2006 Seattle Elections

General Elections Voters' Guide

Seattle Municipal Court Judge Position 7 - Fred Bonner

Fred Bonner - Nonpartisan

Presiding Judge Fred Bonner is seeking re-election to the judgeship of Seattle Municipal Court, Position No.7. Serving on the Municipal Court Bench since 1989, Judge Bonner is superbly prepared for this post.

Completing his second two-year term as Presiding Judge, Fred Bonner has earned the respect of prosecutor and defense attorneys who have rated him in the top 20% of sitting judges. Judge Bonner brings to the Bench judicial experience, decisiveness, dignity, integrity and vision. As Presiding Judge, he conscientiously works with elected officials, the City Attorney, Defense Bar, law enforcement, jail officials, business leaders, and various Municipal, District and Superior Court Judges and their staff, to improve the operating efficiency of the Seattle Municipal Court.

Building upon successful collaboration, Judge Bonner has given the community a voice in criminal justice policy, and has gained funding support for further development of thoughtful new approaches to criminal justice processes. Judge Bonner created the first Community Court in Washington State; implemented a Municipal Court Day Reporting Center to hold low level offenders accountable, while reducing unnecessary incarceration costs; established a Court Resource Center to help offenders fulfill their court obligations by addressing the underlying issues driving repeat criminal behavior (untreated alcohol and drug addiction, mental illnesses, unemployment, and poverty); and, partnering with the award winning Children’s Home Society of Washington, instituted the second court-based childcare in Washington State. These programs have proven to be more effective than traditional criminal justice processes in addressing the criminal behaviors and social service needs of “high system users” – offenders, who do not pose a public safety risk, yet repeatedly commit low-level offenses and use inordinate amounts of jail, hospital emergency room, sobering and detoxification center, and other social service resources.

As a South Seattle resident, Judge Bonner has first hand knowledge of the issues facing our community. His promise to the citizens of Seattle is to continue to diligently work to enhance your safety, security and well being.

Unopposed