---
title: "Haley W. Sebens | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/haley-w-sebens-commissioner-skagit-county-superior-court-11622-wa"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-07-26"
---

# Haley W. Sebens

Skagit County - Superior Court · Commissioner

## Profile

- Court: Skagit County - Superior Court
- State: Washington
- Role: Commissioner
- 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=11622&orgid=595)
- [Official roster](https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_dir/index.cfm?fa=court_dir.persondetail&indid=11622&orgid=595)
- [Washington State Administrative Office of the Courts official judicial roster](https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_dir/index.cfm?fa=court_dir.persondetail&indid=11622&orgid=595)
- [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)

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## Biography

### Professional career

- Haley Wolcott Sebens is a Skagit County Superior Court Judge in Washington, appointed in October 2026 to a new seat created by a legislative expansion of the court
- As a judge, she will have broader authority than her previous role as a Superior Court Commissioner

### Education


### Additional information

- Governor Bob Ferguson appointed Sebens to the Skagit County Superior Court bench, effective January 1, 2026, filling the first new judicial position in the county since 2006.
- The appointment was made possible by a law signed earlier in 2026 expanding the court to five judges.
- Sebens is active in Burlington Rotary, the Big W Club, Teen Court, and the PTA, and is a 2024 Leadership Skagit graduate.
- Trial attorney with over 80 jury trials; argued cases at the Washington Court of Appeals and Washington Supreme Court.
- Public Defender for gross misdemeanor and misdemeanor cases, and representing parents in the child welfare system.
- handling a wider range of cases.
- Governor Ferguson praised her “passion, legal expertise, and deep knowledge of the Skagit County Superior Court”.
- held the role of judge pro tem in municipal and district courts, including Snohomish District Court, Ferndale, and Lynnwood.
- Skagit County Prosecutor’s Office for more than 10 years, including as Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney, specializing in felony cases involving women and children, domestic violence, sexual assault, and other serious crimes.
- This is the first expansion of Skagit County’s Superior Court bench in 20 years, driven by a documented need for more judicial resources as the county’s population and case filings have grown.
- She also mentors youth and participates in legal profession outreach.



## 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.