Patricia M. Fassett at a glance
- Current role
- Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Washington · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Patricia M. Fassett
Judge · Cowlitz County - Superior Court
Biography
Professional career
- The Presiding Judge for Department 5 of the Cowlitz County Superior Court in Kelso, Washington, appointed in 2019 by Governor Jay Inslee
- Prosecution: Deputy prosecuting attorney, Cowlitz County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office (2005–2009)
- Private Practice: Consulting attorney for the Stone Law Firm
Education
- Marquette University Law School, where she held the role of president of the Association of Women in Law — J.D. (2003)
- in Philosophy and Religious Studies, University of Oregon — B.A. (1999)
Additional information
- Appointment: February 28, 2019, by Governor Jay R. Inslee, filling the vacancy created by the appointment of Hon. Anne M. Cruser to the Washington State Court of Appeals
- Public Defender: 7 years with the Cowlitz County Office of Public Defense, primarily in juvenile court and handling high‐profile murder cases.
- Born in Wyoming, she later moved to Arizona as a child.
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
Cowlitz 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 ↗