New judge takes over for municipal court cases in Pasco
Pasco has named a new municipal court judge.
The Pasco City Council recently voted to confirm Carlos Villarreal for a four-year term beginning in January 2026.
Villarreal will replace Judge Craig Stilwill, who served 2018-25. His contract expires at the end of the year and applied to be reappointed to the position.
Pasco City Manager Harold Stewart instead recommended Villarreal of the eight candidates who applied from across the region. Five people, including Villarreal and Stillwill, were interviewed.
“Pasco has been very near to my heart. I’ve been the judge for the last eight years. It’s been an honor to serve in that position, and it’s an honor to pass this to you,” Stilwill told Villarreal during his confirmation.
The municipal court handles parking tickets, traffic and non-traffic infractions, and criminal misdemeanors and gross misdemeanors cited by Pasco police.
Villarreal has served as a judge pro tem since 2011 and currently operates his own law practice focused on criminal defense and family-based immigration matters.
During his tenure, Stilwill launched the court community resource program, which helps connect people facing homelessness, mental health conditions and substance abuse with needed services.
He implemented changes to court processes that were intended to improve the experience of people involved in the criminal justice system. He also created a probation supervisor position, restructuring the department to help people complete probation.
