Washington state’s Superior Court judges elected Judge John O. Linde secretary of the Superior Court Judges’ Association at the annual spring conference this month.

As treasurer, Linde will serve on the Board of Trustees, which represents 188 Superior Court judges through the state who are members of the state organization.

The superior courts in Washington state are courts of general jurisdiction and have exclusive jurisdiction for felony matters, real property rights, domestic relations, estate, mental illness, juvenile offender and dependency matters, and civil cases over $75,000. The superior courts also hear appeals from courts of limited jurisdiction.

Created by statute in 1933, the Superior Court Judges’ Association is the policy-making board for the Superior Court judges, addressing issues relating to legislation, court administration, and providing the citizens of the state information and education about the judicial branch of government.

Linde was appointed by Gov. Chris Gregoire as San Juan County Superior Court judge, a newly-created full-time position, effective Jan. 1, 2008. He subsequently ran for election in September 2008 and was selected by the voters to continue as judge.

Linde previously served in San Juan County as District Court judge for 21 years, as well as court commissioner and Superior Court judge pro tem. He also served as a Selective Service System board member until his appointment to the Superior Court bench.

He is a past board member of the Inter Island Medical Center, San Juan Community Theatre, San Juan Little League, Friday Harbor Athletic Association, and the San Juan Golf and Country Club. He and his wife, Carol, have been married 37 years. They have two children, Brian and Kristen.