Executive's statement re: Judge Hecht

Monday Nov 02 2009 5:31 PM

Pierce County Executive Pat McCarthy issued the following statement regarding the resignation of Superior Court Judge Michael Hecht:

"I learned today that Michael Hecht has submitted his resignation as a Pierce County Superior Court judge as a result of his conviction for felony harassment and patronizing a prostitute, rendered by jury last week. The prosecution and conviction, as a practical matter, made it impossible for Mr. Hecht to effectively perform his duties as a Superior Court judge.

"The public rightly expects judges to possess the highest degree of trust and standards to make important decisions in our community. The Superior Court bench has been short one department for most of the year, which has contributed to the backlog of civil and criminal cases. I have been in touch with Gov. Chris Gregoire's office to urge her to fill the vacancy with one of Pierce County's hard-working attorneys as soon as reasonably possible."

Contact: Hunter George, Pierce County Communications director, 253-798-6606 or hgeorge@co.pierce.wa.us