Dynamic and dedicated as a King County Prosecuting Attorney and Pro-Tem Municipal Judge, Matthew has a comprehensive skill set acquired through his energetic pursuit of his education and years of civil service. Matthew's many years of experience in focused Constitutional Law (especially Search and Seizure and Miranda Rights) coupled with his specialized conflict resolution training make him the most qualified candidate to serve Federal Way as Municipal Court Judge.
Relevant Professional Experience
September 2008 - Present
Municipal Judge Pro-Tem
Kent, Washington
- Presiding over cases involving alleged traffic infractions, misdemeanors, and gross misdemeanors
- On the bench for all phases of Municipal trials, including: arraignment, pre-trial motions, suppression hearings, trial, sentencing
September 2002 - Present
King County Prosecuting Attorney
King County, Washington
- District Court rotation, inclusive of misdemeanor and traffic violations, prosecuting over twenty trials
- Juvenile Court rotation, inclusive of misdemeanor and felony cases, wherein a conviction was secured in a murder trial
- Filing and prosecuting cases involving drug related felonies for the Drug Unit
- Determining the strength of evidence and the adherence to proper legal procedure of each case for a rotation with the Filing Unit
- Served as prosecutor on scores of felonies with the Trial Teams of King County
- Working alongside the Valley Narcotics Enforcement Team, the Drug Enforcement Agency, and the Eastside Narcotics Task Force for the Case Development subsection of the Special Prosecution Unit
- Guiding asset forfeiture within the statute preventing drug dealers from profiting
- Providing legal direction for investigative ideas to law enforcement agencies
- Active role in each investigation, from its beginning, through the sentencing phase of trial
- Formulating policy for both the King County Prosecutors Office and many law enforcement agencies in King County
Summary of Additional Experience And Accolades
- Robert Griffin Award for the best debater in Nevada
- Top 15% at Willamette University
- One of 16 students accepted to the highly competitive Certificate of Dispute Resolution program at Willamette University
- Office representative at the Cracks in the Justice System Diversity Conference
- Aided in the creation of a debate team at Seattle Community College
- Instructed the Explorers Mock Trial team
- Guest lecturer at Kitsap Community College
- At the request of the Federal Drug Enforcement Agency, taught a Search and Seizure course attended by many law enforcement agencies in the Northwest
Education
WILLAMETTE UNIVERSITY - SALEM, OREGON
Juris Doctorate and Certificate of Dispute Resolution
UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA - RENO, NEVADA
Bachelors of Arts in Communications / Minor in Criminal Justice