LAKEWOOD – The City of Lakewood has selected Grant Blinn as its next Municipal Court Judge. His term begins January 1, 2014, when Municipal Court Judge Ernest Heller’s term expires.
Judge Blinn brings more than two decades of legal and public safety experience to the Court, including the past 17 years with the Pierce County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, where he most recently served as Homicide Chief. Prior to that, he served as a Division Chief, where he supervised 25 deputy prosecutors and staff who prosecuted criminal offenses in Pierce County District Court.
“I am honored at the opportunity to serve as a Judge in my own community,” he said. “The Piece County Prosecutor’s Office taught me the value of hard work, professionalism, and commitment to the community, and I look forward to bringing those values to Lakewood Municipal Court.”
Judge Blinn has also served as Judge Pro-Tempore for Thurston County District Court since 2010. He earned a Juris Doctor degree from the Seattle University School of Law, and a bachelor’s degree from California State University, Chico, where he majored in recreation administration with an emphasis in Parks and Natural Resources Management.
“We are very excited to welcome Judge Blinn to the City,” Lakewood City Manager John Caulfield said. “He brings a fresh perspective that will add value to an already efficient, well-run Municipal Court that our citizens and contracted agencies enjoy.”
Caulfield also thanked Judge Heller, who dedicated more than a decade to the Lakewood Municipal Court, presiding over thousands of misdemeanor cases for Lakewood, University Place and Steilacoom.
“Judge Heller is an excellent public servant to whom the community of Lakewood owes a debt of gratitude,” Caulfield said. “Without his dedicated service, the Municipal Court wouldn’t have grown into the department it is today.”