Thad E. Scudder at a glance
- Current role
- Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Washington · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Thad E. Scudder
Judge · Cowlitz County - Superior Court
Biography
Professional career
- Department 2 judge at the Cowlitz County Superior Court in Washington, appointed by Governor Jay Inslee in 2020 to replace the retiring Hon. Stephen Warning
- Public Defense: Joined Cowlitz County Office of Public Defense in 2013; became Director in 2018
- Early Career: Deputy prosecuting attorney, Cowlitz County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office (1990–1991)
- Judicial Service: Served 16 years as a pro tem judge in Cowlitz County District Court
Education
- B.A. in Political Science, University of Minnesota (1986) J.D., Seattle University School of Law (1990)
Additional information
- Appointment: May 7, 2020, by Governor Jay Inslee
- Private Practice: Solo criminal defense and appeals practice for 20 years, also handling family and juvenile cases.
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
Cowlitz 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 ↗