Michael H. Evans at a glance
- Current role
- Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Washington · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Michael H. Evans
Judge · Cowlitz County - Superior Court
Biography
Professional career
- District Court Judge (2008–2010), where he created Cowlitz County’s first Mental Health Court
- Deputy Prosecuting Attorney for Cowlitz County (2001–2005, 2006–2009)
- Private Practice at Crandall, O’Neill & McReary (2005–2007) in criminal defense, personal injury, civil litigation, and family law
- Law Clerk to Rob Morrison (1998–1999)
- Recognized for contributions to judicial ethics and access to justice initiatives
Education
- Seattle University School of Law, cum laude) — J.D. (2001)
- in Political Science and Spanish, Brigham Young University — B.A. (1996)
Additional information
- Specialized Roles: Presiding Judge of Adult Drug Court Former Assistant Presiding Judge (2019–2020) Presided over H.O.P.E. (Family Dependency Treatment Court) and S.A.F.E. (Juvenile Drug Court) programs
- Appointed: December 22, 2010, by Gov.
- handling criminal and civil cases
- Chris Gregoire, replacing Hon. Jill M. Johanson
- Chair of the Superior Court Judges’ Association Ethics Committee
- Former Judicial College ethics faculty
- Active in community outreach and student presentations
- Judge Evans continues to preside over jury and bench trials, motion hearings, and specialized court programs, balancing his judicial duties with active participation in ethics and community engagement.
- Member of the Washington State Commission on Judicial Conduct
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
Cowlitz County - Superior 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 ↗