--- title: "Megan M. Valentine | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/megan-m-valentine-judge-grays-harbor-county-district-court-1838-wa" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-07-26" --- # Megan M. Valentine Grays Harbor County - District Court · Judge ## Profile - Court: Grays Harbor 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=1838&orgid=417) - [Official roster](https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_dir/index.cfm?fa=court_dir.persondetail&indid=1838&orgid=417) - [Washington State Administrative Office of the Courts official judicial roster](https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_dir/index.cfm?fa=court_dir.persondetail&indid=1838&orgid=417) - [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/megan-m-valentine-judge-grays-harbor-county-district-court-1838-wa", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/megan-m-valentine-judge-grays-harbor-county-district-court-1838-wa", "name": "Megan M. 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Valentine", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/megan-m-valentine-judge-grays-harbor-county-district-court-1838-wa" } ] } ] } ``` ## Biography ### Professional career - She mentors future attorneys, volunteers with students, hosts criminal justice students for court observations, and participates in programs like Judges in the Classroom and YMCA Mock Trial state finals ### Education - BA from the University of Washington, a JD from Cornell University, and an MBA from Eastern Washington University, reflecting a strong foundation in law and public administration. ### Additional information - Running for re-election to Grays Harbor County District Court, Department 2, in the November 3, 2026 general election. - Establishing District Court's Post-Conviction DUI Court to reduce traffic fatalities through enhanced supervision and treatment. - Implementing electronic filing, free public case search, and a new court computer system. - Expanding probation supervision, pretrial services, behavioral health programs, and Victim Impact Panels. - Piloting statewide initiatives such as Fairness in the Court and Civil Protection Order projects. - Deeply involved in her local community. - Her campaign emphasizes integrity, impartiality, and results delivered for the community. - She has a registered campaign committee and has raised funds to support her re-election efforts. - She also contributes to statewide and national judicial leadership, serving on the Board for Judicial Administration, the Supreme Court's Gender and Sexual Violence Commission, and chairing the International Committee of the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges. - A lifelong resident of Grays Harbor, Judge Valentine and her husband are high school sweethearts, and her family has deep roots in the area. - She emphasizes an open and understandable court, ensuring accessibility and fairness for all residents of Grays Harbor County. - She balances her judicial responsibilities with raising a family, bringing patience, fairness, and care from home into her courtroom. ## 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.