Yakima County to Add Ninth Superior Court Judge to Reduce Case Backlog

Yakima County’s judicial system is set to expand with the addition of a ninth Superior Court judge, a move aimed at tackling mounting case backlogs and improving access to justice.

THE LAW CALLS FOR JUDGES IN YAKIMA AND SKAGIT COUNTIES

The legislation, Senate Bill 5868, received the final approval when Gov. Bob Ferguson signed it into law last week. The bill authorizes one new Superior Court judge for Yakima County, as well as for Skagit County, and was passed during the recently concluded 2026 legislative session. The legislation is scheduled to take effect on June 11.

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ACCESS TO JUSTICE IS A PROBLEM NOW

Rep. Gloria Mendoza, R-Grandview, who led the effort for the bill in the House, says "this is an important step forward for Yakima County and the people who depend on timely access to justice.” She says families and victims navigating the court system shouldn't have to wait months or even years for their cases to be resolved.
Yakima County has operated with eight Superior Court judges since 1998, despite seeing steady population growth and a sharp increase in both the volume and complexity of cases.

FAST GROWTH AND SLOW JUSTICE ABOUT TO CHANGE

According to the Administrative Office of the Courts, Yakima is among Washington’s fastest-growing counties, with a significant rise in filings across multiple case types.
Currently, more than 2,800 cases in Yakima County are over two years old, including civil and criminal matters.

CRIMINAL AND CIVIL MATTERS PILING UP

Civil protection order filings have surged in recent years, alongside increases in "eviction cases and involuntary commitment proceedings."
Local court officials say the backlog is delaying justice for victims, families, and defendants, sometimes leaving cases unresolved for months or even years. The addition of a new judge is expected to help reduce these delays and ensure cases are processed more efficiently. Senate Bill 5868 will officially take effect on June 11, marking a significant step toward addressing the county’s judicial needs and improving the delivery of justice in Yakima County.