Carolyn M. Jewett-Platts at a glance
- Current role
- Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Washington · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Carolyn M. Jewett-Platts
Judge · San Juan County - District Court
Biography
Professional career
- Carolyn Jewett has held the role of the sole District Court judge in San Juan County since 2018
- Carolyn M. Jewett‐Platts is the presiding judge of San Juan County District Court in Friday Harbor, Washington
- Before joining the bench, she worked as a deputy prosecuting attorney in the San Juan County District Court.
Education
Additional information
- overseeing civil and criminal cases in the county’s only district court.
- Under Washington GR 16, media may record or photograph in the courtroom only with the judge’s explicit permission.
- The court provides remote appearance options for certain hearings, including protection order cases.
- Campaign site: Carolyn Jewett for Judge
- She has stated that she does not maintain a private legal practice while serving, allowing her to focus fully on judicial duties.
- Jewett emphasizes fairness, integrity, and respect in all cases, believing that “every case matters, regardless of its size” and that all individuals deserve dignified treatment in court.
- The courtroom in her jurisdiction features a quote from Alexander Hamilton in The Federalist No. 17 about the importance of fair justice in fostering public respect for government.
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
San Juan County - District 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 ↗