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 Courts of Limited Jurisdiction (CrRLJ) 3.2 to shift how courts handle the release of individuals before trial.

“This isn’t a small technical fix. It is a major policy change,” Torres, R-Pasco, said. “Changes like this belong in the Legislature, where the public has a voice, and the impacts can be fully debated, not decided through court rules.”

Torres said the proposal shifts decision-making away from the Legislature and would result in more people being released while tying judges’ hands when it comes to assessing risk.

“Judges need the flexibility to look at the full picture, including someone’s history, the facts of the case, and the risk to the community,” Torres continued. “A one-size-fits-all approach is the wrong direction.”

Torres also pointed to growing concerns from communities across the state about crime and accountability.

“People are already frustrated. They are seeing repeat behavior. They are seeing the same individuals cycle through the system, and they are asking where the accountability is,” Torres said. “Policies that weaken accountability on the front end only make that worse.”

In addition to public safety concerns, Torres said the proposal lacks a clear understanding of the financial impact on local governments.

“Our counties are already stretched thin,” Torres warned. “Law enforcement, courts, and public defense are all feeling the strain. Making a shift like this without a full fiscal picture risks pushing even more costs onto local taxpayers.”

Torres said the letter calls on the Court to reject the proposal and instead work with lawmakers on any future changes.

“If we are going to make changes to the system, let’s do it the right way,” Torres concluded. “That means working through the Legislature, where the people are represented, with a transparent process and real debate, not imposing changes through court rules without public input.”

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