Liner notes from the Supremes on muni court race

The state Supreme Court’s ruling that district court judges had the right to hear City of Spokane cases is a big relief for the folks at City Hall. But it has a little boost for one of the municipal court judges face election this November, also.

Judge Tracy Staab has drawn criticism from some quarters for not being a city resident. That’s didn’t faze the mayor or the City Council when she was appointed, but it recently drew crticism from the Spokane County Republican Party.

High court ruling reiterates the legislative standard that a judge doesn’t have to be from the city limits, but only city voters get to elect them:

“From its inception, the statutory scheme governing municipal departments provided specific procedures by which they could be staffed with judges … The statute did not limit who was eligible to be appointed or elected, but only city voters could vote for municipal judges.”