Fair

As a judge, he is dedicated to ensuring that all residents who enter King County courts walk away feeling that they were treated fair. Court rules are meant to be applied fairly to all sides and Judge Chow ensures equitable access to justice. He understands our communities, from diversity to economic differences. He supports access to services for all residents, and is vigilant that they are provided. He is vigilant when enforcing laws of equality, ensuring that all Washingtonians have a fair standing and all laws are followed.

As an active participant in the District and Municipal Court Judges’ Association, Judge Chow was instrumental in developing education curricula on gender and diversity issues through the education committee. Under his leadership, Judge Chow institutionalized a program of study in Judicial College for new judges. It was the first educational curriculum on gender and diversity issues established for judges.

Dedicated

Born in Seattle, Judge Chow was employed at his parent’s restaurant, Ruby Chow’s, where he learned the value of hard work and family. His parents taught him the importance of working hard at all times and serving our community with pride. Judge Chow continues his family’s legacy of public and community service. He is not satisfied with the status quo, but works to create improvements within the judicial system that will help people and provide services to the community.

Among his accomplishments, Judge Chow presided over one of the nation’s first courts to offer an alternative for those with mental health issues. King County’s Mental Health Court was a pioneer in reducing the criminalization of the mentally ill as it focused on keeping communities safe. With Mark’s help, the court instituted the therapeutic belief that crime can be prevented by means other than simply jailing the mentally ill. This helped reduce recidivism and was responsible for cutting jail time for one class of inmate by 80%, saving untold tax dollars and restoring lives to a productive place in society.

Experienced

Elected to the King County District Court for six consecutive terms, Judge Mark Chow is the first Asian-American in Washington state to win election to district court. Judge Chow has worked as an attorney in private practice, as legal counsel to the Office of the Mayor of Seattle, and Deputy Prosecuting Attorney for King County. He helped found one of the nation’s first courts to offer an alternative to sitting in jail for those with mental health disorders. King County’s Mental Health Court was a pioneer in reducing the criminalization of the mentally ill as it focused on keeping communities safe.

Outside the courtroom, Judge Chow speaks at educational institutions and judicial conferences facilitating subjects involving mental health, and domestic violence issues. Additionally, he was invited to help create mental health courts in Washington, D.C., Texas, Tennessee, Hawaii, and cities across the country. Moreover, Judge Chow frequently speaks to groups of students learning English as a second language (ESL) about the framework of the American legal system.