Larson criticizes court procedural changes, says courts should 'intervene the very first time' defendants appear

At the Campaign and Election (TVW) event, Dave Larson argued the justice system needs earlier, smarter interventions in criminal cases rather than simply being "tougher" or "softer" on crime. "We don't need to be tougher on crime or softer on crime. We need to be smarter on crime," Larson said, pressing for policies that act at the first court appearance.

Larson also singled out a recent procedural proposal, saying it would "make it almost impossible to issue a warrant if somebody doesn't show up for court." He presented that change as emblematic of how court rules—rather than legislative action—can alter on-the-ground criminal-justice procedures, referencing the transcript citation to "RCW 2.0 4.100" to discuss the rule/statute relationship.

Larson tied those procedural concerns to broader questions of public order and the courts' ability to protect constitutional rights, saying the court system's rules shape whether trial courts can keep society moving and ensure public safety.