Bush nominates Martinez as federal judge for Western Washington

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Wednesday, August 13, 2003 - Page updated at 04:37 P.M.

Bush nominates Martinez as federal judge for Western Washington

The Associated Press

SEATTLE — President Bush today nominated U.S. Magistrate Ricardo Martinez as a federal judge for Western Washington.

Martinez has been a magistrate judge at U.S. District Court in Seattle since 1998. Magistrates are appointed to eight-year terms, and sit on civil and some criminal cases if the parties consent.

If confirmed by the U.S. Senate, Martinez, 52, would be the first Latino to become a federal district judge in the state's history.

Before being named a magistrate, Martinez served as a King County Superior Court judge and as a King County deputy prosecutor. He was also the first judge named to the state's Drug Court, a program that uses treatment services as an alternative to incarceration.

U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., who worked with the Republican administration to choose Martinez, applauded President Bush's decision.

More at the Seattle Times