Sharonda D. Amamilo at a glance
- Current role
- Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Washington · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Sharonda D. Amamilo
Judge · Thurston County - Superior Court
Biography
Professional career
- Judge of the Thurston County Superior Court in Washington, elected in 2020 and making history as the first person of color to serve on the Thurston County bench
- Thurston County Public Defense; public defense attorney / leadership role described by source; 2007; 2019
- Before joining the bench, Amamilo held the role of a senior defense attorney with Thurston County Public Defense (2007–2019)
- Beyond the courtroom, she has served on the Washington State Criminal Justice Treatment Act Panel, the Criminal Justice Opioid Workgroup, and the Nisqually Tribal Bar
Education
- Seattle University School of Law — J.D. (2003)
- MBA — Saint Martin's College — 1997
- M.B.A. — Saint Martin’s College (1997)
- Bachelors degree in Adult Education — Southern Illinois University-McChord AFB — 1995
- in Adult Education — Southern Illinois University — B.A. (1995)
Additional information
- Amamilo presides over a range of cases in the Family & Juvenile Court division, including child support, divorce, guardianship, and dependency matters.
- representing adults and children in Superior, Municipal, and Tribal courts, and also practiced privately.
- Active in statewide initiatives such as the Family Well-Being Community Collaborative and the National Judicial Network on Human Trafficking and Immigration in State Courts.
- She is also a member of the DCYF Oversight Board
- focusing on child welfare cases and advocating for fairness, accountability, and compassion in matters involving children and families.
- 22 years with the U.S. Army Reserve, including as a Chief Warrant Officer Four (CW4)
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
Thurston 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 ↗The Court
Superior Court/FJC Relationship And Judicial Officers; Opportunistic Bio source · HTML · Source checked October 6, 2026
View The Court ↗