--- title: "Brian McDonald | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/brian-mcdonald-judge-king-county-superior-court-11639-wa" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-07-26" --- # Brian McDonald King County - Superior Court · Judge ## Profile - Court: King County - Superior Court - State: Washington - Role: Judge - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-07-26 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## Before you appear - Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed. - Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance. - Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding. ## Courtroom Rules ### photography recording Scope: 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. Evidence excerpt: 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 judge [Washington GR 16, Courtroom Photography and Recording by the News Media](https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_rules/pdf/GR/GA_GR_16_00_00.pdf) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### limitations on recording Scope: statewide If a Washington judge limits courtroom photography or recording, GR 16 requires particularized findings on the record and treats open access as presumed. Evidence excerpt: Open access is presumed; limitations on access must be supported by reasons found by the judge to be sufficiently compelling to outweigh that presumption [Washington GR 16, Courtroom Photography and Recording by the News Media](https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_rules/pdf/GR/GA_GR_16_00_00.pdf) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ## Sources - [Official profile](https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_dir/index.cfm?fa=court_dir.persondetail&indid=11639&orgid=191) - [Official roster](https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_dir/index.cfm?fa=court_dir.persondetail&indid=11639&orgid=191) - [Washington State Administrative Office of the Courts official judicial roster](https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_dir/index.cfm?fa=court_dir.persondetail&indid=11639&orgid=191) - [Washington GR 16, Courtroom Photography and Recording by the News Media](https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_rules/pdf/GR/GA_GR_16_00_00.pdf) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/brian-mcdonald-judge-king-county-superior-court-11639-wa", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/brian-mcdonald-judge-king-county-superior-court-11639-wa", "name": "Brian McDonald | KnowJudges", "description": "Brian McDonald, King County - Superior Court. 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(1988) - in History — Stanford University — B.A. (1984) ### Additional information - In 2025, he also held the role of Assistant Chief Criminal Judge. - Re-election: Won re-election in 2024 without appearing on the ballot - Appointed: August 9, 2019, by Governor Jay Inslee to replace the late Judge Laura Inveen - Recipient of the King County Bar Association’s Outstanding Lawyer Award (2004) - Co-chair of the Washington Pattern Jury Instruction Committee - Judge McDonald serves in Department 48 of the King County Superior Court, where he is the Chief Criminal Judge. - His work includes presiding over criminal trials, motions, and appellate matters, and he is responsible for overseeing the court’s criminal division. - Before joining the court, Judge McDonald had over 25 years with the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, as a senior deputy prosecuting attorney handling both criminal trials and appellate cases, including the prosecution of serial killer Gary Ridgway. - Past co-chair of the King County Superior Court’s Education/Training Committee and Jury Committee ## Published courtroom rules ### Shared court rules - [Washington GR 16, Courtroom Photography and Recording by the News Media](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-7133c6bd26c80972b86e0d31) — 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](https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_rules/pdf/GR/GA_GR_16_00_00.pdf). Collected 2026-07-26.