Washington Judge Permanently Blocks Key Sheriff Law Provisions

On Friday, Oct. 2, 2026, Thurston County Superior Court Judge Christine Schaller permanently blocked key provisions of Washington’s Senate Bill 5974 from the bench in Olympia, with Spokane County Sheriff John Nowels in attendance. “The qualifications under section nine are so expansive, that they cannot be upheld,” she said. The Democrat-sponsored bill would have set a minimum age of 25 for sheriff candidates, raised required law-enforcement experience from two years to five, barred certain convictions and certification-risking conduct, required background checks, and cut the certification window for uncertified sheriffs to nine months. Schaller had temporarily blocked much of the law on April 29, 2026, one day before it was to take effect. A Washington Supreme Court commissioner later declined to lift that order, so 2026 sheriff elections proceeded without the new rules. CONTESTED: Plaintiffs’ attorney Mark Lamb said democracy requires accepting elected officials voters choose, even when they say disliked things, and that a commission should not remove them for conduct it deems offensive. Walla Walla County Sheriff Mark Crider said he was “fairly satisfied,” arguing the law would have disenfranchised voters. Assistant Attorney General Kristen Valore said voters place immense trust in sheriffs and that accountability, trust, and training are paramount. Retired judge Anne Levinson, who helped draft the law, said there is great harm to the public and vulnerable individuals if top officials continue after serious misconduct. Faulk said the state intends to appeal; a written order is to follow.