Dwayne L. Christopher at a glance
- Current role
- Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Washington · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Dwayne L. Christopher
Judge · Pierce County - District Court
Biography
Professional career
- Current Pierce County District Court Judge in Tacoma, Washington, serving since 2022, with prior judicial and legal experience in the state
- Previous judicial roles: Tacoma Municipal Court Judge (2019–2022) Judge Pro Tempore, Pierce County District Court
- held the role of a Judicial Assistant in Pierce County Superior Court for the late Judge Brian Tollefson
- Volunteer teacher for Street Law at Pierce County high schools
Education
- Seattle University School of Law — J.D.
- cum laude in Business Administration — Morehouse College, Atlanta, GA — B.A.
Additional information
- United Way Live United Award
- Marilyn Holzman Humanitarian Award (Tacoma Pierce County Bar Association)
- Service to Diversity Award (Tacoma Pierce County Bar Association)
- Mentor to students via Palmer Scholars board and Seattle University Moot Court competitions
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
Pierce County - District 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 ↗