Matthew York at a glance
- Current role
- Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Washington · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Matthew York
Judge · King County District Court
Biography
Professional career
- King County District Court judge in Seattle, WA, appointed in 2017 and currently assigned to felony first appearance calendars at the King County Courthouse
- He has also been a judge pro tem in King County courts since 2008, gaining experience in criminal and civil matters.
Education
- Willamette University School of Law, with Certificate of Dispute Resolution — J.D. (2002)
- Summer 2000: East China University of Political Science and Law, China
- in Communications, University of Nevada, Reno — B.A. (1999)
Additional information
- Assistant City Attorney for Seattle (2010–present) — supervising DUI and infraction prosecutions, then serving as a community liaison in the civil division.
- He has held leadership roles, including South Presiding Judge (2020–2022) and Chief Presiding Judge (2022–2024).
- Active in the District and Municipal Court Judges Association (DMCJA) and has served on multiple committees.
- Judge York serves in the King County District Court (KCDC), West Division – Seattle Facility, and is responsible for felony first appearance cases.
- Raised in Southern Nevada by a single mother of four, Judge York worked various jobs — including at a movie theater, sandwich shop, 7‐11, and as a road maintenance worker — to pay for college.
- He met his wife during law school and now lives in south King County with his family.
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 ↗