Kaestner is an “almost native” of Everett, having moved here from California at the age of three. She earned both her bachelor and law degree from the University of Washington, and gained a deep interest in helping people in crisis after taking part in the university’s Criminal Law Clinic.
After this, she “saw how her skills could play an important role in levelling the playing field of justice,” and decided that her next move would be to return to Everett and begin her legal career as a public defender. She has now served a voice for some of the most vulnerable individuals in Snohomish County over the past 17 years.
Kaestner says that her experience has a public defender gave her a deeper understanding of how criminal behavior can stem from untreated mental illness, substance abuse, and other factors.
“The community court can provide the kind of structure, individualized attention, and continuity of both care and monitoring necessary to disrupt the cycle of repeated contacts with law enforcement and the justice system,” said Kaestner. “However, the threat of jail time is sometimes a necessary motivating force.”
Kaestner says she is looking forward to working with Presiding Judge Laura Van Slyck in expanding the important work of the Mental Health Alternatives Program (MAP). She has prior experience working in the District and Municipal Courts of Snohomish County, which she feels has prepared her for the next role she is going to take on with Everett.
Kaestner will begin as presiding judge full-time after the certification of the election on Nov. 28.
In the interim, the Everett City Council last week approved Mayor Stephanson’s recommendation that Kaestner be appointed as interim Municipal Court Judge, following Judge Thomas Wynne’s retirement at the end of October.
November 6, 2017
Everett Government