---
title: "Tirsa Butler | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/tirsa-butler-judge-mason-county-superior-court-11507-wa"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-07-26"
---

# Tirsa Butler

Mason County - Superior Court · Judge

## Profile

- Court: Mason 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.

## 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=11507&orgid=514)
- [Official roster](https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_dir/index.cfm?fa=court_dir.persondetail&indid=11507&orgid=514)
- [Washington State Administrative Office of the Courts official judicial roster](https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_dir/index.cfm?fa=court_dir.persondetail&indid=11507&orgid=514)
- [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)

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## Biography

### Professional career

- Elected judge of the Mason County Superior Court in Washington State, serving since her election in November 2024 to replace retiring Judge Daniel Goodell
- In April 2026, Judge Butler contributed to a Shelton-Mason County Journal article on bail decisions, discussing the importance of the bail-setting process without detailing specific cases

### Education


### Additional information

- Term start: Statutory term began January 13, 2025
- Governor Jay Inslee granted a short-term appointment from January 1–12, 2025, to allow her to begin work early
- Election: Won the November 2024 general election to succeed Judge Daniel Goodell
- Judge Butler’s appointment follows the retirement of Judge Daniel Goodell, and she is one of two newly elected judicial officers in Washington’s 2024 elections to begin service early.
- Listed in the official Washington State Administrative Office of the Courts judicial roster.



## Published courtroom rules

### Shared court rules

- [Washington GR 16, Courtroom Photography and Recording by the News Media](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-7133c6bd26c80972b86e0d31) — 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](https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_rules/pdf/GR/GA_GR_16_00_00.pdf). Collected 2026-07-26.