Rep. Gloria Mendoza makes case for ninth Yakima County Superior Court judge as committee vote nears
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Rep. Gloria Mendoza makes case for ninth Yakima County Superior Court judge as committee vote nears
Rep. Gloria Mendoza, R-Grandview, testified Wednesday morning before the House Civil Rights and Judiciary Committee in support of House Bill 2412, legislation she sponsored to add a ninth judge to the Yakima County Superior Court in response to growing caseloads, mounting backlogs, and public safety concerns.
Yakima County has operated with eight Superior Court judges for nearly 30 years, despite steady population growth and a sharp increase in both the volume and complexity of cases. Mendoza told lawmakers the strain on the court system is now significant and measurable.
“Yakima County Superior Court has operated with eight judges for nearly 30 years,” Mendoza said. “During that time, our county has experienced steady population growth and a significant increase in both the volume and complexity of cases.”
Citing data from the Administrative Office of the Courts, Mendoza noted that Yakima County is among the fastest-growing counties in the state and that filings have risen sharply in recent years.
“Civil protection order filings have increased by more than 40% in just two years,” she said. “Guardianship, juvenile, criminal and civil matters are all demanding more judicial time due to changes in law and increased procedural requirements.”
The growing workload has led to a significant backlog in the court system.
“Today, nearly three-thousand cases in Yakima County Superior Court are older than two years, well beyond recommended time standards,” Mendoza said. “This backlog affects everyone. Victims wait longer for resolution. Families are left in limbo. Defendants face extended time in the system, sometimes even before guilt or innocence is determined.”
Mendoza also emphasized the public safety implications of court delays.
“Washington speedy trial requirements mean that when courts lack capacity, cases risk dismissal, not because they lack merit, but because the system cannot move quickly enough,” she said. “That undermines confidence in our justice system and can put communities at risk.”
The cost of adding a judge is estimated at approximately $220,000 per year, shared between the state and the county. Mendoza said local leaders support the proposal and have committed to covering the county’s portion of the cost.
Yakima County Commissioner LaDon Linde testified in support of the bill, describing the current situation as unsustainable.
“We’re building a dangerous backlog with over 2,800 cases now sitting in our system for more than two years,” Linde said. “This is not just a statistic. It’s delayed adoption for a child, a crime victim waiting for closure, small businesses stuck in limbo.”
Linde urged lawmakers to approve the additional judgeship, noting the county has budgeted for its share of the costs.
“Please authorize the 9th Superior Court Judge for Yakima County so that we can right-size our bench to meet our current needs,” he said.
Yakima County Superior Court Judge Kevin Naught also spoke, outlining the real-world impacts of limited judicial capacity.
“If you are involved in a family law case in Yakima County, such as a divorce, parenting plan or child support, and you are waiting for a judge to try your case, your trial will most probably be set in September,” Naught said. “These are families who will be waiting for eight to nine months just for the chance to see a judge at a trial.”
Judge Naught added that civil cases are frequently delayed because criminal cases must take priority under speedy trial requirements.
“In the first 11 months of 2025, 65 families got to the eve of their trial only to be turned away because we did not have enough judges to hear their matters,” he said.
Mendoza said the bill offers a targeted and responsible solution.
“Adding a ninth judge will improve access to justice, reduce backlogs, protect public safety, and ensure our courts can function as they are intended, fairly, efficiently and promptly,” she said.
The committee is scheduled to vote on HB 2412 on Friday, Jan. 30.
