Judicial Profile: Department 27
Honorable Terri Mockler
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- Biographical Information
-
- Date of Birth:
- June 19, 1957
- Place of Birth:
- Illinois
- Education:
- UC Berkeley, BS in Sociology 1979
Hastings College of Law, JD 1982 - Pre-bench Legal Experience:
-
29 years as a public defender, 27 of those in Contra Costa County. For the last 3 years, was a manager supervising both attorneys and non-attorney support staff.
- Political Affiliation:
- Democrat
- Judicial Experience
-
Recently appointed by Governor Brown. Currently assigned to the Richmond Court handling primarily criminal matters.
- Pre-bench Civic & Professional Activities
- Mentors at-risk teenage girles through Contra Costa County Probation Department.
High school Mock Trial coach for 10 years. For the last several years has been an attorney scorer in the county finals.
- Current Civic & Professional Activities
- Took a training course in teaching English as a Second Language and tutored Afghan women in English.
- Current civic and professional activities
- On the Boards of Contra Costa Court Scholarship Fund and Richmond High School Law Academy. Member - California Judges Association; Robert McGrath Inns of Court
- Typical weekly schedule
- Misdemeanor trials Mondays and Wednesdays; felony preliminary hearings and small claims actions in between trials.
- Courtroom Policies
- Rules from the bench but may take a recess to research an issue. Rarely take legal issues under submission for any lengthy period.
- Teleconferencing
- Not instituted.
- Motions
- Should be in writing, including motions to continue trials.
- Briefs
- Must comply with local rules.
- Discovery
- Encourage parties to work out as much as possible before requesting court intervention.
- Settlement Conferences
- Current assignment is in criminal. Limited to what she can say/do to resolve a case.
- ADR
- Not applicable to current judicial assignment.
- In Limine Motions
- In writing, at time trial assigned to her department.
- Voir dire
- Court does fairly indepth questioning. Each attorney gets 15 minutes to voir dire first 18 called. Attorneys should not repeat court's questions.
- Jury Instructions
- Submitted in writing, prefer them in the beginning of trial.
- Witnesses
- No gum chewing, no sunglasses unless there is a medical necessity.
- Sanctions
- Won't rule out sanctions but would prefer to resolve conflicts/issues well before the point when one side is requesting sanctions.
- Documents
- Should be shown to opposing counsel well in advance of introduction as evidence or referenced by a witness.
- Decorum
- Respect each other, the court and all in the courtroom.
- Court reporters and translators
- Communicate with Judge Mockler about what works and what doesn't work.
- Computers in the courtroom
- Judge Mockler loves them but must bring your own.
- Audio-visual
- Parties should bring their own equipment. The Richmond Court in particular does not have much in the way of cutting edge technology.
- Cameras in the courtroon
- Generally will not be allowed. Judge Mockler will give proponent a fair hearing on the issue after receiving written briefs.
- Advice
- Judge Mockler treats all parties equally and with respect. She expects attorneys appearing before her to do the same.
