Elisabeth Tutsch at a glance
- Current role
- Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Washington · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Elisabeth Tutsch
Judge · Yakima County - Superior Court
Biography
Professional career
- Previous role: Commissioner of the Yakima County Superior Court since 2017
- Elisabeth M. Tutsch is a judge of the Yakima County Superior Court in Washington, appointed in 2020 by Governor Jay Inslee to fill the vacancy left by Hon. Michael McCarthy
Education
- University of Washington School of Law — J.D. (1997)
- Andrews University — B.A.
Additional information
- Appointment: 2020, by Governor Jay Inslee, succeeding Hon. Michael McCarthy
- Early career: Staff attorney at Columbia Legal Services (1997–2004) handling family law, housing, and consumer protection cases Senior attorney at Northwest Justice Project (2004–2017) in housing, public benefits, and family law
- Community service: Founding board member of Rod’s House youth shelter (2004–2016) Board member for Yakima Volunteer Attorney Services, Yakima Hardcore Runners, and La Casa Hogar Past president of Yakima County Bar Association
- Judge Tutsch’s career blends legal expertise in family, housing, and public benefits law with extensive community service.
- overseeing family law, unlawful detainer, and probate cases
- Her judicial work focuses on family matters, probate, and related cases, and she is recognized for her prior leadership in legal and nonprofit organizations.
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
Yakima 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 ↗