Joseph M. Burrowes at a glance
- Current role
- Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Washington · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Joseph M. Burrowes
Judge · Benton County - Superior Court
Biography
Professional career
- Earlier Role: District Court Commissioner since 2007
- Judge of the Benton-Franklin County Superior Court in Washington, elected in 2016 to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Hon. Robert G. Swisher
- Prior Judicial Role: Judge, Benton County District Court (appointed 2009)
Education
- Gonzaga University School of Law — J.D.
- Washington State University Tri-Cities — B.A.
- A.A.: Columbia Basin College
Additional information
- Born in Dayton, Ohio; moved to the Tri-Cities, WA, in 1979.
- Pre-Judicial Career: 15 years as a Hanford Patrol Officer and Security Specialist held a position as a prosecutor, civil litigator, family law facilitator, and defense attorney Represented municipalities (e.g., City of Pasco), corporations, and public officials
- Served on the Education Committee (chair), Washington State Bar Association Local Rules Committee, and Judicial Needs Committee
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
Benton 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 ↗