George B. Fearing at a glance
- Current role
- Judge
- Current assignment
- Court of Appeals of Washington
- Jurisdiction
- Washington · State
- Judicial service
- Active
George B. Fearing
Judge · Court of Appeals of Washington
Biography
Professional career
- Judge George B. Fearing is a nonpartisan judge of Division III, District 2 of the Washington Court of Appeals, serving since June 24, 2013, and re‐elected in 2022
- Judge, Court of Appeals of Washington, 2013-present
- Fearing has been outspoken on justice system issues
Education
- J.D., University of Washington School of Law, 1982 He held the role of Alumni President of Walla Walla University and was named Alumnus of the Decade for the 1970s in 2013.
- in Business Administration, Walla Walla University — B.A. (1979)
- University of Washington-Seattle Campus — J.D.
Additional information
- His term runs through January 1, 2026.
- Voters retained him in 2013 and 2016, and he won re‐election in 2022 with 98.8% of the vote.
- In a 2019 dissent in State v.
- Began his tenure on June 24, 2013, appointed by then‐Governor Jay Inslee to succeed retired Judge Dennis Sweeney.
- He covers nine southeastern Washington counties as the sole judge in Position 2 of Division III.
- Vaile, he criticized racial bias in police and prosecutorial conduct, calling the case “a primer on racial prejudice inside America’s justice system” and noting systemic over‐response to accusations against people of color.
- Before joining the court, Fearing practiced law in the Tri‐Cities for 31 years with the same firm, specializing in representing municipal corporations, law enforcement officers, and handling commercial and employment litigation.
- He also handled over 90 appeals as a litigator.
- He was on the Board of Directors of Tri‐City Junior Academy and has been a Presidential Elector.
- Fearing has served in various church roles, including adult and child teacher, religious liberty director, and board member.
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
Court of Appeals of Washington
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 June 30, 2026.
Biography sources checked October 11, 2026.
Court of Appeals of Washington current judicial profile
Identity source · HTML · Source checked August 2, 2026
View Court of Appeals of Washington current judicial profile ↗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 ↗