--- title: "Jeffrey R. Smith | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/jeffrey-r-smith-judge-spokane-county-district-court-1366-wa" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-07-26" --- # Jeffrey R. Smith Spokane County - District Court · Judge ## Profile - Court: Spokane County - District 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=1366&orgid=662) - [Official roster](https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_dir/index.cfm?fa=court_dir.persondetail&indid=1366&orgid=662) - [Washington State Administrative Office of the Courts official judicial roster](https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_dir/index.cfm?fa=court_dir.persondetail&indid=1366&orgid=662) - [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/jeffrey-r-smith-judge-spokane-county-district-court-1366-wa", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/jeffrey-r-smith-judge-spokane-county-district-court-1366-wa", "name": "Jeffrey R. 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Smith is a nonpartisan District Court Judge for Spokane County, Washington, appointed in 2016 and re‐elected in 2022, currently serving as Presiding Judge for Mental Health Court, DUI Court, and Arraignments - Current assignments: Presiding Judge for Mental Health Court, DUI Court, and Arraignments/Jail - Physician Associate, Yale University School of Medicine ### Education - Gonzaga University School of Law — J.D. (2004) - Whitworth University (Health Promotion) — B.S. - A.A.S., Spokane Community College (Respiratory Therapy) ### Additional information - Elected: 2018, 2022 (term ends January 11, 2027) - Joint Legislative Task Force on Jail Standards (2022) - Appointed: November 2016 by Spokane County Commissioners - He also practiced as a sole practitioner (2006–2009) in medical negligence, wrongful death, and general transactional law. - Healthcare organization representation - Affiliations: President, Washington State District and Municipal Court Judges Association - District and Municipal Court Judges Association (Therapeutic Courts, Legislative, Education Committees) - Federal Bar Association, Washington State Bar Association, Spokane County Bar Association - Prior to law school, he worked for 16 years as a physician assistant in cardiovascular/thoracic surgery, family medicine, urgent care, and sports medicine. ## 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.