Joely A. Yeager at a glance
- Current role
- Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Washington · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Joely A. Yeager
Judge · Lewis County - Superior Court
Biography
Professional career
- Judge Yeager has been serving in Department 3 since 2017 and was re‐elected in November 2024 in an unopposed vote, continuing her tenure on the bench
- Judge Joely A. Yeager is a sitting judge in Department 3 of the Lewis County Superior Court in Washington, having served in that role since 2017 and most recently re‐elected in 2024
- Superior Court Commissioner Pro Tem (2016)
- Centralia Municipal Court Judge Pro Tem (2016)
- Deputy Prosecutor, Lewis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office (2009–2014)
Education
- Gonzaga University School of Law — J.D. (2001)
- (Sociology): University of Washington — B.A. (1998)
Additional information
- Recent activity: Presides over criminal preliminary appearances in Department 3, such as the October 9, 2026 session.
- Lewis County Public Defense & Family Treatment Court (2014–2016)
- Special Agent, Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) (2003–2007)
- Special Agent Training Academy: Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, Glynco, GA (2003)
- Private legal work at Keith S. Douglass & Associates (1999–2003)
- High school: Meadowdale High School, Lynnwood, WA (1993)
- 1) and Paul A. Strophy (Dept.
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
Lewis 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 ↗