Magazine Archive
How Did It Get So Late So Soon?
“How did it get so late so soon? It’s night before it’s afternoon. December is here before it’s June. My goodness how the time has flewn. How did it get so late so soon?” –Dr. Seuss How did it get so late so soon? I can’t believe that my two-year term as Presiding Judge...
Read ArticleThe Lucky One?
Two years ago when I learned I would be Presiding Judge (PJ), everyone expected I would be the “lucky one.” The lucky PJ who would waltz in after the recession and experience a fully-funded court. We dreamed of restoring service cuts, hiring more employees and expanding operations. Oh well. At least for now, that dream...
Read ArticleCivil Division Update (2016)
The Civil Division is fortunate to have Judge Steven Austin (re)join us in January 2017, fresh from his two-year Presiding Judge assignment. He will assume responsibility for Judge Jill Fannin’s caseload, who will begin her Presiding Judge assignment. Otherwise, judicial assignments in Civil will remain the same – Judges Barry Goode, Complex Litigation, George Spanos,...
Read ArticleCriminal Courts
The Criminal Courts of Contra Costa County are alive and well. Over the last five years, we have absorbed fundamental changes resulting from the realignment legislation (AB 109), Proposition 47, and the closing of our Walnut Creek Courthouse to criminal cases. Thanks to our hard working judges and extraordinary staff, we have weathered these overhauls...
Read ArticleFamily Law Perspective (Nov '16)
This has been an eventful year in the Family Law Division. We welcomed two new judges to the division, increased slightly the overall number of family law judges, and implemented technological upgrades to enhance the services we provide to the public. In January, Judge Terri Mockler and Judge John Cope began their assignments at the...
Read ArticleThe Juvenile Bench in Contra Costa County
Contra Costa County’s Superior Court conducts all of the Juvenile Dependency Hearings (W&I sec. 300, et seq.) and all of the Juvenile Delinquency Hearings (W&I sec 600, et seq.) for cases arising within our jurisdiction. The court also hears truancy matters for children who are not going to school. In 2017 there will be four...
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