--- title: "Charles W. Johnson | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/charles-w-johnson-associate-chief-justice-supreme-court-96-wa" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-08-22" --- # Charles W. Johnson Supreme Court of Washington · Associate Chief Justice ## Profile - Court: Supreme Court of Washington - State: Washington - Role: Associate Chief Justice - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-08-22 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## 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. ## 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/appellate_trial_courts/supremecourt/?fa=supremecourt.justices) - [Official roster](https://www.courts.wa.gov/appellate_trial_courts/supremecourt/?fa=supremecourt.justices) - [Washington State Courts official judicial roster](https://www.courts.wa.gov/appellate_trial_courts/supremecourt/?fa=supremecourt.justices) - [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/5984/charles-w-johnson/) - [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) - [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/5984/charles-w-johnson/) - [Wikidata: Charles W. Johnson](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q5083216) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/charles-w-johnson-associate-chief-justice-supreme-court-96-wa", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/charles-w-johnson-associate-chief-justice-supreme-court-96-wa", "name": "Charles W. Johnson | KnowJudges", "description": "Charles W. Johnson, Supreme Court of Washington. Source-linked judicial identity, courtroom procedures, and presentation guidance.", "dateModified": "2026-08-22", "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/#website" }, "mainEntity": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/charles-w-johnson-associate-chief-justice-supreme-court-96-wa#judge" } }, { "@type": "Person", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/charles-w-johnson-associate-chief-justice-supreme-court-96-wa#judge", "name": "Charles W. 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Johnson", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/charles-w-johnson-associate-chief-justice-supreme-court-96-wa" } ] } ] } ``` ## 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.