--- title: "Matthew York | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/matthew-york-judge-king-county-district-court-west-division-seattle-facility-11743-wa" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-07" --- # Matthew York King County District Court · Judge ## Profile - Court: King County District Court - State: Washington - Role: Judge - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-07-26 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## Before you appear - Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed. - Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance. - Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding. ## Courtroom Rules ### photography recording Scope: 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. Evidence excerpt: 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 judge [Washington GR 16, Courtroom Photography and Recording by the News Media](https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_rules/pdf/GR/GA_GR_16_00_00.pdf) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### limitations on recording Scope: statewide If a Washington judge limits courtroom photography or recording, GR 16 requires particularized findings on the record and treats open access as presumed. Evidence excerpt: Open access is presumed; limitations on access must be supported by reasons found by the judge to be sufficiently compelling to outweigh that presumption [Washington GR 16, Courtroom Photography and Recording by the News Media](https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_rules/pdf/GR/GA_GR_16_00_00.pdf) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ## Sources - [Official profile](https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_dir/index.cfm?fa=court_dir.persondetail&indid=11743&orgid=1062) - [Official roster](https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_dir/index.cfm?fa=court_dir.persondetail&indid=11743&orgid=1062) - [Washington State Administrative Office of the Courts official judicial roster](https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_dir/index.cfm?fa=court_dir.persondetail&indid=11743&orgid=1062) - [Washington GR 16, Courtroom Photography and Recording by the News Media](https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_rules/pdf/GR/GA_GR_16_00_00.pdf) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/matthew-york-judge-king-county-district-court-west-division-seattle-facility-11743-wa", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/matthew-york-judge-king-county-district-court-west-division-seattle-facility-11743-wa", "name": "Matthew York | KnowJudges", "description": "Matthew York, King County District Court. 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(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. ## Published courtroom rules ### Shared court rules - [Washington GR 16, Courtroom Photography and Recording by the News Media](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-7133c6bd26c80972b86e0d31) — 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](https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_rules/pdf/GR/GA_GR_16_00_00.pdf). Collected 2026-07-26.