OLYMPIA — Sen. Nikki Torres is speaking out against a proposal before the Washington State Supreme Court that would significantly change how pretrial release decisions are made, following a letter signed by several state lawmakers urging the Court to reject the changes. The proposal would amend Criminal Rule (CrR) and Criminal Rule for...

OLYMPIA — Sen. Matt Boehnke and Sen. Nikki Torres have introduced a comprehensive package of legislation to close dangerous gaps in Washington’s handling of less restrictive alternative (LRA) placements for sexually violent predators, prioritizing the safety of families, neighborhoods, and children across the state. “These are not abstract policy debates;...

OLYMPIA—Sen. Nikki Torres (R-Pasco) and Rep. Adison Richards (D-Gig Harbor) announced a wide-ranging package of bills aimed at stabilizing and strengthening the state’s strained public defense system. The proposal comes as Washington’s legal system faces mounting operational pressures, with updated caseload standards increasing demands across the board for public defenders...

Today Gov. Jay Inslee signed a measure sponsored by Sen. Nikki Torres that is aimed at making Washington safer and supporting access to criminal justice. The new law joins three additional Torres-sponsored measures signed by Inslee since the 2024 session ended earlier this month. “I am pleased to see these...

Today the Senate approved two measures sponsored by Sen. Nikki Torres that are aimed at making Washington safer and supporting access to criminal justice. Senate Bill 5160 would further define the crime of organized retail theft, a step the central Washington lawmaker says is crucial to protecting retailers and consumers,...