Kudos to The Herald for the insightful Sept. 9 article titled “District Court judge’s methods draw criticism from lawyers.” I think a great many of us voters have a hard time when casting our votes for district court judges. Usually we just don’t know all that much about them and take our best guess when marking the ballot. The article carefully pointed out that 1,223 affidavits of prejudice had been filed against Evergreen District Judge Charles Meyer. Defense attorneys don’t care for the man because there is a “lack of predictability in the outcome of a case” before Judge Meyer and because he “often rejects plea bargains.” If I were a defense attorney, or a criminal, I too would find these as strong reasons to oppose Judge Meyer. As a law-abiding citizen and voter, I now find myself to be in strong support of Judge Meyer.
How many times have we all picked up the newspaper to read an article about a drunk driver involved in a heinous accident in which innocent drivers and their passengers have been either killed or seriously injured. On numerous occasions those news stories contain the blurb that the drunk driver had been previously arrested for DUI but had plea-bargained the charge down to negligent driving. It is my understanding that when these plea agreements take place it makes it much easier for the offender to avoid the prescribed treatment for substance abuse that would have taken place had the original charge been adhered to.
I for one don’t want to feel responsible for putting someone in the judge’s chair who will routinely (without taking the time to consider, as does Judge Meyer) rubber stamp plea agreements to give both the defense and the prosecution notches in their belts. Judge Meyer has my vote – I hope he’ll get yours, too.
Snohomish
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
