---
title: "William C. Houser | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/william-c-houser-judge-kitsap-county-superior-court-580-wa"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-10-07"
---

# William C. Houser

Kitsap County - Superior Court · Judge

## Profile

- Court: Kitsap 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=580&orgid=447)
- [Official roster](https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_dir/index.cfm?fa=court_dir.persondetail&indid=580&orgid=447)
- [Washington State Administrative Office of the Courts official judicial roster](https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_dir/index.cfm?fa=court_dir.persondetail&indid=580&orgid=447)
- [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

- Public defender for Kitsap County Office of Public Defense (2010–2014)
- Judge pro tempore in Oregon circuit and district courts, presiding over adult and juvenile cases and developing juvenile offender treatment programs
- Trial attorney at The Law Office of Wecker/Hunko and Crawford, McGilliard, Peterson & Yelish
- Deputy district attorney for Yamhill County, Oregon
- Judge on the Kitsap County Superior Court in Washington, assigned to Department 4

### Education

- Willamette University College of Law — J.D. (1983)
- in Economics — Willamette University — B.A. (1980)

### Additional information

- He also served on the Washington State Sentencing Guidelines Commission (2018–2023).
- Appointed to the bench by Governor Jay R. Inslee on April 1, 2014, filling a vacancy created by the resignation of Judge Steven B. Dixon.
- Admitted to: Oregon State Bar (1983) and Washington State Bar (2003)
- He serves in a general jurisdiction trial court that handles criminal felony, civil, juvenile, family law, domestic violence, mental health, and appeal cases.
- Houser has been active in the Kitsap County Bar Association (board member, vice president) and in committees such as the Oregon Uniform Criminal Jury Instructions Committee, Washington State Bar Civil Rights Committee, and Washington Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers Legislative Committee.
- He resides in Poulsbo, WA, is married, and has two adult children.
- He also volunteers as a parent with the Kitsap Children’s Musical Theater.



## 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.