Michael J. Finkle at a glance
- Current role
- Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Washington · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Michael J. Finkle
Judge · King County District Court
Biography
Professional career
- In interviews, Finkle emphasizes access to justice and therapeutic justice
- In summary: Judge Michael J. Finkle is a seasoned Washington state judge with a background in both public service and private law, now focused on civil cases, youth traffic court, and specialized mental health and veterans courts, while actively contributing to statewide judicial reform initiatives
Education
- M.B.A. – Seattle University (1995)
Additional information
- Judge of the King County District Court (KCDC) in Washington, appointed in 2010 by the Metropolitan King County Council, with his current term ending January 11, 2027.
- He has also co-chaired the statewide work group on therapeutic court practices, whose recommendations were adopted by the legislature in 2014.
- Outstanding Service Award (2013) – same association
- Ernest H. Campbell Award (2010) – Washington State Association of Municipal Attorneys
- 1990–2010: Assistant City Attorney, Seattle (Criminal Division)
- 1986–1990: Deputy City Attorney, Los Angeles (Criminal Division, Special Operations, Housing Enforcement)
- 1981–1986: Private practice as a business attorney
- Judge Finkle presides at the KCDC Redmond courthouse
- handling primarily civil matters and East King County Regional Youth Traffic Court.
- Joint Minority Mentorship Program board
- focusing on removing barriers in court proceedings and humanizing interactions with defendants.
- He chairs the statewide subcommittee creating standard forms for criminal cases involving mental illness and another for civil protection orders.
- He has also held the role of a criminal trial judge and led specialized courts, including the Regional Mental Health Court and Regional Veterans Court.
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 ↗