Karama H. Hawkins Calloway at a glance
- Current role
- Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Washington · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Karama H. Hawkins Calloway
Judge · King County District Court
Biography
Professional career
- Before this, she held the role of a Judge Pro Tempore in a dozen district and municipal courts across Western Washington, including King County District Court since 2015.
- Judge Hawkins was elected to the King County District Court bench in November 2022
- King County District Court judge in Washington, elected in November 2022, serving on the South Division at the Kent Facility and presiding over a range of civil, criminal, and specialized court programs
- Law firm as main public defender for Federal Way Municipal Court (2014–2022)
- Senior Associate, Federal Way Public Defender’s Office (2009–2013)
- Conflict public defender for King County Department of Public Defense
- Community service with the Washington State Gender & Justice Commission and other DEI initiatives
Education
- in Sociology (Globalization & Social Change emphasis), University of Washington — B.A.
- Juris Doctor (JD), University of Washington School of Law; active in moot court and mock trial competitions.
Additional information
- handling felony and misdemeanor cases.
- Representation in Contempt of Court and Protection Order proceedings.
- Over 100 hours annually of pro bono legal services to indigent litigants.
- Judge Hawkins has presided over the King County Regional Mental Health Court and Regional Veterans Court, and has been recognized by the Washington Defender Association for establishing the Federal Way Therapeutic Community Court.
- AA Degree in Sociology, North Seattle Community College
- Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society president.
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
King County District 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 ↗