--- title: "John H. Hart | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/john-h-hart-judge-whitman-county-district-court-6735-wa" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-07-26" --- # John H. Hart Whitman County - District Court · Judge ## Profile - Court: Whitman 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=6735&orgid=734) - [Official roster](https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_dir/index.cfm?fa=court_dir.persondetail&indid=6735&orgid=734) - [Washington State Administrative Office of the Courts official judicial roster](https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_dir/index.cfm?fa=court_dir.persondetail&indid=6735&orgid=734) - [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/john-h-hart-judge-whitman-county-district-court-6735-wa", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/john-h-hart-judge-whitman-county-district-court-6735-wa", "name": "John H. 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Hart", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/john-h-hart-judge-whitman-county-district-court-6735-wa" } ] } ] } ``` ## Biography ### Professional career - Judge John Hart currently serves as a District Court Judge in Whitman County, Washington, a position he first assumed in 2018 and is now seeking re-election for a subsequent term. - Courthouse Security: He collaborated with Superior Court Judge Gary Libey to enhance courthouse security, ensuring a safer environment for staff and the public - Therapeutic Court: Judge Hart helped establish a therapeutic court aimed at assisting low-level offenders dealing with mental health and substance abuse issues, providing alternatives to traditional sentencing - Pandemic Adaptation: During the COVID-19 pandemic, his court was among the first in Washington to resume operations via Zoom and YouTube live streaming, maintaining access to justice while adhering to safety protocols - The Dean of the Washington Judicial College, which provides mandatory training for all judges in the state within their first year of service ### Education ### Additional information - The Whitman County District Court handles misdemeanor cases and lower-level criminal matters, and under Hart’s leadership, the court has implemented innovative programs to address community needs. - He also participates in statewide judiciary committees, contributing to policy development and judicial education. - He has been honored with the District and Municipal Court Judicial Association’s Presidential Award, recognizing his volunteerism, dedication, and service to the judicial community. ## 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.