Tony Rugel at a glance
- Current role
- Commissioner
- Jurisdiction
- Washington · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Tony Rugel
Commissioner · Spokane County - Superior Court
Biography
Professional career
- Tony M. Rugel is a Commissioner for the Spokane County Superior Court in Washington, appointed in 2012, with a background in public service, prosecution, and legal practice
- Tony M. Rugel serves as Court Commissioner 5 (also listed as Commissioner 6 in some directories) of the Spokane County Superior Court
Education
- Seattle University School of Law — J.D. (1993)
- in Political Science & Government — Eastern Washington University — B.S. (1990)
Additional information
- Appointed to the bench: September 4, 2012
- Previous roles: Assistant Attorney General, Washington State (2004–2012), head of the Eastern Washington Medicaid Fraud Unit Special Assistant U.S. Attorney (2007–2008) Senate Committee Counsel, Washington State Senate (2002–2004) Attorney at law for the Law Offices of Ron Hammett and Hank Rawson Deputy Prosecuting Attorney, Okanogan County
- Based at the Spokane County Courthouse, 1116 W. Broadway Ave., Spokane, WA 99260, and can be reached at 509‐477‐5702
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 ↗