Jessica M. Manca at a glance
- Current role
- Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Washington · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Jessica M. Manca
Judge · King County - Superior Court
Biography
Professional career
- Judge Jessica M. (Murphy) Manca is a King County Superior Court Judge in Washington, assigned to Department 22 (Criminal), and appointed by Governor Bob Ferguson on June 8, 2026, to succeed Judge Karen Donohue
- Clerk for U.S. District Judge Michael W. Mosman (D. Or.) and judicial extern for U.S. District Judge Robert S. Lasnik (W.D. Wash.)
- Assistant U.S. Attorney, Western District of Washington — Criminal Civil Rights Coordinator, leading investigations into hate crimes and constitutional violations; also handled cybercrime, cyberstalking, and financial crime cases
Education
- University of Washington School of Law (High Honors) — J.D.
Additional information
- Her appointment was effective July 1, 2026.
- Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney at King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office for 10 years, prosecuting hundreds of felony/misdemeanor cases and ~50 jury trials.
- Bailiff: Monica Gillum
- Appointed by nonpartisan election per Washington’s judicial selection system.
- Manca mentors new attorneys, volunteers with Seattle Central Little League, and participates in youth legal education programs.
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
King 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 ↗