Kitsap County District Court Judge Marilyn Paja has been elected president of the District and Municipal Court Judges’ Association (DMCJA), a statewide organization that represents the more than 200 judges of Washington’s district and municipal courts, called “courts of limited jurisdiction.” Created by state statute, the association provides its members with continuing judicial education, recommends changes to civil and criminal court rules, and promotes improvement in the administration of justice.

 

Judge Paja has served on the Kitsap County District Court bench since 1998.  Previously, she served as Gig Harbor Municipal Court judge from 1984 to 1998, served as Kitsap County Superior Court Commissioner in 1993, and currently serves occasionally as a Kitsap County Superior Court judge when special need arises.

 

“As president, I encourage all DMCJA members to participate as much as possible in the association, its critical work to represent the issues and needs of our courts, and to provide judges with important continuing education,” Paja said. “We solve many problems by working together with other dedicated judicial officers and with our partners in the state Legislature and local government.”

Judge Paja earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Willamette University and graduated from the University of  Puget Sound School of Law. She worked in private practice until joining the bench full time in 1998.

 

In addition to serving as DMCJA president, Judge Paja has served on numerous committees for the association, including committees focusing on rural courts, audit, diversity, rules, education, long-range planning and legislation. She served as vice president from 2006-2007, and president elect from 2007 to 2008. She also currently serves on the Supreme Court Pattern Jury Instructions Committee helping to draft and re-write jury instructions for use by courts statewide, and is on the Washington State Board for Judicial Administration (BJA).

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: Kitsap County District Court Judge Marilyn Paja, (360) 337-7033 or Ashley DeMoss, Administrative Office of the Courts, (360)705-5226.