A primary expectation for an Appellate Court judge should be that he is honest. In running for election to the Court of Appeals, David Hulbert labels himself, “Retired Superior Court Judge.” Hulbert knows that “retired” has a certain implication of voluntariness to it. That implication is false and misleading.
David Hulbert did not retire. He was fired. He was defeated in an election, while seeking to retain his job. He lost soundly. Why? Well, the recent bar poll of lawyers in Snohomish County may tell you. Of 245 lawyers voting, 135 rated Hulbert to be a “poor” judge; more than any of the other candidates seeking the Court of Appeals.
Hulbert touts his experience as a judge. But those appearing before him for the years he was a trial judge know him best; more than 55 percent ranked him a “poor” judge.
I have been a lawyer in this community for 21 years, as a prosecutor predominately handling sexual assault, domestic violence and homicide cases. I appeared in front of Judge Hulbert many times. I should note that I won the cases I tried before him and there is not a single decision he made that stands out or was adverse to me in any significant way that causes me to write with any personal vendetta. I always fared well in his court.
But we need to be clear. And honest. David Hulbert didn’t “retire.” David Hulbert was fired. He lost his job because he was a bad judge. The lawyers who appeared before him know that. And calling himself “retired” means that in addition to being a bad judge, he’s not a very honest candidate either.
PAUL STERN
Everett
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