Jonathan D. Rands at a glance
- Current role
- Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Washington · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Jonathan D. Rands
Judge · Whatcom County - District Court
Biography
Professional career
- The elected Whatcom County District Court Judge, serving since January 2023 after being chosen in the November 2022 election, with a background as a 20+ year trial attorney and small business owner.
- Prosecutors filed affidavits of prejudice, arguing his prior work as a DUI defense attorney created bias
- A Superior Court judge ordered him to recuse himself from those cases
Education
- JD from Seattle University
- a BA in Criminal Justice from Simon Fraser University.
Additional information
- Jonathan Rands was elected to the Whatcom County District Court in 2022 and sworn in January 9, 2023.
- Early in his tenure, Rands faced a legal dispute over 123 DUI cases.
- Before becoming a judge, Rands spent over 20 years as a trial attorney and small business owner
- As presiding judge, he handles a wide range of cases — from traffic infractions and small claims to criminal matters involving alcohol, drugs, and domestic violence, as well as civil disputes.
- He tried more than 200 cases to verdict and was frequently appointed as a Judge Pro Tem by local judges.
- Rands contested the move, but the ruling stood, marking a significant early challenge to his judicial authority.
- representing clients across Whatcom, Island, Skagit, San Juan, and Snohomish Counties.
- Youth Court — Founded the county’s first Youth Court
- focusing on early intervention and education.
- Rands and his wife, Janise, live in Whatcom County, raising a family and supporting local nonprofits such as the Whatcom Humane Society, Brigid Collins Family Support Center, and the Food Bank gleaning program.
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
Whatcom 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 ↗