State selects interim judge

Following the death of Adams County Judge Brian Miller, an interim judge has been selected to fill the bench until the governor can appoint a new judge. A county superior court judge position is a state office and not a county office, and as such, the appointment of a new judge has to be completed by Governor Jay Inslee.

In a letter sent to the Superior Court office, Chief Justice Barbara A. Madsen announced the authorizing of Lincoln County Superior Court Judge John Strohmaier to serve in the interim superior court position for Adams County.

“I am writing to confirm our understanding about plans to ensure that the judicial needs for Adams County are met while we await the governor’s appointment of a new judge,” Madsen wrote. “When I meet with Governor Inslee later this month, please be assured that I will encourage him to move quickly to appoint a successor for Judge Miller.”

When Judge Miller had been unable to take the bench in the previous months due to illness, visiting judges took his place in the courtroom. Among the visiting judges who have served on the bench in the recent months are Judge Strohmaier and elected Judge Pro Tem Adalia Hille.

Madsen stated Judge Strohmaier is allowed to continue “to call upon visiting judges and use other judicial resources such as the court’s commissioner” as well as Hille. Judge Strohmaier is in charge of supervising the business of the court, assignment of judicial officers and administrative matters, Madsen wrote.

Judge Strohmaier officially received the interim designation from Chief Justice Madsen on Wednesday, Oct. 8. He serves in the temporary position until the governor officially announces the appointment of a superior court judge for the county.