Andrew M. Howell at a glance
- Current role
- Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Washington · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Andrew M. Howell
Judge · Benton County - Superior Court
Biography
Professional career
- Andrew Howell is a newly appointed Benton & Franklin Counties Superior Court Judge in Washington State, appointed by Governor Bob Ferguson on April 15, 2026, with his term beginning June 1, 2026
- Andrew Howell previously held the role of a Superior Court Commissioner for Benton & Franklin Counties beginning in 2022, presiding over civil and juvenile criminal dockets
- Over a decade at the Benton County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office Six years as Chief Deputy of the Juvenile Division Prosecuted complex felony cases
Education
- Law degree: University of Montana School of Law
Additional information
- handling family law, probate, guardianship, and juvenile matters
- Active on judicial committees including Law Day and criminal law groups
- He succeeds Judge Diana Ruff, who resigned mid‐term.
- He is described as an amateur cook, gravel bike enthusiast, and “poor excuse for a fly‐fisherman.”
Applicable Court Rules & Procedures
Recording and broadcasting
Statewide
Washington GR 16 allows video recording, audio recording, and still photography by the news media in courtrooms only after the judge has expressly granted permission.
Video and audio recording and still photography by the news media are allowed in the courtroom during and between sessions, provided (1) that permission shall have first been expressly granted by the judgeWashington GR 16, Courtroom Photography and Recording by the News Media ↗
Statewide
If a Washington judge limits courtroom photography or recording, GR 16 requires particularized findings on the record and treats open access as presumed.
Open access is presumed; limitations on access must be supported by reasons found by the judge to be sufficiently compelling to outweigh that presumptionWashington GR 16, Courtroom Photography and Recording by the News Media ↗
Published courtroom rules
Shared court rules
Washington GR 16, Courtroom Photography and Recording by the News Media
Benton County - Superior Court; Franklin County - Superior Court
Scope is limited to the court class in the source claim. Shared court context only; case-type restrictions, exceptions, later amendments and case orders apply. This is not a personal preference or a complete rules inventory.
Official source ↗ · Collected 2026-07-26Sources
Identity source checked July 26, 2026.
Biography sources checked October 11, 2026.
Washington State Administrative Office of the Courts official judicial roster
Identity source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Washington State Administrative Office of the Courts official judicial roster ↗Washington GR 16, Courtroom Photography and Recording by the News Media
Statewide source · PDF · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Washington GR 16, Courtroom Photography and Recording by the News Media ↗