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Presiding Judge James Armstrong says Bremerton Municipal Court is refocused on steady justice
Summary
James Armstrong, appointed presiding judge pro tem by the Administrative Office of the Courts, told the Bremerton City Council on Feb. 19 that he is working to stabilize staff, keep court operations running and expand the court’s community court program that connects people in crisis to housing and treatment resources.
Presiding Judge James Armstrong, newly assigned by the Administrative Office of the Courts, told the Bremerton City Council on Feb. 19 that he is focused on delivering “fair, timely, and effective” justice at the Bremerton Municipal Court.
Armstrong said the administrative office asked him to assume the role pro tem and that neither the mayor nor the council played a role in the appointment. He described high staff turnover at the court and said he is relying on his administrator, Lisa Hardy, and named clerks and support staff to keep operations functioning while leadership stabilizes.
Armstrong said he has communicated expectations to staff “to treat the person in front of them as the most important person,” a standard he said applies both on the bench and at the court counter. He named court staff who assist at the bench and front counter, and security personnel he said help assure the court’s safe operation.
On program work, Armstrong described the court’s community court, which he said provides “resources for housing, treatment programs, and providers that allow people stability while continuing through those respective cases.” He said community court stakeholders include mental-health providers, defense attorneys and the prosecutor’s office and that the program includes weekly check-ins and progress reporting.
Armstrong announced a community resource fair related to the program at Marvin Williams Recreation Center on March 21, 2025, and invited council members and the public to “come into the court. Take a seat. Observe what takes place. Make your own judgment based on your view of the work of the court.”
City Council President Junger opened the meeting by introducing Armstrong. Council members thanked Armstrong for appearing and for giving what one called “some calm into our community.” Armstrong closed by reiterating that the court’s doors at 550 Park Avenue are open to the public.
Armstrong’s appearance was presented as an informational update; no council action was taken.
