I wanted to take a moment to introduce myself and give you my background. For the past twenty-three years I have worked for the City of Spokane. I have held positions as head of our Domestic Violence Unit, I was Chief Assistant City Prosecutor. And most recently I was Spokane’s City Attorney; supervising, twenty-three lawyers in the Prosecutor’s Office and City Legal. My office advised over thirty City departments, the Mayor and City Council. I was charged with developing policy in many areas including criminal justice and homelessness response. I worked closely with the Mayor, Council and SPD to further sound policies to enhance our constituents experience in the downtown core. We were required to bring suit against the State of Washington to close the largest homeless encampment in the area and I led the charge in this endeavor.
The City of Spokane operates Community Court through the Spokane Municipal Court. The objective is to positively affect those who are charged with minor criminal offenses in the downtown core. Community Court is designed to provide compassionate accountability and get defendants out of the cycle of crime. Community Court is failing, it is not holding defendants accountable and therefore they swirl in a continuing cycle of crime, drug use and homelessness. It is time for new leadership and accountability to the citizens it is designed to benefit. I will operate Community Court in a transparent manner and will publish the numbers of defendants engaged in the Court along with the effectiveness of the program. When the evidence shows recidivism rates are unacceptable, we will reassess our procedures and correct them to be more effective.
In 2011 I was asked to establish a Domestic Violence Unit in the Prosecutor’s Office. I worked with the Spokane Police Department to establish policies and procedures to hold offenders responsible and to give victims the support they needed. We reduced recidivism and gave victims a voice in the legal proceedings. I continue to be involved in the Spokane Domestic Violence Consortium where I hold a board seat.
In my extensive legal career, I have represented clients charged criminally. I have experience in civil matters, representing plaintiffs in employment matters, defendants in insurance matters and most recently I have represented the City of Spokane in all matters where the City is a party. I am proud of the work I have done on behalf of the citizens of Spokane and I would like to bring my knowledge and skill-set to the Spokane Municipal Court bench to further serve the citizens of Spokane.
I am also proud to let voters know that I have dedicated my time during the past twenty years to the youth of Spokane by coaching soccer. I have coached teams from six years old all the way up to high school aged. I view myself as a mentor to these youth and endeavor to teach them life lessons through the sport of soccer. I am grateful to Spokane Shadow for the opportunity to coach and grow over the years.
This opportunity to run for judge is culmination of over twenty years in the practice of law. I have learned much during that time and I want to use my skills to better serve our community from the Municipal Court bench.
I would greatly appreciate your vote in November!
Sincerely,
Lynden
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