---
title: "David Stevens | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/david-stevens-judge-mason-county-superior-court-308-wa"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-07-26"
---

# David Stevens

Mason County - Superior Court · Judge

## Profile

- Court: Mason County - Superior Court
- State: Washington
- Role: Judge
- Service status: active
- Last verified: 2026-07-26

## 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/court_dir/index.cfm?fa=court_dir.persondetail&indid=308&orgid=514)
- [Official roster](https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_dir/index.cfm?fa=court_dir.persondetail&indid=308&orgid=514)
- [Washington State Administrative Office of the Courts official judicial roster](https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_dir/index.cfm?fa=court_dir.persondetail&indid=308&orgid=514)
- [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)

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## 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)



## 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.
