News - Local News

POSTED: Tuesday, Jul. 22, 2008

Two vie for Superior Court judge seat

Attorney Douglas Shepherd is running against incumbent Charles Snyder for the position of Whatcom County Superior Court Judge, Department 3. The election will be decided in the Aug. 19 primary, not the November general election.

TERM

Four-year term starting January 2009.

SALARY

$148,832 annually with 50 percent paid by Whatcom County. The state pays the remaining 50 percent and all benefits.

THE CANDIDATES

Charles "Chuck" Snyder

Snyder presides over Whatcom County's Drug Court and Teen Court programs in addition to his duties as Superior Court judge. He said one particularly difficult case he presided over was Faust v. Kincaid, in which the Bellingham Moose Lodge was accused of over serving a man who then crashed his car, paralyzing a 7-year-old boy.

"It was a highly charged and heavily litigated case," Snyder said. "Despite the potential for fireworks, the case went smoothly."

Snyder has been evaluated by the Whatcom County Chapter of Washington Women Lawyers as well-qualified for the position of Superior Court judge.

Douglas "Doug" Shepherd

Shepherd is foremost a commercial obligation and personal injury lawyer; he has tried criminal cases in the past. One of Shepherd's most memorable cases involved the Newstand. He was one of eight attorneys defending the business' right to sell controversial publications, which Whatcom County Prosecuting Attorney Dave McEachran had ordered off the shelves. The Newstand won.

"It was my favorite case of all time," Shepherd said. "It was one of the highlights of my career."

He has been evaluated by the Whatcom County Chapter of Washington Women Lawyers as well-qualified for the position of Superior Court judge.

EDUCATION

Snyder:

Bachelor of Science, University of Colorado, 1979.

Law Degree, University of Idaho, 1979.

Shepherd:

Bachelor of Arts, Rocky Mountain College, 1968.

Law Degree, Seattle University School of Law, 1976.

EXPERIENCE

Snyder:

Whatcom County Superior Court presiding judge, 2004-present.

Whatcom County Court Commissioner, 1989-2004.

Shepherd:

Private attorney, 1979-present.

Everson City Attorney, 1980-1989.

Everson-Nooksack Municipal Court City Prosecutor, 1980-1989.

U.S. Navy, 1969-1973. Flew 149 combat missions with Attack Squadron 196.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Snyder:

Creator and judge, Whatcom County Teen Court.

Adviser, YMCA mock trial competition, 2002-present.

Judge, Whatcom County Drug Court.

Vice-chair, Legislative Committee, Superior Court Judges Association.

Member, Juvenile Law Committee Legislative Subcommittee.

Assistant dean, Washington State Judicial College.

Chairman, Domestic Violence/Child Protective Services Protocol Committee.

Member, Planning Committee for Whatcom County Juvenile Court Offender Drug Court and Family Treatment Court.

Shepherd:

President, Whatcom County Bar Association.

Member, Whatcom County Law Advocates.

Adviser, Lynden High School mock trial team.

President, Everson Chamber of Commerce.

Two two-year terms, Washington State Trial Lawyers Association Board of Directors.

ON THE ROLE OF A JUDGE

Snyder:

"A good judge is going to be always prepared and is going to make sure that every party has a fair opportunity to be heard," Snyder said. "A good judge will make decisions upon only the material that's presented to them in court, and will always utilize procedural requirements to make sure everyone gets a fair shake and not to prevent somebody from being heard."

Shepherd:

"I look for a judge who respects and values the people in front of them, who listens and hears what's said, and who works hard to do the right thing the first time around," Shepherd said. "It's important that the person who loses believes they were heard, and understands why the decision went against them."

ON FUNDING

Snyder:

"The court has an obligation to make sure that the legislative branch and executive branch provide adequate funding so the courts can do their job," Snyder said. "It's important that we actively make requests and justify our requests so the courts can be properly funded."

Shepherd:

"Funding should start with the people," Shepherd said. "The public should tell us how much they want to spend on the Superior Court, not us. Most of my time should be spent in the courtroom."