---
title: "Pooja Vaddadi | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/pooja-vaddadi-judge-king-county-municipal-courts-seattle-1840-wa"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-08-02"
---

# Pooja Vaddadi

King County - Municipal Courts - Seattle · Judge

## Profile

- Court: King County - Municipal Courts - Seattle
- State: Washington
- Role: Judge
- 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=1840&orgid=242)
- [Official roster](https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_dir/index.cfm?fa=court_dir.persondetail&indid=1840&orgid=242)
- [Washington State Administrative Office of the Courts official judicial roster](https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_dir/index.cfm?fa=court_dir.persondetail&indid=1840&orgid=242)
- [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)
- [Wikidata: Pooja Vaddadi](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q130527981)

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## Biography

### Professional career

- In 2024, the Seattle City Attorney’s Office filed numerous affidavits of prejudice against her, alleging bias in criminal cases
- Legal career: Former public defender with the King County Department of Public Defense and Snohomish County
- American lawyer serving as a judge on the Seattle Municipal Court
- Worked as a private criminal defense attorney. held the role of corporate in‐house counsel at DocSend
- Adjunct professor at Seattle University School of Law

### Education

- BA, Bryn Mawr College JD, Seattle University LLM, University of California, Berkeley

### Additional information

- Joined the Seattle Municipal Court Executive Committee in 2026.
- Assigned to General Trial courtroom (Courtroom 902) as of 2025.
- She assumed office in January 2023 after winning the November 2022 general election with 61.9% of the vote.
- Vaddadi denied the accusations, stating her rulings followed the law.



## 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.