Nikole E. Hecklinger at a glance
- Current role
- Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Washington · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Nikole E. Hecklinger
Judge · King County - Superior Court
Biography
Professional career
- Licensed to practice law in Washington since 1995
- Judge on Department 23 of the King County Superior Court in Washington, elected in August 2024 and sworn in January 2025, presiding over general trials in Courtroom 4C.
- Before this, she held the role of a King County Superior Court Commissioner (2023) and Judge Pro Tem for the Washington State Board of Industrial Insurance Appeals (2024).
- Private practice with Wakefield Legal (2022) and Hecklinger Law (2023)
- Public Defense Attorney with King County Department of Public Defense (2013–2021)
- Deputy Public Defender at Whatcom County Public Defender’s Office (until 2013)
Education
- University of Puget Sound School of Law — J.D. (1995)
- in Political Science, University of Washington — B.A. (1991)
Additional information
- Elected to the bench on August 6, 2024 and began her term in January 2025.
- She has also been active in community legal work, including helping unionize public defense in King County and volunteering with organizations like El Centro de la Raza.
- Recipient of the Public Service Award from the Washington State Trial Lawyers Association
- Involved in youth legal programs, such as the Charles V. Johnson Youth & Law Forum
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 - 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 ↗