---
title: "Melissa A. Hemstreet | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/melissa-a-hemstreet-judge-kitsap-county-superior-court-581-wa"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-10-07"
---

# Melissa A. Hemstreet

Kitsap County - Superior Court · Judge

## Profile

- Court: Kitsap County - Superior 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=581&orgid=447)
- [Official roster](https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_dir/index.cfm?fa=court_dir.persondetail&indid=581&orgid=447)
- [Washington State Administrative Office of the Courts official judicial roster](https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_dir/index.cfm?fa=court_dir.persondetail&indid=581&orgid=447)
- [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)

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## Biography

### Professional career


### Education

- Willamette University College of Law — J.D. (1997)

### Additional information

- Appointed by Governor Jay Inslee on July 1, 2015 to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Anna M. Laurie.
- Admitted to the Washington State Bar in 1998
- Department 3 of the Kitsap County Superior Court.
- held the role of Therapeutic Court Committee Chair for the Superior Court Judge’s Association
- She has since presided over a variety of specialized courts, including the Family Treatment Court, Safe Babies Court, and the Girls Court.
- Before joining the bench, Hemstreet practiced law in Port Orchard, WA, initially as a contract public defender in municipal courts, later as a partner in a firm handling felony criminal defense, family law, wills, trusts, probate, and guardianship matters.
- She also held the role of Trustee, Vice President, and President of the Kitsap County Bar Association and on the Kitsap County Family Law Practice and Procedure Board.
- Hemstreet has been a member of the Washington State Trial Lawyers Association, Washington Defender Association, Washington Women Lawyers, and the Kitsap County Bar Association.



## 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.