Judge Kristin Ferrera

06/03/2026

Chelan County’s network is still down. Our emails and phones are not working. We continue to figure out more workarounds and so we are operating court as normally as possible. I will provide an update when we are back online completely. In the meantime, the best way to reach us is to come by the courthouse or email us at [email protected] 

Thank you for your patience!

05/27/2026

Chelan County Superior Court is operating but on a more limited basis. Assume that your case is going to be heard as scheduled unless you hear otherwise from court staff. Our filing system, emails and phones are still down. If you need to reach the court for any reason please do not message any of the judges directly, but you can email [email protected]

05/25/2026

We are having court tomorrow but it might be on a more limited basis. Our filing system, emails and phones are down for now. If you need to reach the court for any reason please do not message any of the judges directly, but you can email [email protected]
I will provide updated information as I have it.

Chelan County’s networks have been hacked by malware. This impacts all departments within Chelan County government. As a precaution, we have shut down our network, computers and telephone system across all departments. Our IT department is working closely with our security partners to bring the system back up; however, we have no timeline on when this will happen.

The malware was detected at about 10 a.m. this morning by Chelan County IT. At this time, we do not know the extent or the full scope of the damage. Because offices are closed on Monday, we expect to have an update for you on Tuesday.

If you have an emergency, you can call Rivercom 911. This problem should not slow down responses to calls by the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office. Everbridge notifications are still active but may have slight delays because we will be going through a third party.

If you have critical business with one of our departments, please come in and speak with someone in that department during our regular hours.

Chelan County Sheriff's Office Chelan County Government Chelan County Public Works Ohme Gardens Chelan County Fair

05/02/2026

May 1 is Law Day. This day is dedicated to honoring the rule of law, the legal system, and the rights and liberties established by the U.S. Constitution. Established in 1958 by President Eisenhower, it highlights how law impacts society and fosters equality, aiming to cultivate a deeper understanding of legal processes and justice. Last year, we held a renewal of the attorney oath on the courthouse steps in honor of law day. This is the oath that all Washington State attorneys take upon entry to the bar:
“I do solemnly declare:
1. I am fully subject to the laws of the State of Washington and the laws of the United States and
will abide by the same.
2. I will support the constitution of the State of Washington and the constitution of the United
States.
3. I will abide by the Rules of Professional Conduct approved by the Supreme Court of the State of
Washington.
4. I will maintain the respect due to the courts of justice and judicial officers.
5. I will not counsel, or maintain any suit, or proceeding, which shall appear to me to be unjust or
any defense except as I believe to be honestly debatable under the law, unless it is in defense of
a person charged with a public offense. I will employ for the purpose of maintaining the causes
confided to me only those means consistent with truth and honor. I will never seek to mislead
the judge or jury by any artifice or false statement.
6. I will maintain the confidence and preserve inviolate the secrets of my client, and will accept no
compensation in connection with the business of my client unless this compensation is from or
with the knowledge and approval of the client or with the approval of the court.
7. I will abstain from all offensive personalities, and advance no fact prejudicial to the honor or
reputation of a party or witness unless required by the justice of the cause with which I am
charged.
8. I will never reject, from any consideration personal to myself, the cause of the defenseless or
oppressed, or delay unjustly the cause of any person.”
It is a good reminder to keep the oath close to you as an attorney and a judge to ensure that we all abide by these important principles.

04/27/2026

The Supreme Court races this year are incredibly important. There are four contested races! The Washington state Supreme Court makes important decisions that impact our daily lives. I encourage you to take every opportunity to learn about the candidates. 

Judicial elections consistently see low voter participation, but that can change with better information and engagement. On Monday, April 27, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., on behalf of Seattle U Law's Center for Civil Rights and Critical Justice, Professor Jessica Levin will be moderating a Washington Supreme Court candidate forum hosted by Yakima County Democrats, held via Zoom webinar. This forum is an opportunity to hear directly from the candidates about their judicial philosophies and priorities. Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_mFTmDrq7QLmLQC5n-7dxeg #/registration

04/03/2026

Protection Orders

If you are seeking an emergency protection order, you can request one on an ex parte basis—meaning without the other party being present or notified.

📸 This photo shows the door at judges’ chambers with instructions on how to submit documents for different types of orders.

Many people don’t realize there are different types of protection orders—each designed for specific situations. Here’s a quick overview:

🔹 Domestic Violence Protection Orders (DVPO): For abuse or threats by an intimate partner or family/household member, including coercive control.

🔹 Sexual Assault Protection Orders (SAPO): For victims of nonconsensual sexual conduct—even a single incident is enough.

🔹 Anti-Harassment Protection Orders (AHPO): For unwanted behavior that seriously alarms or causes emotional distress with no lawful purpose (these are generally heard in district court).

🔹 Stalking Protection Orders (SPO): For conduct that causes fear, intimidation, or disruption—even if the person claims no intent to harm.

🔹 Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPO): Used to temporarily restrict firearm access when someone poses a significant risk of harm.

🔹 Vulnerable Adult Protection Orders (VAPO): To protect vulnerable adults from abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation.

Additional protections may apply in specific situations, including:
✔️ Family law restraining orders (during divorce/parenting cases)
✔️ Criminal no-contact orders (issued after charges are filed)
✔️ Orders protecting abused children or enforcing out-of-country protections

Each type serves a different purpose—but all are aimed at safety and prevention.

If you’re not sure which applies, court staff and legal resources can help guide you to the right option.

King County put together a helpful resource page that you can access here: https://cdn.kingcounty.gov/-/media/king-county/depts/dja/po/which-cpo-is-right-pao.pdf?rev=09207f2fb5bf4c00a22ab5be2fecb7f8&hash=D15D5291E2F19B6B55B969E49F4895C1

03/30/2026

Family law trials are usually very stressful for all involved.

Did you know that Washington state allows two different types of family law trials? You can proceed with a traditional trial or an informal family law trial.

An Informal Family Law Trial (IFLTs) under General Rule 40 is an option designed to make the process more accessible, efficient, and less adversarial.

What is an Informal Family Law Trial?
An IFLT is available when both parties agree and the court approves. It can be used to resolve issues like parenting plans, child support, or other family law matters.

How is it different from a traditional trial?

• More conversational: Instead of formal questioning by attorneys, the judge often asks most of the questions directly.

• Limited cross-examination: Parties are generally not cross-examined unless the court allows it.

• Flexible evidence rules: The court may consider information that wouldn’t typically be admitted under strict rules of evidence. (No worrying about hearsay objections.)

• Fewer witnesses: Rather than live testimony from many witnesses, parties can submit written statements (declarations). (These are normally not considered in traditional trials.) As a sidenote – – Guardian Ad Litems are still allowed to testify.

• Streamlined process: These trials are usually shorter, simpler, and less formal than traditional trials.

What stays the same?
The judge still hears the evidence, applies the law, and makes binding decisions that affect families and children.

Important to know:
Choosing an informal trial requires agreement by both parties and includes waiving certain procedural protections that apply in traditional trials.

IFLTs are one more way courts are working to improve access to justice—while still ensuring fair and thoughtful decision-making. The attached link includes the form you fill out to request an IFLT and also a fact sheet detailing the difference between the two types of trials.https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_rules/pdf/GR/GA_GR_40_00_00.pdf

03/27/2026

Helpful Resources for Navigating Washington Courts

If you are representing yourself—or just trying to better understand the court process—here are two trusted websites that can help:

🔗 Washington Courts Self-Help: https://www.courts.wa.gov/self-help/

This site is designed to help people navigate the court system without a lawyer. It includes:
✔️ Court forms
✔️ Step-by-step guides (including appeals)
✔️ Legal term definitions
✔️ Links to court-related resources

🔗 Washington Law Help: https://www.washingtonlawhelp.org/
Maintained by Northwest Justice Project, this website provides tools and information to help you understand and manage legal problems in Washington State. It offers:
✔️ Plain-language explanations of legal issues
✔️ Step-by-step instructions for common legal problems
✔️ Free online tools to help complete forms
✔️ Information about how to get legal help

⚖️ These resources are especially helpful for people who are representing themselves, but they can also be useful for anyone wanting to better understand court processes.

As always, these sites provide general legal information—not legal advice.

Washington Law Help is your public library for legal information in Washington State. Our tools and information help you understand and manage your legal problems.

03/27/2026

📌 Welcome to this page

This account shares general information about court processes and attempts to improve understanding of how the legal system works.

A few important notes:

⚖️ No Legal Advice
The information shared here is for educational purposes only. It is not legal advice and cannot address individual situations.

⚖️ Ethical Responsibilities
Judges are required to remain fair and impartial. Because of this, I cannot comment on:
• Pending or impending cases
• Specific fact situations
• Questions about how a case may be decided

⚖️ Messages & Case-Specific Questions
Please do not send direct messages about specific cases. Judges cannot respond to or engage in discussions about individual matters outside of the courtroom.

⚖️ Comments & Moderation
To comply with judicial ethics rules, comments may be removed and commenting may be limited or turned off if:
• A current case is discussed
• Someone seeks advice about a specific legal matter
• A comment could impact fairness or impartiality

Comments that criticize a specific judicial officer or decision are not appropriate for this page and are not a method for filing a complaint.

⚖️ Concerns About a Judge
If you have concerns about a judicial officer, those concerns must be directed through the proper channels:
• The presiding judge in the county where the judicial officer serves, or
• The Commission on Judicial Conduct

These steps are necessary to protect the integrity of the court process for everyone.

Thank you for helping keep this space informative, respectful, and appropriate.

01/20/2026

It bears repeating over and over again:

As we start our week honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., I want to add to the remembrances of why we celebrate this phenomenal individual:
“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.”
Martin Luther King Jr., Letter from the Birmingham Jail

We must constantly strive for justice for all.