Franklin County District Court Judge
Michael Nguyen
Legal/Judicial Experience
Public Defense Attorney for five years working in Benton and Franklin County Superior, District, and Juvenile courts, and Pasco Municipal Court. Franklin County Preliminary Appearance Attorney for five years making hundreds of bail arguments and handling thousands of first appearances.
Other Professional Experience
World Relief Legal Services (2017); Police Cadet Intern, WSU Police Department (2014-2015); Surveillance Intern, WSU Department of Criminal Justice (2013).
Education
Tri-Cities Prep (2007-2009, 2010-2011); Chiawana (2009-2010); CBC (2009-2010, 2012-2013); WSU (2013-2015), Criminal Justice & Political Science, Magna Cum Laude_;_ Georgia State University School of Law, J.D (2015-2018).
**Community Service
**Pro Bono Recognition Program (2017-2018); 380+ hours of volunteer legal services.
**Statement
**My experience serving as a public defense attorney in Franklin County for the past five years uniquely qualifies me to be your next District Court Judge. Every day, I work closely with prosecuting attorneys, court staff, current elected judges, the Office of Public Defense, jail staff, and defendants. My close working relationship with each facet of the Franklin County criminal justice system provides me with an innate ability to hear criticism from each perspective and make appropriate changes when necessary.
I believe the Court should work for the community. As District Court judge, I will appropriately weigh outcomes for victims and defendants; manage the court as a neutral officiant of the law rather than imposing my beliefs from the bench; prioritize judicial efficiency by ensuring the Court respects jail staff and attorneys’ time; focus on rehabilitation by actively participating in therapeutic courts; respect defendants’ dignity while requiring accountability for offenses; and impose cost parity with courts such as Benton County and Pasco Municipal.
It is an honor to run for District Court judge and to have the opportunity to give back to the community that raised me.
To learn more, please visit www.nguyenforjudge.com.
Trinity Orosco
Legal/Judicial Experience
Presiding Franklin County District Court Judge; Judge Pro Tempore Benton County District and Pasco Municipal Court; Defense attorney 14-years Franklin-Benton Superior and District Courts, and Cities of Pasco, Prosser, Toppenish and Sunnyside
Other Professional Experience
District and Municipal Court Judges Association Education Committee and Therapeutic Court Committee; Legal Intern, Fluor Hanford; Gonzaga Law School - Legal Assistance Clinic; Paralegal
Education
Gonzaga University School of Law, J.D. 2008; Washington State University, 2005 Cum Laude; Columbia Basin College, Kennewick High School
Community Service
Grace Kitchen; Liberty Christian School; Second Harvest; YMCA Youth and Government Mock Trial Rater; WWKD; Benton-Franklin Legal Aid Volunteer; Elijah Family Homes Board of Directors
Statement
I am honored to serve the people of Franklin County as your District Court Judge. I believe every person who comes before the court deserves patience, respect, and a fair hearing free from bias or personal agendas. Justice requires accountability and respect.
In my first term, I created a thriving Therapeutic Court program. This program relieves burdens on law enforcement and taxpayers while holding participants accountable and providing opportunities to improve their lives. My next goal is to create a Veteran’s Therapeutic Court track in coordination with the Veteran’s Center.
In three years, I have brought more than one million dollars back to Franklin County through state funding requests and grants. This funding supports courthouse security, therapeutic court programs, and training opportunities for court staff and law enforcement. I have prioritized community outreach through partnerships with local schools and educational court programs.
My husband and I raised our three children in Franklin County, and we are deeply committed to this community. I am proud to have the support of community leaders, law enforcement, attorneys and judges. I would be honored to continue serving the people of Franklin County as your District Court Judge. To learn more, please visit www.TrinityForJudge.com.
Community Engagement
Community Engagement
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Written endorsements
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Endorsements
Benton County District Court Judge Daniel KathrenBenton County District Court Judge Jennifer AzureBenton County District Court Judge John ZiobroBenton-Franklin Superior Court Judge Joseph BurrowesBenton-Franklin Superior Court Judge Jacqueline StamBenton-Franklin Superior Court Judge Norma RodriguezBenton-Franklin Superior Court Judge Jacqueline Shea-BrownBenton-Franklin Superior Court Judge Bronson BrownBenton-Franklin Superior Court Judge Andrew HowellSkagit County District Court Judge Jenifer HowsonBenton County District Court Judge Jim BellBenton-Franklin Superior Court Judge David PetersenWashington State 8th District Senator Matt BoehnkeWashington State 15th District Senator Nikki TorresApril Connors of the Washington House of Representatives 8th Legislative DistrictWashington State House of Representatives 8th District Representative Stephanie BarnardMark Klicker of the 16th District Washington House of RepresentativesFranklin County Court Clerk Michael KillianFranklin County Sheriff Jim RaymondOkanogan County Prosecuting Attorney Albert LinPasco School Board member Amanda BrownJudge Brian GwinnJudge John HartJudge Allen BlackmonJudge Charles ShortJudge Aryn MastersJudge Andrew BivianoJudge Jennifer FassbenderJudge Michelle GehlsenJudge Matthew YorkJudge Mindy WalkerJudge Brian SandersonJudge Sam MeyerJudge Brian ToddJudge Megan ValentineMunicipal Court Judge Fred GillingsMunicipal Court Judge Thomas AlpaughMunicipal Court Judge Tom EllingtonMunicipal Court Judge Stephen GreerMunicipal Court Judge Dee SonntagMunicipal Court Judge Kevin RingusMunicipal Court Judge Andrew BeallMunicipal Court Judge Wendy WinfieldRetired Benton-Franklin Superior Court Judge Carrie RungeRetired Benton County District Court Judge Katy ButlerRetired Benton-Franklin Superior Court Judge Diana RuffRetired Benton-Franklin Superior Court Judge Bruce SpannerRetired Benton-Franklin Superior Court Judge Dennis YuleRetired Franklin County District Court Judge Gerald (Jerry) RoachRetired Benton-Franklin Superior Court Judge Craig MathesonRetired Benton County Prosecutor Andy MillerRetired Franklin County Coroner Dan BlasdelRetired District Court Judge Vance PetersonRetired District Court Judge Jeffrey JahnsFranklin County DemocratsFranklin County Republican Central Committee (recommended)Mainstream Republicans of Washington StateTeamsters Local 839Johnson & Johnson Law FirmRoach & Bishop LawBenton County District Court Commissioner Jennifer JohnsonAdministrative Law Judge Mary PolandBenton-Franklin Superior Court Commissioner Arthur KlymBenton-Franklin Superior Court Commissioner Darin CampbellBenton-Franklin Superior Court Commissioner Megan WhitmireBenton-Franklin Superior Court Commissioner Quinn BellBenton-Franklin Superior Court Commissioner Brandon HoltBenton County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Ben RileyVeteran and Attorney Angel BetancourtChief Criminal Deputy Prosecutor Teddy ChowJessica Rodriguez of Rodriguez Law PLLCMitchell Crook of Johnson & Orr Law FirmScott Johnson of Johnson & Orr Law FirmAttorney Katie Claghorn ChristophersonMason Pickett of Defoe Pickett Law OfficeParalegal Mary Anne KrolDennis Hanson of Quantum LegalAttorney Tim DickersonAttorney Angel BaseBenton County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Elisa RileyAttorney Dawn HickmanRandy Jameson of Armstrong & Jameson P.S.Natalie AbkenFranklin County Sheriff's Office Detective Andrew GardnerFranklin County Sheriff's Office Detective Michael SchwalbachMonty Huber of Franklin County Sheriff's OfficeFranklin County Sheriff's Office Deputy Travis RogersFranklin County Patrol Sergeant Luke BoneckRetired Pasco Police Detective Sergeant Jamie RaebelAir Force Veteran and Retired Detective Sergeant Chris LittrellDetective Julie LeeSuperior Court Bailiff Dave KraalJennifer Collins of Pasco School DistrictDonelle Dorsett of Richland School DistrictOT/PT Para Educator Lisa HebertThomas Crosier of Mid-Columbia ValuationRetired Energy Northwest General Counsel Al MouncerUBS Financial Services Inc Vice-President of Investments Shawn MeneelyReal Estate Agent Erin HennMelissa St. GeorgeEllen Kathren of Lourdes Counseling CenterMelody McLeodLacey Blackman of Blackman & Associates and eXp RealtyDr. James Hansen of Hansen Family DentalBrett Garland of Garland's GymnasticsR. Shawn Flinders of Evergreen Home LoansRobin Zimmerman
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