A state trial court / Established 1966

Superior Court of California, County of Del Norte

A general-jurisdiction trial court in California.

The Superior Court of California, County of Del Norte is a general-jurisdiction state trial court in California, where most civil and criminal cases are first heard. Its judges are chosen by gubernatorial appointment from a nominating commission, followed by retention elections, the method California uses for its judges. This page lists the judges on record for this court from our public-records source, current and former; trial-court coverage is partial.

7
Judges in history
1
On record as serving
Merit selection
Selection
12-yr
Term

Roster as of the CourtListener bulk-data snapshot (2026-03-31): recent departures and appointments may not be reflected, so it is shown as “on record,” not “currently serving.”

Judges on record

Former judges

JudgeYears
Darren McElfresh2015–2023
Chris Doehle2012–2015
William H. Follett2000–2019
Philip Schafer1998–2000
Robert W. Weir1988–2012
Frank S. Petersen1966–1988

Other courts in County, California

County is also served by these courts.

115 on record · 273 in history

How a judge reaches this court. Judges of the Superior Court of California, County of Del Norte are appointed by the governor to 12-year terms and then face yes-or-no retention elections. Selection methods vary by jurisdiction and have changed over time; this page reflects the court’s current method (source: National Center for State Courts). Open any judge to see their tenure and whom they succeeded.

Source: CourtListener / Free Law Project (bulk data); selection method from the National Center for State Courts. Data as of 2026-03-31 (CourtListener bulk snapshot). Verify against the primary source before relying. Not a consumer report (FCRA).