Kujlinder K. Dhillon at a glance
- Current role
- Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Washington · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Kujlinder K. Dhillon
Judge · King County District Court
Biography
Professional career
- King County District Court judge in Washington’s West Division (Seattle facility), appointed in 2021, and is running for re‐election in November 2026
- 14 years as a King County public defender
- Judge Pro Tem in all King County District Court divisions and Renton Municipal Court
Education
- Communications, Washington State University — B.A. (1995)
Additional information
- Appointment: Unanimously appointed by the King County Council in 2021; first South Asian woman appointed to the Washington State judicial bench
- handling numerous jury trials, securing non‐life sentences for third‐strike offenders, and serving as lead defense counsel in the Juvenile Drug Court Program
- Domestic Violence Victim Advocate at the King County Prosecutor’s Office before law school
- Private practice for three years focusing on felony defense and legal strategy consulting
- Caseload: Handles hundreds of criminal, small claim, and protection order cases in Seattle
- Judge Dhillon emphasizes that “everyone who comes before the court should be treated with respect, fairness, and impartiality”.
- She has also served on advisory boards for the Girls Court and Sawhorse Revolution, and has received national training in juvenile brain science and harm‐reduction models.
- She is a member of the Court’s Personnel Committee and has supported initiatives to diversify Washington’s judiciary.
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
King 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 ↗