Othello Municipal Court achieves first anniversary
Othello Municipal Court Clerk Administrator Jessica Melo, left, and Municipal Judge Carolyn J. Benzel, right, sit inside the Othello City Hall council chambers, which has doubled as the city’s courtroom since the court’s establishment at the beginning of 2023.
GABRIEL DAVIS/COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD
Othello Municipal Court Clerk Administrator Jessica Melo gives details on the process of setting up the court to the Othello City Council during a December 2022 meeting prior to the court’s official start Jan. 1, 2023.
Exterior of Othello City Hall, which houses city staff, the Othello Police Department and the Othello Municipal Court. Municipal Judge Carolyn J. Benzel said it was especially important to her that the municipal court be completely independent and impartial since it holds its proceedings in a building shared by other branches of local government.
OTHELLO — It’s been a bit more than a year since the city of Othello ended its interlocal agreement with Adams County for court services in favor of establishing its own Othello Municipal Court. Municipal Judge Carolyn J. Benzel said the court has since grown into a well-functioning system.
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