John P. Fairgrieve at a glance
- Current role
- Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Washington · State
- Judicial service
- Active
John P. Fairgrieve
Judge · Clark County - Superior Court
Biography
Professional career
- Judge on the Clark County Superior Court in Washington, appointed by Governor Jay Inslee in 2015, with a background in law enforcement, military service, and legal practice
- Previous Role: Chief Deputy Prosecuting Attorney for the Clark County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office (1994–2015)
Education
- University of California, Berkeley — B.A.
- Strategic Studies, U.S. Army War College — M.A.
- University of Oregon School of Law — J.D.
Additional information
- In 2015, he ran unopposed for election and was re‐elected in 2016.
- Appointed: March 18, 2015, by Governor Jay Inslee to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Barbara D. Johnson.
- U.S. Marine Corps active duty (1983–1987) and reserve service until 2013, retiring at the rank of colonel.
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
Clark 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 ↗