---
title: "Shane Silverthorn | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/shane-silverthorn-judge-yakima-county-superior-court-11510-wa"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-07-26"
---

# Shane Silverthorn

Yakima County - Superior Court · Judge

## Profile

- Court: Yakima County - Superior 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=11510&orgid=743)
- [Official roster](https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_dir/index.cfm?fa=court_dir.persondetail&indid=11510&orgid=743)
- [Washington State Administrative Office of the Courts official judicial roster](https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_dir/index.cfm?fa=court_dir.persondetail&indid=11510&orgid=743)
- [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

- Full-time commissioner for the Yakima County Superior Court in Washington, appointed in 2017, with a background in criminal defense law and extensive judicial service across multiple court levels
- District & Municipal Courts: As Judge Pro Tempore in Yakima County District Court, Wapato Municipal Court, and Toppenish Municipal Court
- Silverthorn emphasizes access to justice, transparency, fairness, and impartiality, basing decisions on facts and law, and engaging with the community to understand and support those served

### Education

- B.A., Central Washington University (1993) J.D., Gonzaga University School of Law (1997)

### Additional information

- Judicial officer for the Yakima County Superior Court, presiding over family law and minor guardianship dockets.
- handling criminal, traffic, small claims, civil, and bench/jury trials.
- Silverthorn has been recognized for nearly seven years of service on the Superior Court bench
- handling some of Yakima County’s largest and most complex dockets.
- Also active in community engagement and has received endorsements from fellow judges and legal leaders.
- Legal Career: 18 years as a criminal defense attorney, also handling divorce, custody, dependency, and domestic cases.
- Other Roles: Pro tem commissioner in District and Municipal Courts before his Superior Court appointment.



## 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.
