James Kirkham at a glance
- Current role
- Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Washington · State
- Judicial service
- Active
James Kirkham
Judge · Kittitas County - Superior Court
Biography
Professional career
- Judge Kirkham currently holds Position 2 on the Superior Court and his term extends through December 31, 2028
- Judge James D. Kirkham serves as one of the two Superior Court Judges in Kittitas County, Washington, alongside Judge Chris Herion
- For those seeking to contact or learn more about Judge Kirkham, resources such as the Washington State Courts directory and local Kittitas County court websites provide official contact information, schedules, and additional details about his judicial duties
- Judge Kirkham’s role is central to maintaining the legal process in Kittitas County, providing prompt, efficient, and quality judicial services while protecting the rights and liberties guaranteed by the Constitution and state law
Education
Additional information
- Also a candidate for re-election in the 2024 Washington General Election for the same position.
- The Kittitas County Superior Court is a court of general jurisdiction
- handling a wide range of cases including adult felony crimes, civil disputes, family law matters, juvenile cases, real property disputes, and domestic violence issues.
- The court is located on the second floor of the Kittitas County Courthouse at 205 W.
- 5th Avenue, Ellensburg, WA 98926.
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
Kittitas 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 ↗