--- title: "Tony D. Hazel | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/tony-d-hazel-judge-spokane-county-superior-court-1328-wa" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-07-26" --- # Tony D. Hazel Spokane County - Superior Court · Judge ## Profile - Court: Spokane 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=1328&orgid=659) - [Official roster](https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_dir/index.cfm?fa=court_dir.persondetail&indid=1328&orgid=659) - [Washington State Administrative Office of the Courts official judicial roster](https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_dir/index.cfm?fa=court_dir.persondetail&indid=1328&orgid=659) - [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) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/tony-d-hazel-judge-spokane-county-superior-court-1328-wa", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/tony-d-hazel-judge-spokane-county-superior-court-1328-wa", "name": "Tony D. Hazel | KnowJudges", "description": "Tony D. Hazel, Spokane County - Superior Court. Source-linked judicial identity, courtroom procedures, and presentation guidance.", "dateModified": "2026-07-26", "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/#website" }, "mainEntity": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/tony-d-hazel-judge-spokane-county-superior-court-1328-wa#judge" } }, { "@type": "Person", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/tony-d-hazel-judge-spokane-county-superior-court-1328-wa#judge", "name": "Tony D. Hazel", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/tony-d-hazel-judge-spokane-county-superior-court-1328-wa", "jobTitle": "Judge", "worksFor": { "@type": "GovernmentOrganization", "name": "Spokane County - Superior Court" }, "sameAs": [ "https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_dir/index.cfm?fa=court_dir.persondetail&indid=1328&orgid=659" ] }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "KnowJudges", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Washington", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/state/washington" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Tony D. Hazel", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/tony-d-hazel-judge-spokane-county-superior-court-1328-wa" } ] } ] } ``` ## 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. ## 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.