Donald J. Richter at a glance
- Current role
- Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Washington · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Donald J. Richter
Judge · Pacific County - Superior Court
Biography
Professional career
- Chief Deputy Prosecutor, Pacific County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office (2018)
- Judge of the Pacific/Wahkiakum County Superior Court in Washington, appointed by Governor Jay Inslee in December 2018 to replace the retired Hon. Douglas Goelz
- Deputy Prosecutor, Cowlitz County (2017)
- Senior Deputy Prosecutor, Pacific County (2014–2017)
- Mock trial judge for local high school competitions
- Law school internships: Spokane County Prosecutor’s Office
Education
- cum laude, Gonzaga University School of Law — J.D. (2007)
- B.F.A., Arkansas State University, 1999
Additional information
- Earlier roles included Senior Deputy Prosecutor (2014–2017) and Deputy Prosecutor (2017).
- Solo Practitioner in Spokane County (2007–2014)
- focusing on criminal defense
- Rule 9 Legal Intern at Bugbee Law Office
- Born and raised in White County, Arkansas; graduated from Beebe High School.
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
Pacific 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 ↗