--- title: "George F.B. Appel | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/george-f-b-appel-judge-snohomish-county-superior-court-1086-wa" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-07-26" --- # George F.B. Appel Snohomish County - Superior Court · Judge ## Profile - Court: Snohomish County - Superior Court - 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=1086&orgid=617) - [Official roster](https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_dir/index.cfm?fa=court_dir.persondetail&indid=1086&orgid=617) - [Washington State Administrative Office of the Courts official judicial roster](https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_dir/index.cfm?fa=court_dir.persondetail&indid=1086&orgid=617) - [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/george-f-b-appel-judge-snohomish-county-superior-court-1086-wa", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/george-f-b-appel-judge-snohomish-county-superior-court-1086-wa", "name": "George F.B. Appel | KnowJudges", "description": "George F.B. Appel, Snohomish County - Superior Court. Source-linked judicial identity, courtroom procedures, and presentation guidance.", "dateModified": "2026-07-26", "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/#website" }, "mainEntity": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/george-f-b-appel-judge-snohomish-county-superior-court-1086-wa#judge" } }, { "@type": "Person", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/george-f-b-appel-judge-snohomish-county-superior-court-1086-wa#judge", "name": "George F.B. Appel", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/george-f-b-appel-judge-snohomish-county-superior-court-1086-wa", "jobTitle": "Judge", "worksFor": { "@type": "GovernmentOrganization", "name": "Snohomish County - Superior Court" }, "sameAs": [ "https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_dir/index.cfm?fa=court_dir.persondetail&indid=1086&orgid=617" ] }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "KnowJudges", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Washington", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/state/washington" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "George F.B. Appel", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/george-f-b-appel-judge-snohomish-county-superior-court-1086-wa" } ] } ] } ``` ## Biography ### Professional career - George F.B. Appel’s career spans over three decades in law, from prosecutorial work to his current role as a Superior Court judge - His contributions to the legal field, community involvement, and continued service on the bench highlight his dedication to justice and public service in Snohomish County, Washington ### Education - Law degree from the University of the Pacific School of Law in 1992. ### Additional information - He successfully filed for re-election in 2016 and was automatically re-elected, as no challengers filed by the deadline. - Elected to the Snohomish County Superior Court bench on November 4, 2008. - That same year, he was admitted to the California Bar, and in 1993, he gained admission to the Washington State Bar, marking the start of his legal career in his home state. - handling a wide range of civil and criminal cases. - Outside the courtroom, Judge Appel is active in his community. - Before joining the bench, Judge Appel served in the Snohomish County Prosecutor’s Office, where he advanced to the position of Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney in the criminal division. - He continues to serve on the Superior Court - Judge Appel is married and has two sons. - Judge George F.B. Appel was raised in Seattle, Washington. - In addition to his judicial duties, he participates in the Law and Justice Committee and is a member of the Washington State Judges Association, contributing to the broader legal community. - He serves on the board of his local YMCA and engages in civic activities that support public service and community development. - His personal and professional life reflects a commitment to both family and public service. ## 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.