Judge Claire A. Bradley: Professional Background and Legal Expertise

The Hon. Claire A. Bradley is a judge for the Kitsap County District Court in Washington. She was elected to the bench on November 4, 2014, filling a vacancy created by the retirement of the Hon. James Riehl.

Over the course of her judicial career, Bradley was instrumental in creating the Behavioral Health Court, the first mental health court in Kitsap County.

Prior to her election, Bradley served as a Chief Deputy Prosecuting Attorney for the Kitsap County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office (1997 to 2014). During her tenure there, she prosecuted everything from infractions to aggravated first degree murder. She specialized in special assault cases, including felony domestic violence, sexual assault, and crimes against children.

Bradley earned a bachelor’s degree in English and comparative literary studies from Occidental College in 1993. She then completed a J.D. at Seattle University School of Law in 1997.

Her memberships have included the South Kitsap Rotary Club (president), the Kitsap County Domestic Violence Task Force, the Kitsap County United Way Board of Directors (vice president), and the Kitsap Special Assault Investigations and Victim’s Services (chair). She is also a certified trainer for the Federal Law Enforcement Center and the National District Attorneys Association.

She is a recipient of the Woman of Achievement Award from the YWCA (2010), the Unity Award from the YWCA (2003), and the Law Enforcement Memorial Award from the Bremerton Police Department (2002).

Bradley was raised in New Canaan, Connecticut. She currently resides in Port Orchard with her husband and two sons.