Chelan County deserves judges who are fair, balanced, and committed to service.Jay Eyestone is the best candidate to bring those qualities to the District Court Bench in 2024.As a former servicemember, Eyestone bears the integrity, courage, and poise under pressure to judge fairly, no matter the circumstance. As an experienced attorney, public defender, and former prosecutor, Eyestone has the balanced training and experience to thoughtfully consider all points of view. As a husband and father, Eyestone knows the meaning of commitment, and is reminded daily of the priceless rewards of serving others.Join us, and help elect Jay Eyestone for Chelan County District Court Judge!

About Jay Eyestone:

Jay Eyestone has always had a heart for public service. In the past, it has led him to serve his community as a prosecutor, public defender, and National Guard soldier. When Eyestone centered his law practice in the Chelan County District Court, he soon felt called to serve Chelan County in a role uniquely suited to his talents and experience: district court judge.

Judicial Philosophy
As a former servicemember, Eyestone knows that our Republic is strongest when our public servants lead with courage, integrity, and self-sacrifice. Eyestone’s goals, if elected, will be to serve the community’s best interests at all times, faithfully follow the law without regard for personal views, and fairly decide each case as it comes. Eyestone believes that all who enter the courtroom should be treated with dignity, courtesy and compassion, including victims of crime, those accused of crime, civil litigants of all kinds, and the many professionals who help others navigate the court system.

Former Prosecutor
Eyestone began his legal career as a Deputy District Attorney in Jefferson County, Oregon. When he asked his boss, a long-serving District Attorney, what it would take to succeed in that position, he embraced the answer and made it a personal mantra:
“Be courageous. And be prepared.”
Eyestone received excellent training in effective prosecution of high-impact crimes, like impaired driving and intimate-partner violence.

In addition to prosecuting the usual array of criminal offenses, Eyestone had the unique experience of prosecuting a large number of poaching cases that arose from cooperative efforts with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation. He developed a reputation as a skilled trial attorney, unafraid to stand before a jury on a challenging case. At the same time, Eyestone displayed a heart for rehabilitative criminal justice, and served as the county’s drug court and mental health court prosecutor.

Defender
Since his time as a prosecutor, Eyestone has practiced criminal defense in a variety of contexts—in a nonprofit lawfirm that exclusively offered public defense services, a firm that exclusively served private-paying clients, and finally the Wenatchee firm of Kottkamp, Yedinak & Esworthy PLLC, where he serves a blend of court-appointed and private-paying clients.

As a nonprofit public defender, Eyestone represented his fifteen-attorney firm as the public defense liaison in the Deschutes County District Attorney’s development and launch of a new veterans court program. Later, Eyestone’s time serving only the best-paying clients in private criminal defense left him longing for the personal satisfaction of serving others for justice’s own sake. Eyestone is proud to serve as a public defender for the City of Wenatchee and conflict public defender for Douglas County in his practice today. He is known to work diligently and passionately for all his clients. Although a zealous advocate, Eyestone is respected by opposing attorneys for his strong ethics, integrity, and professionalism.Former Soldier
Eyestone enlisted in the Army National Guard the summer before his junior year of college. At the time, Eyestone was attending George Fox University, a school founded by members of the Quaker faith known to embrace pacifism. Eyestone developed his skill for respectful disagreement while at once maintaining close friendships with nonviolence-minded students and faculty on campus, and fellow armed servicemembers.

Eyestone proved to be an outstanding soldier, even as he continued his studies at Lewis & Clark Law School and worked part-time at the Oregon Department of Justice. He served as a 27D Paralegal NCO, first in the 2-218th Field Artillery, then at the State Office of the Staff Judge Advocate. He was awarded the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal (2nd Award), and Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal (2nd Award). He attained the rank of Sergeant E5, and was honorably discharged.

Husband and Father
Above all, Eyestone is proud to be a husband and father. His wife, Kate, was born and raised in Wenatchee, where they are now happily raising their two sons. Eyestone himself was born in the Philippines, where his parents served as missionaries for over thirty years while maintaining roots in Washington. Eyestone is thrilled to have made Wenatchee his home, and looks forward to watching his sons grow up in this community. When it comes to balancing his family with his career and public service, Eyestone believes that our community thrives when its leaders put family first.

Jay Eyestone is Proud to be endorsed by:

  • Andrew Kottkamp, Partner at Kottkamp, Yedinak & Esworthy PLLC and Hearings Examiner for Chelan County and many other local jurisdictions.

  • Nicholas Yedinak, Partner at Kottkamp, Yedinak & Esworthy PLLC.

  • Sean Esworthy, Partner at Kottkamp, Yedinak & Esworthy PLLC and former Assistant City Attorney (prosecutor) for the City of Wenatchee.

  • Nicole Hankins, Partner at Hankins Tibbits Law Firm PLLC and former Chelan County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney.

  • Clarke Tibbits, Partner at Hankins Tibbits Law Firm PLLC and East Wenatchee Municipal Court Judge.

  • Allison Drescher, Attorney at Hankins Tibbits Law Firm PLLC.

  • Steve Woods, Partner at Woods, Brangwin & Bratton PLLC and experienced part-time pro tem judge for Chelan County District Court.

  • John Brangwin, Partner at Woods, Brangwin & Bratton PLLC and experienced part-time pro tem judge for Chelan County District Court.

  • Jeremy Burke, Partner at Woods, Brangwin & Bratton PLLC and former Douglas County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney.

  • Andrew Melton, Owner of Melton Law PLLC and experienced part-time pro tem judge for Chelan County District Court.

  • Brandon Redal, Owner of The Redal Defense Firm PLLC.

  • Holly Pederson Duffy, Owner of Pederson Law PLLC.

  • Kayla Murphy, Owner of K. Murphy Law PLLC.

  • Justin Titus, Partner at Titus, Halls & Sellers PLLC.

  • Jeremy Ford, Director of Counsel for Defense of Chelan County.

  • J. Briggs Helton, Attorney at Counsel for Defense of Chelan County.

  • Jennifer Lo, Attorney at Counsel for Defense of Chelan County.

  • Mike Mattocks, Attorney at Counsel for Defense of Chelan County.

  • Russell Lytle, Attorney at GLP Personal Injury Attorneys, and former public defense attorney for City of Wenatchee and City of Chelan.

  • Jason Wargin, Owner of Wargin Law PLLC.

  • Jesse Collins, Director of Douglas County Office of Public Defense.

  • Stephen Krake, Owner of Krake Law PLLC.

  • Pat McMahon, Partner at Carlson & McMahon PLLC.

  • Marc Marquis, Owner of Marquis Law Office PLLC.

  • Frank Kuntz, former Mayor of Wenatchee.

  • Miranda Skalisky, Wenatchee School Board Member - Position 4, and former Chelan County juvenile detention officer and deputy clerk of the Superior Court.

  • Allison Williams, former Executive Services Director for City of Wenatchee.

  • Dr. Jeff and Brigid Chvilicek.

  • Dr. Jason Hoard.

  • Mike Malmin.

DUTIES OF A DISTRICT COURT JUDGE:

The District Court Judge is a local judge who serves all of Chelan County.Described as a court of limited jurisdiction, the District Court hears only certain specified types of cases. These include:

  • Misdemeanor and Gross Misdemeanor criminal cases. These are charges that carry maximum potential penalties no greater than 364 days in jail, and/or fines up to $5,000. Examples include simple assault, petty theft, and DUI.

  • Infractions. These are civil offenses punishable only by fines. Examples include speeding tickets, and violations of hunting or fishing regulations.

  • Civil cases. Lawsuits can be filed in District Court so long as the only relief sought are monetary claims no greater than $100,000. Examples could include breach of contract, or lien foreclosures on personal property.

  • Protection order petitions. Victims of domestic violence, stalking, or harassment may file in District Court of civil protection orders. They may be transferred to the Superior Court under some circumstances.

  • Miscellaneous. Other matters within District Court jurisdiction include name changes and vehicle impound hearings.

District Court is sometimes referred to as The People’s Court, because it is the most likely point of contact for most people to have with the court system. These cases deal with the everyday troubles of ordinary people.

Contact

For media inquiries, volunteer opportunities, or offers of endorsement, please contact:Eyestone for Judge
403 South Miller Street
Wenatchee, WA 98801
(509) 596-0872

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Contribute

Contributions to support Jay Eyestone's candidacy may be directed to his campaign committee:Eyestone for Judge
403 South Miller Street
Wenatchee, WA 98801