--- title: "Faye R. Chess | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/faye-r-chess-judge-king-county-municipal-courts-seattle-2201-wa" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-07-26" --- # Faye R. Chess King County - Municipal Courts - Seattle · Judge ## Profile - Court: King County - Municipal Courts - Seattle - 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=2201&orgid=242) - [Official roster](https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_dir/index.cfm?fa=court_dir.persondetail&indid=2201&orgid=242) - [Washington State Administrative Office of the Courts official judicial roster](https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_dir/index.cfm?fa=court_dir.persondetail&indid=2201&orgid=242) - [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) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/faye-r-chess-judge-king-county-municipal-courts-seattle-2201-wa", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/faye-r-chess-judge-king-county-municipal-courts-seattle-2201-wa", "name": "Faye R. 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Chess", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/faye-r-chess-judge-king-county-municipal-courts-seattle-2201-wa" } ] } ] } ``` ## Biography ### Professional career - Elected judge of the Seattle Municipal Court, serving from January 2023 to January 2027, with a career spanning over two decades in law, public service, and community leadership - Deputy General Counsel & Interim General Counsel for Seattle Housing Authority - Chess’s work contributes to the court’s mission of delivering fair, equitable, and efficient justice in Seattle - She has also been an instructor for multiple legal, HR, and youth justice programs, and is a graduate of the National Institute for Trial Advocacy ### Education - J.D. from University of Cincinnati College of Law Member of the Washington State Bar Association, Federal Bar of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington, and Loren Miller Bar Association. ### Additional information - She was re‐elected in November 2022 for a term ending January 11, 2027. - Appointed to the Seattle Municipal Court in April 2018 after serving as a magistrate, and was first elected in November 2018. - Before joining the municipal court, Chess served over 22 years as a Judge Pro Tempore in King County District Court. - Assigned to General Trial Courtroom KCJ2. - Seattle Municipal Court judges handle jury trials, pretrial hearings, sentencing, arraignments, bench trials, and marriage ceremonies. - Active in Greater Seattle Chapter of Links, Inc., Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, and Jack and Jill of America, and has served on boards for Amara (Medina Children Services), Mediation Services for Victims and Offenders, and Park Lake/White Center Boys and Girls’ Club. ## 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.