Camara L.J. Banfield at a glance
- Current role
- Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Washington · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Camara L.J. Banfield
Judge · Clark County - Superior Court
Biography
Professional career
- Camara L. J. Banfield is a judge on the Clark County Superior Court in Washington, serving in Department 5 since January 19, 2021
- Vancouver City Attorney’s Office — Assistant City Attorney
- In public interviews, she has spoken about systemic racism in the justice system, the importance of diversity in juries, and the need for ongoing reform
Education
- University of Oregon School of Law — J.D.
Additional information
- Sworn in on February 5, 2021, and is the first Black person to serve on the Clark County Superior Court.
- Clark County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office (2004–2021) — Deputy Criminal Prosecutor, supervised the Criminal Division, co‐founded the Action Reform Committee to review and improve court policies, and served on the Washington State Bar Committee for Diversity
- Appointed by Governor Jay R. Inslee to fill a vacancy created when Hon. Bernard Veljacic moved to the Washington State Court of Appeals.
- She presides over a variety of cases, including property disputes, torts, and other civil matters.
- Also served on the Vancouver School District Board of Directors
- Banfield was born and raised in Vancouver, Washington, to a Black father and a white mother.
- She has been active in mentoring at‐risk youth in track and field.
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
Clark 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 ↗