State: Rands couldn’t rule fairly on specific motion in DUI cases

Comments made by newly elected Whatcom County District Court Judge Jonathan Rands shortly after he took office Jan. 9 made the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office question his ability to rule fairly on a specific kind of motion used in DUI cases, according to court documents. It prompted a move by the prosecuting attorney's office to bar Rands from hearing 123 cases.  Prior to being elected judge, Rands had a successful private practice specializing in DUI cases. In November 2022, while Rand