Johnson talks candidacy in Moses Lake
Justice running for re-election
MOSES LAKE - Associate Chief Justice Charles W. Johnson visited Moses Lake to discuss his re-election bid for position four of the Washington State Supreme Court.
He visited the Columbia Basin Herald Tuesday morning.
Johnson served the Supreme Court for 18 years after being elected to the position in 1991.
He said the most important aspect voters must consider when voting is if a judge can be fair and impartial while hearing and considering cases.
"That's the touchstone of a good judge," Johnson said.
He spoke of ruling on several cases where he had to set his personal opinion aside to continue upholding the state Constitution.
Johnson said aside from his judicial duties and committees he works with, he does not engage in a lot of social activities.
"We are not only insulated, but we are isolated," he said. "And that's how it should be."
He said he prefers not to be affiliated with other groups at social events to prevent personal relationships from affecting his judicial duties.
Johnson said his favorite part of his career is educating youth about law at universities, high schools and grade schools.
He regularly awards scholarship money to students interested in pursuing law.
"I believe everyone should have that opportunity," Johnson said.
He said the hardest part about his duties is deciding death penalty cases.
"We do scrutinize these a little more," he said.
Johnson said there is always a considerably larger amount documents to review with death penalty cases. They are always more gruesome, requiring the justices to view autopsy photos and listen to arguments that do not have a time limit.
"You don't forget that stuff," he said. "I never forget the facts of those cases."
Johnson said there are factors that set him apart from his two opponents, C.F. (Frank) Vulliet and James M. Beecher. He said he has the experience of building trust among his colleagues and the public.
He said voters can review what groups endorse and support him over his challengers, such as the support of the Association of Washington Business and the Washington State Labor Council.
He said even though he makes decisions neither group agreed with sometimes, they understand he is fair and unbiased with the decisions he's made.
"That's probably the highest compliment that a judge could attain," Johnson said.
When asked what he can do to help get the public more engaged in the judicial election, he said it's his job and the job of his opponents to make the election visible to voters.
"It's a position that belongs to the people," he said. "I've worked hard to do the best (I can). When I leave office, I want to be able to look back and take some pride not only in the decisions I've made, but in the influence I've had on society."
Johnson discussed his reasons for deciding on gay marriage in Washington state and his opinion of the recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling on the second amendment.
He said voted to uphold the statute banning gay marriage, when the court ruled 5-4 last year.
Johnson said it was a tough case to decide because it was emotional for the people involved and had an affect on their personal lives. He said he was unable to find support for the argument to allow gay marriage in the Constitution, therefore he could not rule in favor of it. He said it's a matter of historical law.
In Washington D.C., the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 5-4 to remove overall bans on firearms, stipulating Americans have a right to own firearms.
Johnson said he was surprised by the ruling and that the state constitution is clear on the right of the citizen to own a gun.
When making decisions, he said he tries to stick to the general rule stated in the constitution and rarely uses exceptions. He said his job is to interpret how the Constitution is supposed to be intended and to make decisions that are reasonable for people to live with.
More information about Johnson and his opponents is being published in the state Voters' Pamphlet due to be mailed to homes before the primary election Aug. 19.