Michael R. Frans at a glance
- Current role
- Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Washington · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Michael R. Frans
Biography
Professional career
- The sitting Kent Municipal Court Judge (Position 1) in Washington, serving since January 2019 and running for re‐election in the November 4, 2025 Washington General Election
- 2025 Candidacy: Running for Kent Municipal Court Judge – Position 1 in the November 4, 2025 Washington General Election
- Judicial Service: Appointed Court Commissioner in 2018 Became sitting judge in January 2019, later serving as presiding judge Reelected for a second term in 2021
- Legal Career: Nearly 20 years in private practice as a trial lawyer Two years as a pro tem judge in King County District Court
- Commitment to fair, efficient justice and public trust
Education
- JD, Seattle University School of Law (1999) BA in Law and Justice, Central Washington University
Additional information
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 - Municipal Courts - Kent
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 ↗