Judicial Profile: Department 3
Honorable Patricia Scanlon
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- Biographical Information
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- Date of Birth:
- 1955
- Place of Birth:
- Massachusetts
- Education:
- Undergrad: Mt. Holyoke College, South Hadley, Massachusetts
Law School: Boalt Hall, UC Berkeley - Pre-bench Legal Experience:
- 23 years with the public defender’s office in Contra Costa County, California
- Political Affiliation:
- Democrat
- Judicial Experience
- Judge Scanlon took the Bench on October 3, 2005. She has served two years in Richmond, doing a general criminal assignment; two years in juvenile; and two years in family law. She is again doing a general criminal assignment in Richmond.
- Pre-bench Civic & Professional Activities
- Her Honor was a member of the California Public Defenders Assoc., California Attorneys for Criminal Justice, and Women Defenders.
- Courtroom Policies
- When appropriate, the judge rules from bench.
- Briefs
- Follow local rules of court.
- Settlement Conferences
- Pre-trial motions are heard on Thursday and Friday mornings.
- In Limine Motions
- The Judge conducts evidentiary hearings on misdemeanor trials.
- Voir Dire
- The Judge conducts her voir dire, and then she allows each attorney 15 minutes.
- Jury Instructions
- The Judge instructs the jury, but will consider special requests.
- Decorum
- Attorneys are to act professionally and to be on time.
- Court Reporters & Translators
- Interpreters and court reporters are provided for criminal and domestic violence restraining order cases.
- Computers in the Courtroom
- Not an issue.
- Audio-visual
- The court has a VCR, but all other audio-visual requirements must be provided by the attorneys.
- Cameras in the Courtroom
- This will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
- Advice
- Be on time. Know the law. Dress appropriately. Have your client dress appropriately.
