Since joining the Snohomish County Superior Court bench in 2018, I have been determined to use my judicial position to make a difference in people’s lives, just as I did in my career as a Public Defender, where I gained a deep understanding of what inaccess to justice looks like in our communities.

Now as the Presiding Judge, responsible for all administrative duties of the court, and for ensuring access to the court for everyone, I am more determined than ever to use this position to make a difference in people’s lives.

Our courts are facing difficult and unprecedented challenges. The fentanyl crisis, an underfunded mental health system, outdated mandatory sentencing restrictions, and the crushing cost of civil litigation are all urgent problems. And now the unprecedented fall-out and backlog of cases from the COVID-19 crisis.

There is no magic bullet for any of these problems. But they all require thoughtful collaboration by judges and the many others who have a stake in the safety of Snohomish County communities. I am privileged to continue to lead the Court at this time and look forward to earning your vote again.

Judge Paul Thompson
Presiding Judge
Snohomish County Superior Court