---
title: "Chris Ramsay | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/chris-ramsay-commissioner-clark-county-district-court-11686-wa"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-07-26"
---

# Chris Ramsay

Clark County - District Court · Commissioner

## Profile

- Court: Clark County - District Court
- State: Washington
- Role: Commissioner
- 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=11686&orgid=341)
- [Official roster](https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_dir/index.cfm?fa=court_dir.persondetail&indid=11686&orgid=341)
- [Washington State Administrative Office of the Courts official judicial roster](https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_dir/index.cfm?fa=court_dir.persondetail&indid=11686&orgid=341)
- [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

- Legal Experience: held the role of an Associate Attorney for the Denver City Attorney’s Office, later opened his own private law practice in Vancouver in 2006
- Commissioner Christopher D. Ramsay, a judge in the Clark County District Court in Vancouver, Washington
- Early Career: Began as a Rule 9 Intern at the Whitman County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, then held a position as a Judicial Law Clerk in Denver County District Court
- His judicial role as a Commissioner Judge reflects his extensive background in criminal law and his commitment to community service
- Teaching: Has been an adjunct professor at Metropolitan State College in Denver and Washington State University Vancouver, teaching substantive criminal law and criminal procedure

### Education

- Graduated in Political Science from Colorado State University
- Law degree from The University of Idaho.

### Additional information

- Ramsay’s legal career spans public service, private practice, and academia.
- 13th Street, Vancouver, WA 98660.
- focusing on criminal defense from traffic cases to homicide.
- Commissioner Judge in the Clark County District Court, which handles a wide range of criminal and civil cases in the county.
- His office is located at 210 E.



## 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.