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# Superior Criminal Court August 14, 2026: Negotiated Alternatives
- URL: https://www.jeffcobeacon.com/superior-criminal-court-august-14-2026-negotiated-alternatives/
- Published: 2026-08-18T23:05:37.000Z
- Updated: 2026-08-18T23:05:37.000Z
- Description: How local courts are reckoning with “tough on crime” narratives.
- Author: Angela Michelle Downs
- Tags: local-news, Jefferson County Superior Court, Criminal court, Angela Downs

JEFFERSON COUNTY, WA — In a system that encourages accountability but is built to punish, it is important that the courts work to reduce the severity of a penalty or limit financial losses.

In the Jefferson County court system we often see diversions like behavioral health and drug court, that invest in rehabilitation. We also see negotiated alternatives, like the 2025 sentencing of Chloe Baldwin, who had a review hearing on August 14\. 

With the long pervasive and persuasive “tough on crime” narrative of the Nixon and Clinton era, decades later those in the criminal legal system are starting to ask if causing harm to reduce harm is a sustainable way forward.

It can be frustrating for a system designed to see actions as either right or wrong to function in the gray area of the human condition. 

Sentencing has nuance. Built in modulations like intent, age, disability, emotional state and past record all play a role. There are also [aggravating factors](https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/mitigating%5Fcircumstances?ref=jeffcobeacon.com), meaning the circumstances surrounding a crime can raise sentencing severity based on but not limited to a lack of remorse, the amount of harm to the victim or committing the crime in front of a child.

The divisiveness between the prosecution and the defense may be under restoration in Jefferson County. The two sides often see a crossover in the clientele; victims becoming perpetrators and perpetrators becoming victims, and in conversations with the Beacon over the last six months, both have stated they aim to focus on the human at the center of it all. 

**Arraignments:**

Jordan Lilja was arrested on August 10 for domestic violence, driving under the influence and violation of a court order. He was assigned Scott Charlton with Jefferson Associated Counsel (JAC) as his defense counsel, and pleaded not guilty. His omnibus hearing will be October 9, pretrial on October 30 and trial the week of November 9\. 

Anthony Scholl was arrested on August 9 for attempting to elude a pursuing police vehicle. He was assigned Richard Davies with JAC as his defense counsel and pleaded not guilty. Davies asked the judge to amend the conditions of his release to allow Scholl to move to Oregon for school. Davies also entered a waiver of extradition; meaning Scholl gave up his rights to challenge the transfer, contest the paperwork, or ask for a habeas corpus review—a process where the court checks if detention is legal. 

His omnibus hearing will be September 18, pretrial on October 30 and trial the week of November 11.

**Updates:**

Samantha Mardock, accused of attempted murder of her father in the first degree with a deadly weapon, was represented by Richard Davies standing in for attorney Lillian Powers. He entered an order for a change of plea and her change of plea hearing and sentencing is scheduled for Friday August 21\. 

Chloe Baldwin was sentenced on August 8, 2025 to a special sex offender sentencing alternative of 87 months, suspended for five years—meaning, if Baldwin did not follow the conditions of the five year sentencing alternative, she will serve an additional 27 months for a total of 87 months in prison. Her review hearing was continued to August 21.

Nathan Brader was arrested on February 3 for defrauding an innkeeper by allegedly impersonating a guest at the Tides Inn and Suites. The court ruled to quash his bench warrant. His omnibus hearing will be October 9, pretrial on October 30, and trial the week of November 9.

At Gaige Reading’s pretrial hearing, his attorney Lane Wolfley asked for a two week extension for continued investigation needed for his two cases. Prosecuting attorney Holly Graham recommended striking both trial dates and setting a status hearing for next week for entry of the speedy trial waivers. The court granted the change and set a status hearing for August 21.