--- title: "Michael J. Finkle | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/michael-j-finkle-judge-king-county-district-court-east-division-redmond-facility-11530-wa" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-07" --- # Michael J. Finkle 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=11530&orgid=1056) - [Official roster](https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_dir/index.cfm?fa=court_dir.persondetail&indid=11530&orgid=1056) - [Washington State Administrative Office of the Courts official judicial roster](https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_dir/index.cfm?fa=court_dir.persondetail&indid=11530&orgid=1056) - [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/michael-j-finkle-judge-king-county-district-court-east-division-redmond-facility-11530-wa", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/michael-j-finkle-judge-king-county-district-court-east-division-redmond-facility-11530-wa", "name": "Michael J. 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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. ## 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.