2019-07-23 Meeting with Judge SamuelsonMeeting with Judge Samuelson
July 23, 2019
4:01 p.m.
Present: Commissioner Jackson, Commissioner Stamper, Commissioner Fund, County Manager Erik
Martin, Judge Samuelson
Recorder: Rieva Lester
Judge Samuelson said he has concerns with booking restrictions at the Lewis County Jail.
He noted the following:
• The jail has a self-reported capacity of 250 inmates.
• The jail rents out a portion of its capacity to outside entities, including Thurston County, Olympia
and the Department of Corrections, meaning 13 percent to 15 percent of its capacity
unavailable to Lewis County courts.
• The jail discourages Class C felony arrests during jail booking restrictions.
• Only the following are allowed during booking restrictions:
o Class A and Class B felonies
o Class C felonies that can’t be referred
o Fresh domestic violence and DUI arrests
o DUI / DV warrants.
Judge Samuelson said District Court and the local municipal courts are affected by the booking
restrictions and that freeing up beds would open up spaces to house misdemeanor and gross
misdemeanor cases.
County Manager Erik Martin said the sheriff discussed raising rates the previous year. He noted that the
sheriff reported that he had raised rates and that one of the contract entities left because of it.
Commissioner Jackson left at 4:24 p.m.
Judge Samuelson reiterated that the individuals being turned away aren’t just those driving with a
suspended license.
Erik Martin invited Judge Samuelson to participate in the Strategic Planning process.
Erik left at 4:36 p.m.
Meeting adjourned at 4:42 p.m.