State v. Hastings

This is an appeal from a criminal conviction in district court which was reversed on review by the Superior Court. The sole question is whether a defendant's consent is necessary before the defendant may be tried by a judge pro tempore in district court. We hold a criminal defendant has neither a constitutional nor a statutory right to insist that his or her consent be given to the authority of a pro tempore judge in district court.

Michael Hastings was charged with driving under the influence of intoxicants pursuant to RCW 46.61.502. Following a bench trial the defendant was found guilty by a…