Thomas L Meyer at a glance
- Current role
- Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Washington · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Thomas L Meyer
Judge · Thurston County - District Court
Biography
Professional career
- Thomas L. Meyer is the long‐time Municipal Court Judge for the City of Yelm, Washington, serving since 1992
Education
Additional information
- Tenure: Served since September 29, 1992
- Recent activity: Reappointed by the Yelm City Council on October 25, 2022, after 30 years in the role
- He attended local schools and graduated from Gonzaga Law School in 1974.
- Before entering law, he held a position as a carpenter and commercial fisherman.
- Oath & commitment: Has pledged to uphold the U.S. and Washington State constitutions and to treat all parties with respect and dignity
- In his reappointment, Judge Meyer said: “I just want to thank you.
- Perhaps I’ll live my usefulness here, but I’m glad to be of service for another year”.
- He emphasizes listening as much as speaking and treating everyone with respect, even those he believes “don’t deserve it”.
- Judge Meyer is the second of eight sons, born and raised in Olympia, WA.
- He is a member of the Washington State Bar Association.
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 - 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 ↗