge of nearly 16 years, Judge Blaine Gibson, against trial defense attorney Scott Bruns. If you keep that process fair for people who are minorities, then the process becomes more fair for everyone as well, so it becomes a win-win situation. Judge David E. Freeman was appointed to Whatcom County Superior Court by Governor Jay Inslee. I have worked in the following positions: 1) Snohomish County Deputy Prosecutor; 2) Mount Vernon City Prosecutor; 3) Special Prosecutor for Skagit County Prosecutor’s Office; 4) Private practice attorney; 5) Contract attorney with Skagit County and the State of Washington to represent parents and children in dependency matters; and Freeman said he’s proud of the track record he’s created throughout his legal career, and said the endorsements he’s received reflect that record. Jones is rated as well-qualified by the Latina/o Bar Association of Washington and the Washington State Veterans Bar Association and is rated qualified by the LGBTQ+ Association of Washington (QLaw), the Joint Asian Judicial Evaluations Committee and the Whatcom County Bar Association. His mother, who has the same degenerative eye condition that Freeman does, went back to work to provide for the family. Former Whatcom County Superior Court Judge Kurtz Remembrances by Andy Peach 4 Re-Run of 2012 WCBJ Interview w/ J. Kurtz 5-7 Report on LAW Advocates’ Priorities to the Membership 9-10 Total Snyder said voters should examine who supports the candidates, what experience the candidates have in what areas of law and for how long, and what the people who know them are saying about them. There are additional ways you’ll be able to watch these events live and recorded. And I will work hard to make that clear and express that to everybody in the courtroom,” Jones said. David E. Freeman. He said it’s important to make the system less intimidating for those who aren’t actively involved in it. 4 ... Whatcom Superior Court should develop a case flow management plan to reduce time to disposition and shorten defendants’ length of stay (according to the Vera report, the Court has not ... As a sitting Superior Court Judge, I am regularly tasked with considering the imposition of Nelson has experience as a county and city prosecutor, in private practice handling criminal defense, personal injury, divorce and landlord/tenant cases, representing parents and children involved with Child Protective Services, and has most recently been working as a public defender in the Skagit County Public Defender’s Office. Here’s what they had to say. “I’m kind of an outsider, which I think is kind of a good thing.”. For Judge. Featuring candidates David Freeman, Carl Munson, and Jim Nelson. James Erb, Evan Jones, Lisa M. Keeler, David Freeman, Carl Munson Jr. and Jim Nelson are on the ballot. Freeman said he doesn’t need his eyesight to evaluate things such as credibility, and that he feels he’s a “very active listener” because he can’t rely on his eyesight. “The judge has the power to take away freedoms, the judge has the power to disperse your property, the judge has the power to … grant you a divorce, the judge has the power to hear condemnation hearings, code violations … Judges have a tremendous amount of power,” Nelson said. Certificate of Election issued to candidate after Filing Week. It was her strength and resilience that inspired Freeman, he said. Washington may find out, ‘A good personal friend’ Ivanka Trump won’t run against Rubio in 2022 election, How one group pushed young Latino voters to register: Letting them Google how to do it. We don’t have to pick sides,” Jones said. David Freeman is a judge for the Whatcom County Superior Court in Whatcom County, Washington. Whatcom County Superior Court Judge, Position #2 James Erb Whatcom County Superior Court Judge, Position #4 David Freeman Public Utility District 1(Whatcom County PUD) Commissioner, District 1 … What is your primary consideration for setting bail amounts? Jay Inslee. Robert E. Olson. Olson was appointed by Inslee in August 2018 to position 1 to replace the late Judge Ira J. Uhrig who died in May 2018. Whatcom Superior Court, Judge Position 4 (LWVBWC) When. Freeman said he approaches the job with dedication and patience. League of Women Voters Election Forum 2020: Whatcom Superior Court Judge Position 4 by Bellingham TV. Nelson said he believes there should be a distinct line between the attorneys, their clients and the judges and there should never be suspicion that the judge is working for one side or the other. Contribute. LWVWA Education Fund contributions are tax-deductible to the extent allowable by law. R.I.P. Snyder, who was on the bench for more than 29 years, said incumbent judges often run unopposed due to the expense and effort involved in running a judicial campaign.

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