By Dennis Box-The Courier-Herald

Judge James Helbling has announced he will be stepping down from Bonney Lake Municipal Court after 22 years of service.

The judge's last day will be Dec. 31, although he may act as a judge pro tem if needed until a new judge has settled into the court.

The 68-year-old Helbling has been practicing law for 35 years in the south Puget Sound area. He graduated from Gonzaga University law school in 1973.

Helbling joined a small firm in Tacoma for about six months after law school before opening his private practice in 1974. Helbling's first office was in the South Hill area and he moved his practice to Tacoma in 1978 where it is today.

He was a municipal judge for the city of Buckley for two years prior to taking over the Bonney Lake court.

After he steps down from the bench, Helbling will also close his law practice.

“I will miss the people,” Helbling said. “I really enjoyed everyone I work with, but I'm ready to relax and I would like to travel.”

The judge said one of the “dream trips” he plans to take is a river boat trip “beginning in north Holland and going all the way to the Black Sea. That's what I'd like to do.”

Helbling said when he started on the bench in Bonney Lake the court was a very different, meeting once a month for a couple of hours.

“I don't think I put anyone in jail for the first five or six years,” Helbling said. “Now there are a lot of drug charges, assault. It's nothing to look at (a defendant's record) and see a long list of felonies. The overall caliber of defendants has definitely gone south.”

Currently, the court is in session all day Wednesday and Thursday. The judge comes in Fridays for those in jail who may need to be released before the weekend. Tuesdays and Thursdays the court holds trials and Monday the court often meets for half days if necessary.

Helbling said he expects the court to go full time in two years.

“In the years to come I won't recognize this court,” Helbling said. “There will be more electronics and there will be separate offices for defenders and prosecutors.”

One idea the judge does not support is the “super courts” or regional court systems where one court would serve numerous small jurisdictions. Some state and county officials are considering the regional concept.

“I'm not in favor of it,” Helbling said. “We would lose the personal touch.”

The judge said the reason he is able to preside over such a busy court is because of the administrative staff.

“I can't say enough about all the court staff and Kathy (Seymour, court administrator),” Helbling said. “Kathy really runs this place and they are all hard workers.”

Seymour has been with the judge 18 years and is his longest-serving administrator.

“He gave me an opportunity and it's been wonderful,” Seymour said. “He has always been there when we needed him and he lets us do our job and respects our opinions.”

The judge said he is confident the court will be well taken care by the city in the years to come.

“The mayor and the City Council have been very supportive of the court,” Helbling said.

Dennis Box can be reached at dbox@courierherald.com.