Charles W. Johnson at a glance
- Current role
- Associate Chief Justice
- Jurisdiction
- Washington · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Charles W. Johnson
Associate Chief Justice · Supreme Court of Washington
Biography
Professional career
- Current role: Associate Chief Justice, Washington State Supreme Court, serving until 2027
- Judge, Washington Supreme Court, 1991-present
- Charles William Johnson is the Associate Chief Justice of the Washington State Supreme Court and the longest‐serving justice in the court’s history, having served since January 1, 1991
- In 2023, he surpassed Mark A. Fullerton to become the longest‐serving justice in Washington state history
- He co‐chaired the Washington State Minority and Justice Commission (1994–2018) and served on various judicial and community boards
- Became Associate Chief Justice in 2017
Education
- B.A. from the University of Washington in 1974 and his J.D. from the University of Puget Sound School of Law (now Seattle University School of Law) in 1976, working through law school while employed at a Tacoma lumber mill.
Additional information
- Re‐elected in 1996, 2002, 2008, 2014, and 2020; his current term runs until 2027.
- Recognitions include the 2012 John J. McAulay Legal Educator Award, the William O. Douglas Award (2011), and multiple public service awards.
- Johnson has taught State Constitutional Law at Seattle University (1995–2010) and remains a Distinguished Jurist in Residence.
- Practitioner, 1990-1990
- Elected to the Washington Supreme Court in 1990, succeeding Keith M. Callow.
- Born March 16, 1951.
- Date of birth: 1951-04-16
- He is the first graduate of Seattle University School of Law to be elected to the Washington Supreme Court.
- He has authored multiple updates on Washington search and seizure law with Seattle University students.
- Johnson was born in Tacoma, Washington, and attended Curtis High School in University Place.
- Residence: Gig Harbor, Washington.
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
Supreme Court of Washington
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 August 22, 2026.
Biography sources checked October 11, 2026.
Washington State Courts official judicial roster
Identity source · HTML · Source checked August 22, 2026
View Washington State Courts official judicial roster ↗CourtListener judicial biographical directory
Identity source · HTML · Source checked August 2, 2026
View CourtListener judicial biographical directory ↗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 ↗