David Stevens at a glance
- Current role
- Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Washington · State
- Judicial service
- Active
David Stevens
Judge · Mason County - Superior Court
Biography
Professional career
- Judicial roles: Mason County Superior Court Judge (elected November 2023; re‐elected 2024) Candidate for Washington Supreme Court Position 3 (2026)
- No incumbent in the race due to Justice Raquel Montoya‐Lewis leaving the seat
- David Stevens (also listed as David Stevens y Perez) is a Washington judge with a long career in prosecution, public defense, federal service, and international legal work
Education
- University of Washington School of Law (Mary Ellen Krug Scholarship recipient) — J.D.
Additional information
- He currently serves on the Mason County Superior Court and is running for the Washington Supreme Court in the 2026 election
- Senior Deputy Prosecutor, Mason County Chief Public Defender, Colville Confederated Tribes Federal Civil Rights Investigator (HUD) Special Assistant U.S. Attorney (Eastern District of California) International Prosecutor in Kosovo Justice Advisor in Afghanistan Over 200 criminal jury trials across his career
- Stevens describes himself as a textualist, citing Justices Scalia and Alito as influences
- He emphasizes judicial restraint and argues that courts should avoid policymaking, focusing strictly on constitutional text and original meaning
- Earned two Good Conduct Medals and an Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (Operation Earnest Will)
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
Mason 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 ↗