PORT ANGELES — Questions over use of pro tempore judges, the value of community service and collection of fines and costs highlighted a spirited debate between candidates for Clallam County District Court judge during Monday’s Port Angeles Chamber of Commerce meeting.
Voters in central and eastern Clallam County will decide between incumbent John Doherty and challenger Rick Porter, a criminal deputy in the prosecutor’s office, during the Nov. 5 general election.
The race is non-partisan.
Porter, making his first attempt at public office, targeted Doherty’s use of pro tempore judges during the hour-long session, claiming Doherty uses them beyond what is allowed by state law
Doherty, after the meeting, said he didn’t understand how Porter had arrived at figures showing he used pro tempore judges an average of 78 days annually since 1996 at $21,031 more than allocated.
“I never take the entire 30 days I’m allocated,” Doherty said. “I have returned (budgeted) money from that fund every single year.”
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