---
title: "Paul Wohl | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/paul-wohl-commissioner-thurston-county-district-court-3149-wa"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-07-26"
---

# Paul Wohl

Thurston County - District Court · Commissioner

## Profile

- Court: Thurston County - District Court
- State: Washington
- Role: Commissioner
- 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=3149&orgid=687)
- [Official roster](https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_dir/index.cfm?fa=court_dir.persondetail&indid=3149&orgid=687)
- [Washington State Administrative Office of the Courts official judicial roster](https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_dir/index.cfm?fa=court_dir.persondetail&indid=3149&orgid=687)
- [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)

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## Biography

### Professional career

- Thurston County District Court Commissioner in Washington, appointed in 2013, and is currently running for re‐election as Judge Pos
- Paul Wohl has held the role of a Thurston County District Court Commissioner since August 2013, appointed by the existing District Court judges
- His work spans both prosecution and defense, and he is a candidate for the 2026 Thurston County District Court Judge Pos
- Public Defender — King County, starting his legal career
- Deputy Prosecutor — Pierce County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office
- U.S. Army officer commission

### Education

- Seattle University School of Law — J.D. (1991)
- University of Washington — B.A. (1988)

### Additional information

- 3 in the November 3, 2026 ballot.
- Prosecutor — City of Olympia (14 years)
- Prosecuting Attorney — City of Federal Way
- Private Practice — 22 years in Thurston, Pierce, and King Counties
- 3 seat.
- He has also taught Street Law at Timberline High School, served on the Washington State Association of Municipal Attorneys board, and was a member of the Board of Judicial Administration’s Public Trust and Confidence Committee.



## 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.