James M. Johnson (judge)

James M. Johnson is a former Associate Justice of the Washington Supreme Court. He was first elected to the court in 2004.^[1] Johnson graduated from Harvard University with a B.A. in economics and obtained his J.D. from the University of Washington. From 1973 to 1993, Johnson worked in the Washington Attorney-General's office, during which time he served as Assistant Attorney-General responsible for the Fish and Wildlife Division. Johnson served as Washington's first Counsel for the Environment, in this role he led the state's effort to hold hydro and nuclear power generation projects to high environmental and safety standards.^[2]

Justice Johnson came under political fire after a Supreme Court employee issued a press release critical of Justice Sanders. During a discussion of budget cuts to various court committees, a court employee argued against cutting a court committee dealing with race and alleged that institutional racism in the courts was the sole reason for the statistically greater rate of incarceration amongst blacks in Washington State. Justice Sanders argued that socio-economic forces were responsible and that Washington's Court System was not racist, but instead "...represents convictions for crimes committed rather than railroading innocent men to prison...". Justice Johnson appeared to agree with Justice Sanders' position.^[3][4]

Notes

1. LIPTAK, ADAM (October 7, 2007). "Law on Lies by Politicians Is Found Unconstitutional". New York Times.
2. http://www.courts.wa.gov/appellate_trial_courts/supreme/bios/?fa=scbios.display_file&fileID=jmJohnson
3. Miletich, Steve (October 21, 2010). "Two state Supreme Court justices stun some listeners with race comments". The Seattle Times.
4. Sanders, Richard B. (December 2, 2010). "Justice Sanders explains his comments about race and criminality". The Seattle Times.