Terry M. Tanner at a glance
- Current role
- Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Washington · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Terry M. Tanner
Judge · Benton County - District Court
Biography
Professional career
- Judge on the Benton County District Court in Washington, appointed in 2009 and later elected in 2014, with a career in law that includes prosecutorial and municipal legal roles
- He then joined the Benton County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office as a deputy prosecuting attorney (1995–2001), serving in the Civil Division and advising the Sheriff, Auditor, and Treasurer
- After law school, Tanner held a position as a civil litigation associate in private practice (1989–1995).
- Judge, Position 1 at the Benton County District Court in Richland, Washington
Education
- Pepperdine University School of Law — J.D. (1988)
- in Business Administration — University of Washington — B.A. (1985)
Additional information
- In 2023, Tanner was censured and suspended without pay for 30 days by the Washington State Supreme Court after a second DUI arrest in January 2023.
- He was appointed by the Benton County Commission in 2009 and re‐elected by voters in 2014 for a four‐year term ending January 6, 2019.
- He had previously been reprimanded in 2018 for a DUI conviction.
- From 2001–2009, he was city attorney and prosecutor for Richland, Pasco, West Richland, and Connell, and also held the role of legal advisor for Benton Clean Air, the Benton‐Franklin Council of Governments, and Greater Columbia Behavioral Health.
- The Judicial Conduct Commission found he was not initially truthful with police and recognized his alcohol dependency.
- He agreed to a deferred prosecution with a two‐year treatment plan, three years of probation monitoring, and a five‐year commitment to sobriety.
- The court handles a range of criminal and civil cases in Benton County.
- He was also a member of the Richland City Council and chairman of the Community Action Council.
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
Benton County - District 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 ↗