Dear Seattle voters,

It has been my privilege to serve as your Seattle Municipal Court Judge since 2004, and presiding judge since 2008.

Independent and uncompromised

The role of a judge is to serve the public and make informed, thoughtful decisions, free from outside interests. An independent judiciary is one of the key rights afforded citizens. I am dedicated to the principle of open access to justice for all. That means ensuring everyone who appears before the court is treated with respect and receives a full and fair hearing. The Municipal Court is the “people’s court,” where average people are most likely to encounter the justice system. I consider that every time I enter the courtroom.

Service to our community, commitment to justice

I have built my career around a commitment to serving our community. The courtroom is not simply divided into victims and accused persons. It takes a compassionate mind and legal experience to find the best resolution. Before serving as judge, I led the Seattle Human Services Coalition, where I worked to improve services to Seattle’s most vulnerable residents and strengthen collaboration among human service providers. As a federal prosecutor, I prosecuted cases against criminals who stole from working people. I also served as deputy legal counsel to Mayor Nickels, advising on public safety and human service issues. I am Vice-Chair of the King County Regional Law Safety and Justice Committee, a coalition of judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, human service professionals, law enforcement and local government working together to solve problems facing our communities. As a Municipal Court Judge, I have presided over thousands of criminal and civil cases.

Experience as a reformer

A commitment to justice means making the courts work for people. Our court is nationally recognized and I am proud to have helped shape our system. I am a reformer implementing alternatives to incarceration, saving jail costs and allowing offenders to give back to affected communities. In these tough fiscal times, I have worked to make our courts more accountable, implementing reforms that increased efficiencies and lowered costs without compromising justice. I’ve twice been awarded Vice-President Al Gore’s National Partnership for Reinventing Government for increasing government responsiveness and efficiency.

I would appreciate your support this November.

- Judge Edsonya Charles

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