Indu Thomas at a glance
- Current role
- Chief Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Washington · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Indu Thomas
Chief Judge · Thurston County - Superior Court
Biography
Professional career
- Superior Court Commissioner for Thurston County, Washington, appointed in 2007 and serving on a trial rotation, with a background in public service, law, and advocacy
- Assistant Attorney General for the Washington State Office of the Attorney General (1999–2006)
- School teacher in Houston, Texas
- Public Information Officer, Cleveland Prosecutor’s Office
Education
- B.A. in English and Political Science, Case Western Reserve University (1991) J.D., Cleveland-Marshall School of Law (1995)
Additional information
- Legislative Service: Non-partisan staff counsel to the Washington State Senate’s Human Services and Corrections Committee
- focusing on mental health, substance abuse, juvenile justice, public assistance, and child welfare
- Served in Family & Juvenile Court and other trial assignments
- Active in community and church leadership roles
- She has presided over a range of cases, including family matters such as child support and commercial cases.
- The court handles both civil and criminal matters, with her assignments often in Family & Juvenile Court and related domestic violence and protection order cases.
- Member of the Superior Court Judges’ Association Ethics Committee, Therapeutic Courts Committee, and Education Committee
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
Thurston County - Superior Court
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 July 26, 2026.
Biography sources checked October 11, 2026.
Washington State Administrative Office of the Courts official judicial roster
Identity source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Washington State Administrative Office of the Courts official judicial roster ↗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 ↗