Name: Debra Burchett
Title: Judge
Court: Cowlitz District Court
County: Cowlitz
Discipline: Censure
Method of Resolution: Supreme Court affirmed
Discipline Date: 05/31/2022
Canons Violated:Canon 1: Rules 1.1 and 1.2 and Canon 2: Rules 2.2, 2.3(A), 2.4(B), 2.5(A), and 2.6(A).
Summary: From an agreed statement of facts, Cowlitz County District Court Judge Debra Burchett stipulated that she violated Canon 1, Rules 1.1 and 1.2, and Canon 2, Rules 2.2, 2.3(A), 2.4(B), 2.5(A), and 2.6(A) of the Code of Judicial Conduct. The stipulation was entered after a Statement of Charges had been filed, and Judge Burchett agreed to a portion of the charges in exchange for a stated discipline. Judge Burchett violated the Code by going off the record during a hearing on a traffic infraction, without giving a reason and dismissing the case, again without giving a reason, when she returned on the record; and by awarding a counterclaim in a case where the defendants had not filed one. The Commission, noting that the judge had been sanctioned the previous year, censured Judge Burchett and recommended a ten-day suspension from office. Judge Burchett also agreed she will not seek reelection at the end of her term nor hold future judicial office without Commission approval. She is required to review the Code of Judicial Conduct within thirty days. The State Supreme Court approved the stipulation and imposed a ten-day suspension without pay.
Case Documents Available:
Certificate of Completion and Order filed 4/25/2025.
Supreme Court Order In re Honorable Debra Burchett Supreme Court No. 202,068-2 filed 7/19/2022.
Stipulation, Agreement and Order of Censure and Recommendation of Suspension filed 5/31/2022.
Amended Notice of Fact-Finding Hearing filed 2/11/2022.
Notice of Fact-Finding Hearing filed 1/21/2022.
Answer of Respondent filed 12/27/2021.
Statement of Charges filed 12/7/2021.