Camilla Masson

I’m the chief public prosecutor in Eastern Vaud, and I’m based in Vevey. I’m in charge of the team and I’m a public prosecutor myself, dealing with criminal cases and supporting the prosecution in the canton’s courts.

I’m passionate about the diversity of the cases I’m involved in, and I like confronting defendants from all walks of life. I also enjoy the various aspects of managing my team. And I’m passionate about JUSTICE, helping to ensure people obey the law and achieving justice for victims of crime.

My career path. It’s been quite linear – I was a lawyer, a magistrate, a deputy prosecutor and chief deputy prosecutor, and now I am the chief prosecutor. I’ve always worked in criminal law – it’s a field I love. I’ve enjoyed the unfailing support of Eric Cottier, the prosecutor general for the Canton of Vaud, whom I’ve worked with for many years. He believed in me and picked me out.

A downside or obstacle ? It’s difficult to be in a management position when you’re a woman. It takes longer for us to convince people that we’re capable and that we didn’t get the job by pure chance. Things are easier for men.

I’m proud to be the first female chief prosecutor in the canton. I’m also proud of my experience and the sensitivity to human causes that I’ve developed over the years. My strength, I think, is my courage when faced with difficult situations – I focus on the human interests at stake, rather than the strictly legal requirements. I like working on cases where the human aspect is the focus, like cases of domestic violence for instance.