--- title: "George B. Fearing | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/george-b-fearing-8447" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-08-02" --- # George B. Fearing Court of Appeals of Washington · Judge ## Profile - Court: Court of Appeals of Washington - State: Washington - Role: Judge - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-06-30 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## 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. ## 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.courtlistener.com/person/8447/george-b-fearing/) - [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8447/george-b-fearing/) - [Court of Appeals of Washington current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8447/george-b-fearing/) - [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) - [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8447/george-b-fearing/) - [Washington State Courts - Members of the Court of Appeals Div III Bio - Judge George B. Fearing](https://www.courts.wa.gov/appellate_trial_courts/bios?fa=atc_bios.display&folderid=div3&fileID=Fearing) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/george-b-fearing-8447", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/george-b-fearing-8447", "name": "George B. Fearing | KnowJudges", "description": "George B. Fearing, Court of Appeals of Washington. Source-linked judicial identity, courtroom procedures, and presentation guidance.", "dateModified": "2026-08-02", "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/#website" }, "mainEntity": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/george-b-fearing-8447#judge" } }, { "@type": "Person", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/george-b-fearing-8447#judge", "name": "George B. 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