Jacqueline I. Stam at a glance
- Current role
- Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Washington · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Jacqueline I. Stam
Judge · Benton County - Superior Court
Biography
Professional career
- Before joining the bench, Judge Stam held the role of Commissioner of the Benton–Franklin County Superior Court since 2011, presiding over family law, probate, guardianship, and juvenile cases.
- The Administrative Presiding Judge of the Benton–Franklin County Superior Court in Washington, appointed in 2021 to replace the late Hon. Carrie L. Runge
- From 1993 to 2011, she was a senior partner at Cowan, Moore, Stam, Luke & Petersen, P.S
Education
- Gonzaga University School of Law — J.D. (1993)
- Northern Arizona University — B.A.
Additional information
- Tenure: 2021–present.
- Appointed: July 8, 2021, by Washington Governor Jay Inslee to fill the vacancy created by Judge Runge’s retirement.
- handling family law, guardianships, probate, and estate planning matters, and also serving as a Guardian ad Litem and mediator.
- She has been active in local governance and community programs, including the Benton County Parks Board, YMCA Mock Trial Competition (as judicial officer and attorney), and committees for local Adoption Day and Law Day events.
- As Administrative Presiding Judge, Judge Stam oversees the court’s administrative functions, ensuring timely, fair, and impartial adjudication in line with the court’s mission statement.
- Born in Maryland and raised in Illinois, Judge Stam graduated from Waubonsie Valley High School.
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
Benton 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 ↗