Randall K. Gaylord

1. Education and background: I was born fourth in a family of 10 children. My dad was an apple grower, and my mom ran the house, the school board and later became a minister.

1. Education and background: I was born fourth in a family of 10 children. My dad was an apple grower, and my mom ran the house, the school board and later became a minister.

I married Marny, a public school teacher, 27 years ago. Together we raised two children who are now in college. I run long distances for fun, and I am committed to community service.

I attended Colgate; graduated from Utah State (BS in Environmental Studies and Economics) and University of Utah Law School; served as law clerk to Utah Supreme Court Justice Christine Durham; and practiced law with private firms in Spokane and Eastsound for nine years.

I have been a lawyer for 23 years; elected San Juan County prosecutor four times; often teach ethics to other lawyers; elected president of statewide prosecutors’ association (2007); and am rated exceptionally well qualified by Washington Women Lawyers and three other attorney groups.

2. Should San Juan join a growing number of Washington counties relying on a .01 percent tax on retail sales to help finance or expand local mental health services? Please explain.  

Yes. I support improving mental health and alcohol and drug services in our county. Our current mental health system reacts when a person is in crisis instead of searching for ways of keeping the community healthy. Treating mental health and substance abuse will reduce crime and the need for new jails and prisons.

Mental health and drug and alcohol problems can lead to serious crimes, tear families apart, and hurt children. Many of these people will end up in court, and as judge I want to ensure that people are safe and that services are provided in conjunction with any punishment.

The county that collects this sales tax must have a court docket for hearing cases involving child abuse and neglect due to mental health or substance abuse. I will ensure that our court has such a docket.

I recognize the need to be cautious about spending, so I invite the public to participate with the Task Force that will determine the services that will best fit our county.

3. How do the managerial skills of a judge affect the operations of a court? 

As county prosecutor, I have managed the largest office in the county for the past 14 years — experience that translates directly to the managerial requirements of the judge position.

Justice delayed is justice denied. A judge must be prompt in making decisions. The effective judge is an inquisitive decision-maker who also directs the clerk, bailiff, parties, attorneys and jurors. Tensions can often run high in the courtroom — the judge must be a leader who sets out clearly what he expects, and then remains flexible enough to provide a firm, friendly, and comfortable decorum.

Above all, a judge must ensure that people feel safe in the courtroom and that people have had their say while cases move along appropriately.

Off the bench, the judge will budget for the Superior Court, advocate for court improvements, and seek out grants. As I have done as county prosecutor, I will seek out leadership roles in statewide associations, teach others, and bring to the court the best ideas of my peers.

4. What changes, if any, would you like to see in the way Superior Court and Juvenile Court are administered? 

At least twice a year, the court should convene on Lopez and Orcas islands. If the Supreme Court can travel from Olympia several times a year, then our Superior Court could easily meet on another island. Any inconvenience to court staff will be more than made up by the knowledge and insight into the court that citizens will gain.

Due to safety concerns, these hearings would involve motions or arguments, not jury trials or criminal proceedings.

In Juvenile Court, truancy proceedings from Lopez and Orcas are rarely heard due to the inconvenience for school officials and students. Video-conferencing will enable students and school officials to appear via a school conference room.

5. Which U.S. Supreme Court justice most closely reflects your view of how local, state or federal law should be interpreted, and why? 

The first woman justice, Sandra Day O’Connor, most closely reflects my view of the relationship between state and federal governments. Justice O’Connor was a moderate who adhered to the rule of law to ensure that social change comes from the legislature, not from the courts.

I admire O’Connor’s commitment to a careful analysis of facts and law over any particular ideology. Justice O’Connor showed great courage and independence when she departed with the conservative members of the court on abortion rights, partisan gerrymandering, and the role of judge and jury in criminal sentencing.

6. What are the local court system’s most pressing challenges?  

A court system must be fair and appear fair. This requires every judge to identify conflicts of interest and disqualify themselves from such cases. In a small rural county, this presents a special challenge. A system of judge trades can be worked out with judges in nearby counties who will sit on San Juan County cases when necessary.

Another challenge for a judge is to provide leadership in a small community while remaining impartial. There may be a perception that a judge’s collegiality off the bench translates to biased decisions on the bench. But decisions should be based upon the facts and the law, not friendships. This is a challenge I have faced and successfully resolved many times during my 14 years as county prosecutor.

Many people need a lawyer but can’t afford one. The judge needs to be a leader in ensuring there is access to justice for all.

7. What are the top two skills or personal attributes that make you the best candidate for the job? 

Experience and integrity. These traits define the values I bring to the bench and make me the best candidate.

Experience covers all life experience, not just time in the courtroom. Anyone who has watched judges knows they don’t check their values at the door. My experience in private practice and as public prosecutor matches well with the felony, juvenile, property disputes, land use and divorce cases that come to the court. I have a proven record of being inquisitive, eager to learn, compassionate, creative, and having a sense of humor. My experience shows I apply common sense to difficult circumstances and that I remain calm when facing tense situations.

Integrity means more than simply being honest and truthful. As county prosecutor, I have made many tough decisions for the protection of the community that have stood the test of time.