Judicial Profile: Department 13
Honorable Lewis A. Davis
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- Biographical Information
-
- Date of Birth:
- September 25, 1948
- Place of Birth:
- Washington, DC
- Education:
- Clark University, BA Philosophy with honors 1970
Georgetown University, Fellow, PhD studies in Philosophy
McGeorge School of Law, JD 1981 - Pre-bench Legal Experience:
- Assistant US Attorney, 1990-2006 (Directors Award, Senior Litigation Counsel, Training Director, and Discovery Compliance Officer)
Deputy District Attorney. Alameda County, 1984-1990 (Homicide Division) - Political Affiliation:
- Republican
- Judicial Experience
- Pittsburg Branch Court, 51/2 months
Richmond Branch Court, 1 1/2 years
Juvenile Hall and Pittsburg Drug Court, June 2008 to Present - Current Civic & Professional Activities
- Contra Costa Committee—Diversity on the Bench, Produced judicial mentoring handbook to promote diversity
Vice Chair, Judicial Council Court Security Education Committee
Robert G. McGrath Inn of Court, 2007-08 - Continuing Legal Education Faculty
- Governing Committee of the Center for Judicial Education and Research Violence Against Women Education Project Planning Committee Instructor, Domestic Violence Institute for Judges, 2008.
- Recent Publications
- Consultant, California Judicial Benchbook - Domestic Violence Cases in Criminal Court, 4th ed. (2007).
- Courtroom Policies
- Generally rules from the bench. In addition to motions in limine and jury instructions, any anticipated issues should be addressed with the court prior to trial commencement.
- Teleconferencing
- None currently.
- Motions
- A courtesy copy should be delivered to the court at the time a motion is filed.
- Discovery
- Strict compliance with PC 1054, et seq, and other duties as required by law. The judge has given the late discovery jury instruction (CALCRIM 306).
- In Limine Motions
- Should be provided the day of trial, and supported by case authority.
- Voir Dire
- Voir dire is conducted primarily from the bench, with 15-30 minutes allotted per party. Additional time is permitted if necessary at the court’s discretion. Sixpack method. (Not applicable in juvenile cases.)
- Jury Instructions
- Complete instructions to be provided by the parties the first day of trial. Two jury instruction conferences will be held. (Not applicable in juvenile cases.)
- Sanctions
- Has on rare occasion issued expedited contempt per CCP 177.5.
- Decorum
- Counsel should be polite, not interrupt, and not make speaking objections.
- Computers in the Courtroom
- Counsel may use their own equipment with prior notice.
- Audio-visual
- Counsel may use their own equipment with prior notice.
- Cameras in the Courtroom
- No.
- Advice
- Please be prepared, with appropriate case authority to support legal assertions, and be courteous. Counsel should notify the clerk if running late to court. Prepared by Ross Pytlik, Gagen McCoy.
