Pasco Welcomes New Municipal Court Judge

Pasco City Council recently voted to confirm Carlos D. Villarreal as Municipal Court Judge for a term that lasts from January 1, 2026 to December 31, 2029. Villarreal will replace Judge Craig Stilwill, who served from 2018-2025.
 
The Pasco Municipal Court hears cases involving misdemeanor crimes, traffic infractions, parking tickets, and other similar matters. The Municipal Court Judge also supervises Court staff and selects a Judge Pro Tem, who presides over the court when the Judge is unavailable. The judge is appointed by the City Manager and confirmed by the City Council.
 
During his tenure, Judge Stilwill launched the Court Community Resource Program, which helps connect people facing challenges such as homelessness, mental health conditions, and substance abuse with needed services. Stilwill implemented changes to court processes that were intended to improve the experience of people involved in the criminal justice system. He also created a probation supervisor position, restructuring the department to help people complete probation successfully.  
 
Pasco City Manager Harold Stewart appointed Judge Villarreal after interviewing five candidates from across the region. Villarreal is an experienced attorney who has served as a Judge Pro Tem since 2011 and currently operates his own law practice focused on criminal defense and complex, family-based immigration matters.