John A. Hays at a glance
- Current role
- Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Washington · State
- Judicial service
- Active
John A. Hays
Judge · Cowlitz County - District Court
Biography
Professional career
- Judge on the Cowlitz County District Court in Washington, elected in 2018 and serving as presiding judge, with a background as a 30‐year private practice attorney and community leader
- Instructor at Kelso Police Citizens Academy; annual speaker for Lower Columbia College Law & Justice Class
Education
- B.S. in Finance, Brigham Young University (1983) J.D., University of Puget Sound School of Law (1986)
Additional information
- Bar membership: Washington State Bar since 1987
- Elected: 2018 Washington General Election; re‐elected in 2022
- Serves as presiding judge; handles various case types, including family matters and domestic violence cases
- Legal career: 30 years in private practice before joining the judiciary; appeared before the Washington Supreme Court and Court of Appeals
- Judge Hays and his wife, Diane, have three grown children.
- Former member of the Drug Abuse Prevention Center Board and American Red Cross Cowlitz County Chapter Board
- Treasurer and pro bono volunteer for the Cowlitz‐Wahkiakum Legal Aid Board
- Volunteer with Boy Scouts and genealogist at Longview LDS Family History Library
- He enjoys walking, woodworking, cooking, and genealogy research.
- For case information or court schedules, visit the Washington State Courts Cowlitz County District Court directory.
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
Cowlitz County - District 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 ↗