A state trial court / Established 1977

Superior Court of California, County of Imperial

A general-jurisdiction trial court in California.

The Superior Court of California, County of Imperial 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.

24
Judges in history
3
Currently serving
Merit selection
Selection
12-yr
Term
Current judges
Former judges
JudgeYears
William D. Quan2015–2019
L. Brooks Anderholt2013–2021
Ruth Bermudez Montenegro2012–2018
Christopher J. Plourd2011–2017
Diane B. Altamirano2010–2019
Poli , Jr. Flores2010–2015
William D. Lehman2006–2013
Barrett J. Foerster2003–2010
Annie M. Gutierrez2002–2008
Raymond Cota1998–2017
Donal B. Donnelly1998–2015
Jeffrey Bruce Jones1998–2007
Christopher W. Yeager1998–2015
Joseph Zimmerman1998–2010
Matias R. Contreras1995–2006
Juan Ulloa1995–2003
James H. Harmon1989–2003
David A. Blume1988–1989
William E. Lehnhardt1982–1995
L. Harold Chaille1981–1987
Henry Wien1977–1995

How a judge reaches this court. Judges of the Superior Court of California, County of Imperial 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 last verified 2026-06-30. Verify against the primary source before relying. Not a consumer report (FCRA).