Criminal Law Section
The Criminal Law Section seeks the participation of the Bar, including prosecutors and defense counsel, by providing a forum for the exchange of ideas in the areas of criminal law, correction, procedure, and evidence. The section works with pending legislation and development of statutory enactments to improve and facilitate the administration of justice within the criminal arena.
With an equal number of defense and prosecuting attorney positions, the executive board champions the rights of both the accused and victims in the criminal justice system. Activities include publishing a newsletter, as well as assisting with the Criminal Law Institute.
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Upcoming Programs
NEW Webcast! The 32nd Annual Criminal Justice Institute
Presented in partnership with the WSBA Criminal Law Section
Join us online for a full-day program highlighting professionals in the field, academics and practitioners, all lending important perspectives to crucial criminal justice topics in the state of Washington.
When: Sept. 12, 2025
Time: 8:25 a.m.–4:45 p.m. PDT
Credits: 7.00 Law & Legal Procedure
WSBA Criminal Law Section Scholarships for 2025 Criminal Justice Institute
Criteria and Guidelines:
The WSBA Criminal Law Section will award up to 10 tuition scholarships for the 2025 Criminal Justice Institute.
- Five of the scholarships will be awarded to attorneys who are full-time prosecutors or who are closely affiliated with law enforcement.
- Five of the scholarships will be awarded to attorneys who spend 80% or more of their practice dedicated to criminal defense.
Each tuition scholarship recipient will receive a complimentary registration to the program ($275 Standard / $245 Criminal Law Section Members). To be eligible for the scholarships, individuals must meet the following criteria:
- Be an attorney who is currently a member in good standing of the Washington State Bar Association, and
- Submit an electronic Letter of Interest and resume. The applicants should demonstrate or explain a financial need for the scholarship in their request and confirm if they are prosecution or defense.
The selection process will consider broad geographic distribution so as to provide access to those in all areas of the state. Applications must be received no later than 5:00 p.m. PDT on Wednesday, September 3, 2025. All scholarship awardees will be notified by a representative of the Criminal Law Section by Tuesday, September 9, 2025. If you plan to apply for a scholarship, please wait to register for the Institute until awardees have been notified on that date. If you do not receive notice of receiving a scholarship by that date, you will not receive further notice and should make alternative plans for program registration.
To Apply:
If you are interested in applying for the scholarship, please send a brief Letter of Interest and your resume via email to Tracey Munger: mungerlaw@gmail.com, and Nicholas Holce: nholce@holcelawfirm.com. Applications are due no later than 5:00 p.m.PDT on Wednesday, September 3, 2025.
| Tracey Munger Grays Harbor Prosecutor's Office Email: mungerlaw@gmail.com | Nicholas Holce |
On-Demand CLE Programs
The Criminal Law Section has a great list of on-demand CLEs available. Click the following links for more information.
Title | Agenda | Law & Legal | Ethics | Equity Ethics | Other | Total |
| The 30th Annual Criminal Justice Institute | Agenda | 6.25 | 1.00 | 1.50 | 1.75 | 10.50 |
| The 29th Annual Criminal Justice Institute | Agenda | 4.25 | 2.50 | 6.75 |
The Latest Criminal Caselaw Notebook for Free
As a benefit to Criminal Law Section members, download the 2025 Criminal Caselaw Notebook, prepared by the Hon. Ron Kessler. If you are having trouble accessing the documents, contact sections@wsba.org.
Newsletters
Archived issues are available to section members upon request. To request an issue, please email sections@wsba.org.
Executive Committee
Chair: Tracey Munger (acting) (2024-2025) Chair-Elect: Vacant (2024-2025) Immediate Past Chair: Tracey Munger (2024-2025) Secretary/Treasurer: Nicholas Holce (2024-2025) Young Lawyer Liaison*: Vacant Board of Governors Liaisons*: Allison Widney (2024-2025)
*Nonvoting member | At-Large Members Representing Defense: Mary Kay High (2022-2025) At-Large Members Representing Prosecution: Anita Petra (2022-2025) |
Executive Committee Meetings
The Executive Committee of the Criminal Law Section conducts meetings from time to time. As meetings are scheduled, details will appear in the events section of this page.
Please contact committee members for any other details on their upcoming meetings and locations.
Join Our List Serve
To join the section list serve and for general questions, please send your email address and Bar number to sections@wsba.org. For more information and to get involved with the section, please contact the section chair, Tracey Munger.
