Kevin S. Naught at a glance
- Current role
- Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Washington · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Kevin S. Naught
Judge · Yakima County - Superior Court
Biography
Professional career
- Yakima County Superior Court in Washington State, having been appointed by Governor Jay Inslee in 2017 to fill the vacancy left by the retirement of Judge Susan L. Hahn
- Prior to his appointment, he held the role of a court commissioner for the same court from 2014 to 2017.
- Following law school, he joined the United States Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps from 1997 to 2000, serving as Chief of Legal Services at Ray Barracks in Germany and as an Operational Law attorney at Eagle Base in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Education
- Gonzaga University School of Law in — J.D. (1996)
- Washington State University in — B.A. (1993)
Additional information
- He has presided over numerous cases in Yakima County, including recent filings in 2024.
- After his appointment in 2017, Naught was the only candidate to file for the primary election and was automatically elected to complete the unexpired term, which concluded in 2021.
- He has been recognized for his community service, including coaching youth soccer and basketball and being named Pro Bono Attorney of the Year by Yakima County Volunteer Attorney Services in 2003.
- Before joining the bench, Naught practiced law at Finney, Falk, Naught & Remy PLLP.
- His career reflects a combination of military, private practice, and judicial experience, along with active civic engagement.
- A native of Bickleton, Washington, Naught grew up on his family’s wheat farm and graduated from Bickleton High School.
- He is married and has three sons.
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
Yakima 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 ↗