City of Bothell, WA - Municipal Court Judge
City of Bothell, WA - Municipal Court Judge
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$ 192081 - 209931
1 Vacancy
Job Description
The City of Bothell Washington is initiating a regular four-year selection process for the position of Municipal Court Judge as the current term concludes on December 31 2025. This processopen to all qualified candidatesprovides an important opportunity for Court stakeholders community members and City leadership to reflect on the future of the Court. The Municipal Court is an independent branch of the City government and a vital part of our communitys justice system. The Judge presides over a broad range of legal proceedings ensuring fair impartial and effective administration of justice. The City seeks to uphold the highest standards of judicial excellence maintain public trust and preserve the integrity of the Court.
The Municipal Court Judge oversees and adjudicates a diverse docket of cases including criminal misdemeanors gross misdemeanors infractions and civil protection orders in accordance with Washington State law. The Judge directs and controls Court proceedings including presiding over and adjudicating bench and jury trials pretrial arraignments post-conviction reviews bail hearings sentencing mitigation and contested infraction hearings. They impose just and appropriate sentences utilizing remedial and community service programs and other alternative sentencing programs as appropriate. Beyond the bench the Municipal Court Judge provides crucial leadership and guidance actively managing the Courts operations and overseeing all assigned employees including the Court Administrator.
This position extends beyond the daily courtroom functions requiring a leader who is also an effective administrator and community representative. The Judge is responsible for leading the management of the Courts business providing an annual report on the Courts activities to the City Manager and City Council and convening meetings with Court officers to ensure efficient operations. The Judge also serves as a visible representative of the City speaking to community groups and presiding at ceremonial functions as requested. The role requires a commitment to collaboration and strong interpersonal skills.
The Priorities
- Establish and maintain effective relationships with Court staff. Serve as a thought partner and proactively collaborate with the Court Administrator to ensure the Court remains an effective problem-solving Court with a dedication to customer service.
- Identify opportunities for efficiency in Court operations. Streamline processes integrate smart technologies and reduce unnecessary case volume ensuring justice is delivered fairly consistently and in a way that respects the time and resources of everyone involved.
- Actively embrace and look to evolve the Community Court program. Collaborate with external partners and connect participants with social service providers to reduce future criminal offenses and link individuals to resources in the community.
- Partner with City leaders to shape policies for emerging technologies such as school zone speed enforcement and support the use of technologies under consideration by the City including Police body-worn cameras (BWCs) and automated enforcement tools (e.g. red light and other ALPR systems) to improve efficiency streamline processes and maintain levels of service to the Bothell community.
- Consistently and strategically work together with other branches of local government. Develop a collaborative relationship with the City Manager and actively support and align with achieving the City Councils 2040 Vision and Strategic Priorities.
- Adopt and apply the appropriate performance measures and metrics including the National Center for State Courts (NCSC) performance measures) to evolve performance goals and document success in key areas of Court administration while continuing to ensure accessibility fairness and a positive experience for all Court users.
- Seek opportunities to connect with the Bothell community to build trust and understand local needs to ensure the Court reflects the communitys values.
The Successful Candidate
The Municipal Court Judge is excited by the opportunity to set the standards for judicial conduct and decision-making in the Bothell Municipal Court. With an inclusive and approachable style the Judge develops positive relationships establishes a high level of trust and actively collaborates with others to achieve the Courts objectives. The successful candidate demonstrates a curiosity for the broader context of City operations and embraces the opportunity to engage with other branches of City government including the City Manager and City Council. Importantly they serve as a natural partner to the Court Administrator working effectively to drive positive change in collaboration with Court staff.
Grounded in reality and guided by kindness the Municipal Court Judge maintains control of the courtroom with patience decisiveness and an unwavering commitment to fairness. They combine judicial knowledge people skills and effective communication to run the Court efficiently ensuring proceedings are timely well-prepared and accessible to all. The successful candidate creates a positive Court environment by treating everyone equally mentoring younger attorneys with respect and demonstrating sensitivity to the needs and circumstances of those appearing before the Court. Adaptable to change the Judge seeks opportunities to improve processes leverage staff expertise and use resources wisely. Above all they protect the integrity of the Court lead with compassion and strive to evolve both the Court and community in ways that strengthen trust justice and the Citys long-term vision.
The Municipal Court Judge believes in a fair and effective justice system. The Judge is actively invested in the success of the City the Court and the community. The successful candidate has a passion for developing positive community relations along with the ability to build strong yet independent working relationships with a wide variety of legal nonprofit and social service partners. The Judge is an effective communicator and active listener who values honesty and integrity and believes in cultivating objectivity and independence to ensure against any perception of bias. The Municipal Court Judge supports restorative approaches and collaborates to advance the justice system in new positive directions that ultimately contribute to building Bothells beloved community and ensuring a joyful and healthy way of life.
Qualifications
A minimum of a Juris Doctorate (JD) degree with five years of broad legal background with an emphasis on criminal law is required. Preferably five years of experience in the public sector within criminal courts of limited jurisdiction as a Judge or a Prosecuting and/or Defense Attorney. Knowledge of Washington Court rules a strong understanding of legal precedents and an ability to apply these principles with tact and impartiality are ideal. A proven record of leadership in a professional setting is essential. The ability to work all hours as needed up to 34 hours per week is necessary.
Residency in King or Snohomish County is required. A license in good standing to practice law in the State of Washington or the ability to qualify for Admission on Motion in Washington is required. The ability to remain active with all Washington Bar annual requirements is essential. An equivalent combination of education training and experience will be considered.
Inside Bothell City Hall
The City of Bothell combines the strong managerial experience of an appointed City Manager with the strong political leadership of elected officials as a non-charter optional code City operating under the Council-Manager form of government. The seven members of the City Council are elected at large on a nonpartisan basis to four-year terms. The Council elects the Mayor and Deputy Mayor from within its ranks and works with the City Manager to implement their policies and established goals.
City services are provided through nine departments: Community Development Employee and Technology Services Executive Finance Fire Legal Parks and Recreation Police and Public Works. The Citys Water Sewer and Stormwater Utilities are managed through Public Works. Several of the larger departments also have functional divisions within their department. The Bothell Municipal Court partners with the City in enhancing the quality of life and safety of our community. Bothell employs approximately 392 full-time staff and has a 2025-26 biennial budget of $386.8 million that reflects the City Council Vision and Strategic Priorities.
- Connecting Neighborhoods for One City
- Economic Vitality
- A Community of Trust and Respect
- A Joyful and Healthy Way of Life
- Building Bothells Beloved Community
- Environmental Stewardship
- Moving in and Around Bothell
Bothell Municipal Court
The Bothell Municipal Court is dedicated to ensuring the fair administration of justice within our community. The Court handles a variety of cases including traffic violations misdemeanor and gross misdemeanors and local ordinance violations. The Court is also proud to support therapeutic Court programming probation-related classroom-style courses jail-alternative options community restoration services and youth outreach. The Court does not process felony matters.
Bothells Court is committed to providing a transparent efficient and respectful judicial experience for all. We prioritize accessibility for Court participants alleged victims attorneys jurors third parties and the public. Our team of skilled Court professionals works diligently to provide excellent customer service manage cases with integrity and impartiality and ensure processes and proceedings are clear and understandable for all. With a 2025-26 biennial budget of $2.9 million the Municipal Courts dedicated team is comprised of one Presiding Judge one Court Administrator one Court Coordinator one Community Court Coordinator two Probation Officers two Senior Judicial Specialists one Community Court Specialist and one Judicial Specialist.
The core philosophy of the Court is to keep the community safe while holding individuals accountable for their actions. This approach focuses on building and maintaining excellent working relationships with various work groups within the City of Bothell recognizing the vital partnerships required among the judiciary legislative and executive branches of government. Strong communication with internal services such as Information Technology Human Resources and Finance as well as justice partners like Prosecution Public Defense and Police is essential to the Courts success. The Court also partners with the Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DiveIn) committee to ensure that access and fairness are prioritized in Court leadership decisions.
The Bothell Community
For a day or a lifetime no matter who you are or where youve come from Bothell is everyones hometown the Council Vision opening describes this community quite well. Like many cities in the region Bothell Washington is growing and changing but somehow persists as a close-knit caring community with heart quiet charm and urban amenities. Bothell offers a sense of community and place with quiet family neighborhoods new housing in and near bustling urban centers coffee houses and award-winning restaurants beautiful parks the famous paved Burke-Gilman/Sammamish River Trail and so much more. Bothell warmly welcomes new neighbors and cultures while still respecting its indigenous history and unique hometown traditions that residents and businesses alike love.
Located on the shores of the Sammamish River downtown is the hub of the City with popular parks open green spaces and multiple play areas for children. Visitors and residents enjoy pedestrian-friendly shopping on the beautiful new Main Street and the newly designed Boulevard satisfying their appetites at friendly cafes ethnic restaurants and craft brewpubs. Downtown events such as the Fourth of July parades holiday tree lightings art walks multi-cultural festivals Main Street trick-or-treating wine walks and beer festivals and other family-friendly activities bring people together.
The City of Bothells emphasis on rebuilding the historic downtown district and addition of new residential units has investors and developers anxious to grow businesses. Perfectly positioned near the employment and economic centers of Seattle Bellevue Redmond Kirkland and Everett Bothell is home to innovative technology companies and an attractive location for advanced biotechnology firms wireless communications medical device manufacturing and medical research.
In addition to being a desirable place to live and work with an excellent quality of life students of all ages can access a variety of educational opportunities. Bothell is served by the Northshore School District one of the top school districts in the state. The City is also home to the University of Washington Bothell which was recently ranked number one in the state for value and quality by Money Magazine. The University of Washington Bothell shares its campus with Cascadia College the newest community college in the state. Cascadia has quickly built a national reputation for its high transfer rate and innovative approach to student-centered learning. Students and community members enjoy the Bothell Crowswhen 15000 crows descend on the campus nightly to roost. The event has become a big attraction for bird watchers animal lovers and just plain curious folks.
Compensation and Benefits
The salary range for the Municipal Court Judge is $192081 $209931 and will depend on the qualifications of the successful candidate. The City provides an excellent benefits package and interested candidates can learn more here.
How to Apply
We believe to deliver the highest level of service to all Bothell community members it is crucial we employ a diverse workforce support an inclusive working environment and ensure our policies and systems result in equitable outcomes. We are committed to maximizing the value of our employees and foster a culture of continuous improvement wellness and inclusion.
Applications will be accepted electronically by Raftelis. Applicants complete a brief online form and are prompted to provide a cover letter and resume. The position is open until filled with first review of applications on Monday September 22 2025.
Questions
For more information or questions regarding the City of Bothell or the Municipal Court Judge position please contact Heather Gantz at or .
Employment Type
Full Time
