--- title: "Colleen M. Melody | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/colleen-melody-justice-supreme-court-11701-wa" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-08-22" --- # Colleen M. Melody Supreme Court of Washington · Justice ## Profile - Court: Supreme Court of Washington - State: Washington - Role: Justice - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-08-22 ## 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/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) - [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/colleen-melody-justice-supreme-court-11701-wa", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/colleen-melody-justice-supreme-court-11701-wa", "name": "Colleen M. 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Melody ### Education - Melody is a graduate of the University of Washington (BA) and the University of Washington School of Law (JD, valedictorian). ### Additional information - Currently running in a special general election on November 3, 2026, to serve out the remainder of Yu’s term. - Melody assumes Position 1 on the Washington Supreme Court, with a term ending January 11, 2027. - Legal Foundation of Washington’s Charles A. Goldmark Award (2018) - Efforts to end birthright citizenship and repeal DACA - Prior to leading the state’s Civil Rights Division, she was a trial attorney in the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington, D.C., bringing lawsuits against discrimination based on race, color, national origin, sex, religion, and disability. - Born and raised in Spokane, Washington, Melody lives in rural Western Washington with her husband and two daughters. - In interviews, she has described herself as a “nerd” who enjoys research, writing, and the technical aspects of legal arguments. ## 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.