--- title: "Sharonda D. Amamilo | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/sharonda-d-amamilo-judge-thurston-county-family-and-juvenile-court-11455-wa" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-07" --- # Sharonda D. Amamilo Thurston County - Superior Court · Judge ## Profile - Court: Thurston 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. ## 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) ## 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=11455&orgid=685) - [Official roster](https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_dir/index.cfm?fa=court_dir.persondetail&indid=11455&orgid=685) - [Washington State Administrative Office of the Courts official judicial roster](https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_dir/index.cfm?fa=court_dir.persondetail&indid=11455&orgid=685) - [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) - [The Court](https://www.thurstoncountywa.gov/departments/superior-court/court) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/sharonda-d-amamilo-judge-thurston-county-family-and-juvenile-court-11455-wa", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/sharonda-d-amamilo-judge-thurston-county-family-and-juvenile-court-11455-wa", "name": "Sharonda D. 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