Tony D. Hazel at a glance
- Current role
- Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Washington · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Tony D. Hazel
Judge · Spokane County - Superior Court
Biography
Professional career
- The Presiding Judge of the Spokane County Superior Court in Washington, appointed in 2017 and currently serving a term through January 8, 2029
- Earlier Role: One year as Deputy Prosecuting Attorney in Yakima County
- Prior Career: 13 years as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney with Spokane County
- Duties: As Presiding Judge, Hazel supervises the judicial business of the Superior Court, assigns cases to trial departments, acts as the court’s spokesperson, directs administrative policy implementation, and performs other judicial/administrative duties under General Rule 29
Education
- B.A., Gonzaga University J.D., Gonzaga University School of Law
Additional information
- Re‐elected in 2024 without appearing on the ballot.
- Appointed: April 11, 2017, by Governor Jay R. Inslee
- Making Spokane Better Award (Salvation Army, 2012).
- handling major crimes, homicide cases, and helping establish the identity theft task force.
- Community Work: Led the public safety transition team for Mayor David Condon; served on the Regional Law and Justice Council.
- Professional Affiliations: Former President of Spokane County Bar Association.
- Other Assignments: has held the role of Juvenile Judge and Plea/Broker Judge in non‐family civil 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
Spokane 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 ↗