Michael Hecht may be in the process of establishing a new court record – shortest tenure on the bench. The Pierce County Superior Court judge took office in January amid accusations he paid for sex with male prostitutes, including a minor. The prosecutor refused to bring cases to his court, he subsequently took a paid leave, was charged in criminal court with patronizing a prostitute and with harassment, and, finally, was charged yesterday with code violations by the state Commission on Judicial Conduct. According to the CJC complaint, he picked up one male prostitute on Tacoma’s Antique Row and had sex with him in Hecht’s law offices. He also is charged with trading legal favors for sexual favors. And using the word “nigger.” And stealing the yard signs of his political opponent, Sergio Armijo. This might be a good point to recall Hecht’s campaign vow: “Judge Armijo’s record is an embarrassment to the judiciary in our county. Fundamental fairness is a cornerstone of justice and in judge Armijo’s courtroom the appearance of fairness is not present. It is time for change and I say to the voters you will not be embarrassed by my decisions or my judicial temperament.”
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