24 Hours: Benton County judge aims to make a difference
Years ago, before Katy Butler went to law school, before she became a prosecutor, before she donned a judge’s robe for the first time, she appeared in a Seattle area courtroom.
She and her roommate sued their landlord after he refused to refund their security deposit.
“We went to small claims court. It was a crowded courtroom in King County, and the judge was scarier than all get out,” Butler recalled. “He was really gruff.”
Butler prevailed. And the win wasn’t the only thing that stuck with her — the judge’s demeanor did too.
Now Benton County District Court’s presiding judge, Butler handles herself in a different way.
Her goal is to be firm but fair. To make the defendants who appear before her feel heard, even if they don’t ultimately like the outcome.
“What I like about being a judge — besides the fact that it’s different every day — is thinking that maybe, just maybe, I can make a difference in somebody’s life,” Butler told the Herald.
What I like about being a judge — besides the fact that it’s different every day — is thinking that maybe, just maybe, I can make a difference in somebody’s life.
Judge Katy Butler
It was around 8 a.m., and Butler had about an hour to go before Benton County’s new mental health court would convene for the day.
Like her colleagues on the bench in District Court, Butler handles everything from arraignments to jury and bench trials.
She’s also the judge for mental health court, which started in the spring.
The program aims to better deal with lower level offenders who are in contact with the system primarily because of their mental illness.
Participants appear in court frequently and regularly meet with a case manager.
For Butler, being the mental health court judge means the chance to make a more personal connection with the men and women who appear before her.
She knows about their lives, from housing issues to job interviews. The program provides hope, she said.
“It’s really exciting to see people find hope that they won’t be in the system (one day),” Butler said.
The program motivated me to try and not give up so I’m ready to move on. I’m more responsible, more independent. I’m learning how to cope with my anxiety (through) my counseling sessions ... I’m starting to study for my G.E.D. I’m in the process of getting my license.
Mental health court participant
Butler, 61, grew up a military kid, living in places from California to Nevada to Japan.
She attended Whitman College in Walla Walla as an undergrad, and then spent a year serving as a VISTA volunteer in the Seattle area.
She wasn’t sure which direction to take after that. She thought about teaching or going to law school.
A Christian, Butler prayed about it. She ended up at University of California Hastings College of the Law in San Francisco.
A stint with a private firm in Spokane followed, and then love drew Butler to the Tri-Cities. Her now-husband worked here.
She joined the Benton County Prosecutor’s Office, eventually becoming a judge pro tem and a part-time court commissioner. She was appointed a full-time District Court judge in 2009.
When the mother of three was sworn in as judge, she thought of the Bible verse Micah 6:8. It talks about the right path being to “act justly” and “walk humbly with your God.”
You think of a judge’s job as just being on the bench. But it’s much broader than that. You’re interacting with law enforcement, the prosecutor’s office, the office of public defense. You’re trying to implement policies and procedures in terms of how you run your court, and you realize that it impacts so many different people and agencies.
Judge Katy Butler
That’s been her touchstone as a judge. “I’m not successful all the time, but I hope to do that,” she said.
Butler comes across as whip-smart, reasoned, warm and fair.
She checked email, went over notes and talked with the mental health court’s program manager as the clock ticked closer to 9 a.m.
At one point, Judge Dan Kathren walked one door over to chat. “I am so fortunate to have my chambers next to Judge Butler. I’ve learned so much from her,” he said.
Their job isn’t exactly what you might expect, they said.
“You think of a judge’s job as just being on the bench. But it’s much broader than that,” Butler told the Herald. “You’re interacting with law enforcement, the prosecutor’s office, the office of public defense. You’re trying to implement policies and procedures in terms of how you run your court, and you realize that it impacts so many different people and agencies.”
So Butler tries to be firm, but fair. To seek justice. To do what she can to make a difference.
It was about 9 a.m. then. Butler rose from her chair and grabbed her black robe. It was time for court. She headed out the door.
Sara Schilling: 509-582-1529, @SaraTCHerald
Editor’s Note: Tri-City Herald photographer Sarah Gordon and reporter Sara Schilling are documenting 24 hours in the Tri-City area, spending a different hour of the day with a different person.
The first six installments of the series, called 24 Hours, ran in print and online in March, covering midnight through 5 a.m.
The next six installments are running this week, covering 6 to 11 a.m.
Gordon and Schilling sought diverse subjects — people from different backgrounds, with different jobs, different interests, different stories.
The men and women they found reflect the Tri-City community. They are the community.
So, what will their hours tell us — about who they are, about who we are?
We hope you’ll follow along and find out.
This story was originally published July 25, 2016 at 6:59 PM with the headline "24 Hours: Benton County judge aims to make a difference."