Christine Hayes at a glance
- Current role
- Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Washington · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Christine Hayes
Judge · Clark County - Superior Court
Biography
Professional career
- Christine D. Hayes is a Washington State judge and Superior Court Commissioner in Clark County, appointed in 2024 to fill a new seat created by the Legislature
- City Attorney & Prosecuting Attorney for the City of Battle Ground for nearly five years, advising on ordinances, risk management, civil rights claims, law enforcement reform, land use, annexations, and public meeting records
Education
- Western Washington University — B.A.
- Gonzaga University School of Law — J.D.
Additional information
- Governor Jay Inslee appointed Hayes in August 2024 to the Clark County Superior Court, where she presides over about eight dockets weekly.
- As prosecuting attorney, she handled all misdemeanors and gross misdemeanors for Battle Ground, Ridgefield, and La Center.
- Extensive family law experience, including divorce, parenting plans, child support, parentage, adoptions, relocations, and civil protection orders.
- She has also been active in Inns of Court, a professional association for legal excellence.
- Multiple court committees focused on improving administrative functions and public services, and is co‐chair of the Juvenile Justice Council.
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
Clark 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 ↗