Patricia Fulton at a glance
- Current role
- Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Washington · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Patricia Fulton
Biography
Professional career
- Part‐time commissioner for the Walla Walla County Superior Court in Washington, appointed in December 2020, and also practices law as a criminal defense attorney in Walla Walla
- Legal Career: Nearly 20 years in Seattle criminal defense practice before relocating to Walla Walla in 2018 Founded her own criminal defense firm in Walla Walla in 2018
- Recognized multiple times as a Super Lawyer and Rising Star by Washington Law & Politics Magazine
Education
- University of Washington School of Law — J.D. (1999)
- Western Washington University — B.A. (1994)
Additional information
- Appointment: Appointed to the bench by the Walla Walla County Superior Court judges in December 2020
- Awards: Attorney of the Year (Washington Foundation for Criminal Justice, 2015) President’s Award (Washington Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, 2014) Pro Bono Publico Service Commendation (Washington State Bar Association, 2011)
- Professional Memberships: Washington Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (past president) Washington Foundation for Criminal Justice (past vice‐president) Washington Women Lawyers, Washington Bar Association, National College of DUI Defense, Citizens for Judicial Excellence (founding board member)
- Active speaker and writer on DUI legislation
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
Walla Walla 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 ↗