John Doherty at a glance
- Current role
- Associate Judge
- Court
- Tribal Courts - Quileute Tribal Court (NICS)
- Jurisdiction
- Washington · State
- Judicial service
- Active
John Doherty
Associate Judge · Tribal Courts - Quileute Tribal Court (NICS)
Biography
Professional career
- Long‐time Clallam County judge in Washington, serving in multiple court roles for over four decades before retiring in 2018.
- 2013–2018: Appointed Presiding Judge of Clallam County District II Court in 2013, later elected in 2014
- 2004–2013: Appointed Chief Judge of the Quileute Tribal Court; also held the role of Hoh Chief Judge and earlier as Chief Judge of the Lower Elwha Court
- In 1976, Doherty joined his father, Howard V. Doherty, in a general practice law firm in Port Angeles
- The only judge elected Presiding Judge in both Clallam County Districts
Education
- Gonzaga University School of Law in, where he was on the Gonzaga Law Review — J.D. (1975)
Additional information
- After 42 years as a judge and lawyer, Judge Doherty announced in 2018 that he would step down at the end of his term in winter 2018 and would not seek re‐election.
- 1993–2002: Elected to the Clallam County District I Court bench.
- He served in the U.S. Navy in Vietnam from 1967 to 1969.
- John Doherty was born and raised in Clallam County, Washington, and graduated from Port Angeles High School in 1966.
- Doherty cited his 11 years as counsel to the Clallam County Guardian Ad Litem (CASA) program as his most rewarding experience, working with volunteers to protect abused and neglected children.
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
Tribal Courts - Quileute Tribal Court (NICS)
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 ↗