Judge Jeffrey J. Jahns: Professional Background and Legal Expertise

The Hon. Jeffrey J. Jahns is a judge for the Kitsap County District Court in Washington. He was appointed to the bench by the Kitsap County Board of County Commissioners in 2009.

Prior to his appointment, Jahns served as Chief Deputy Prosecuting Attorney for the Kitsap County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office (1995 to 2009). Before that, he was an attorney in private practice, specializing in criminal defense matters (1981 to 1994).

Jahns earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Puget Sound in 1978. He then completed a J.D. at the University of Puget Sound School of Law in 1981.

His memberships have included the Board of Governors of the District and Municipal Court Judges Association and the Editorial Board for the DUI Bench Book. He authored the Traffic Stops in Washington State Bench Book as well as The Quest for Justice, a prosecutorial ethics and professionalism training manual.

He is a recipient of the Professionalism Award from the Washington State Bar Association (2004) and the Kitsap County Bar Association (1995). He was also named a Super Lawyer by Washington Law & Politics.

Jahns was raised in Tacoma, Washington.