R. W. Buzzard

R.W. Buzzard is an American jurist who, as of 2019, is a judge of the District Court of Lewis County, a rural county in the state of Washington.

Hon.

R.W. Buzzard
Judge of the Lewis County District Court
Personal details
CitizenshipUnited States
Alma materSeattle University (J.D.)
City University of Seattle (MBA)
Eastern Washington University (B.A.)
ProfessionJudge
County ordinances prohibit the possession of firearms in the Lewis County Courthouse (pictured) by those other than security personnel, however, R.W. Buzzard has interpreted the law to include himself among the courthouse's security.

Early life and education

R.W. Buzzard is the child of Steve Buzzard, a former judge of the municipal court of Chehalis, Washington, and Missy Buzzard, the town's former mayor.[1] He graduated from Centralia High School and Eastern Washington University, and later earned a Juris Doctor cum laude from the Seattle University School of Law. He also has a Master of Business Administration from City University of Seattle.[2]

Career

R.W. Buzzard was admitted to the bar in 2000.[2] In 2003, he was appointed to the municipal court of Centralia, Washington and, the following year, was selected to the bench of the Lewis County District Court.[1]

Buzzard was the subject of considerable criticism in 2018 after reports revealed that he drank liquor in his judge's chambers and in violation of law and Courthouse policy kept a loaded firearm in an unlocked drawer of his desk.[3] According to Buzzard, he kept the firearm for personal protection as one of his judicial duties was to ride circuit to the remote town of Morton, Washington.[3] Critics noted that county ordinances prohibited carrying firearms into the Lewis County Courthouse by anyone except security personnel, while former Judge Buzzard tried to argue, unsuccessfully, that because as judge he had "ultimate responsibility" for order in his court.[3] As a result, Buzzard agreed to begin keeping personal armaments in a locked safe at the courthouse.[3]

Buzzard has criticized the lack of security in the judicial facilities of Washington which have a high rate of courtroom violence; the state has the eighth greatest number of annual courtroom security incidents in the United States, eclipsing even that of New York despite the latter state having three times Washington's population.[4][5]

In 2018, Buzzard personally intervened in a fight that erupted in his courtroom after a civil defendant punched an attorney.[5] Buzzard responded to the assault by descending from the bench and physically restraining the man.[5] The following year, Buzzard again descended from the bench to give chase after two criminal suspects attempted to escape his courtroom.[6] When the two men fled, Buzzard ripped off his judicial robes and pursued the suspects through the courthouse, ultimately grappling and restraining one of the two.[7] The second man was later apprehended by deputies of the Lewis County Sheriff.[7]

Personal life

Buzzard is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and is Methodist.[2] He is married with two children.[1]

gollark: > wtf is a maths licenseA license permitting you to do mathematical inquiry, we have them in the UK.
gollark: > you tried to orbital laser me for socialismSocialism *is* an offense worthy of lasing, you know.
gollark: No. Bees MAY be deployed.
gollark: He totally did.
gollark: Well, they revoked my maths license.

See also
  • Washington State Supreme Court

References
  1. Decker, Sharyn (November 19, 2004). "Newly elected judge steps up to bench". Daily Chronicle. Retrieved November 22, 2019.
  2. Wilber, Amanda (July 14, 2003). "The new Buzz…ard around city hall is sworn in as judge". Daily Chronicle. Retrieved November 22, 2019.
  3. Johnson, Natalie (February 13, 2018). "Lewis County Judge Drank Alcohol in Chambers, Kept Gun in Desk". Daily Chronicle. Retrieved November 22, 2019.
  4. "Washington State County Courthouse Security Report" (PDF). courts.wa.gov. Superior Court Judges’ Association. Retrieved November 22, 2019.
  5. Home, Deborah (April 30, 2018). "Judge stops attack on lawyer; says court needs video cameras". KIRO-TV. Retrieved November 22, 2019.
  6. La Rosa, Leah (October 24, 2018). "Judge chases inmates who tried escaping from courtroom, catches 1". ABC News. Retrieved November 22, 2019.
  7. "Judge chases prisoners, nabs one during attempted escape". Associated Press. October 24, 2018. Retrieved November 22, 2019.
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