---
title: "Rick Leo | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/rick-leo-judge-snohomish-county-district-court-evergreen-division-scdc-1120-wa"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-10-07"
---

# Rick Leo

Snohomish County District Court · Judge

## Profile

- Court: Snohomish County District Court
- 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=1120&orgid=625)
- [Official roster](https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_dir/index.cfm?fa=court_dir.persondetail&indid=1120&orgid=625)
- [Washington State Administrative Office of the Courts official judicial roster](https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_dir/index.cfm?fa=court_dir.persondetail&indid=1120&orgid=625)
- [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

- Election: Currently running for Evergreen District Court Judge Position 1 in the November 3, 2026 general election, unopposed per official filings
- Private Practice: In 2003, entered private practice as an associate at Veitch, Gaston & Kennedy, later becoming a partner at Veitch, Leo & Associates, and in 2009 opened his own solo law practice
- Judge, Evergreen Division, Snohomish County District Court in Washington State
- Also listed as a Snohomish County District Court Commissioner in the Department Cascade Division
- Judicial Service: held the role of judge pro tem for Snohomish County District Court during his private practice
- Rick S. Leo is a commissioner judge for the Snohomish County District Court’s Evergreen Division, with a long career in public defense, prosecution, private practice, and judicial service

### Education

- B.A., State University of New York at Albany — 1992

### Additional information

- Public Defense & Prosecution: Began as a staff attorney for the Snohomish County Public Defender Association, then became a deputy prosecuting attorney in the Snohomish County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.
- His judicial role involves presiding over criminal and civil cases at the trial level, including bail and pleas, motions, trials, sentencing, and civil judgments.



## 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.
