A state trial court / Established 1971

Superior Court of California, County of Nevada

A general-jurisdiction trial court in California.

The Superior Court of California, County of Nevada 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.

16
Judges in history
2
Currently serving
Merit selection
Selection
12-yr
Term
Current judges
Former judges
JudgeYears
Linda J. Sloven2012–2020
B. Scott Thomsen2010–2018
Thomas H. Anderson2007–2012
Candace S. Heidelberger2007–2015
Sean P. Dowling2005–2015
Julie A. McManus2005–2012
Albert Perry Dover1998–2007
Ersel L. Edwards1998–2005
C. Anders Holmer1998–2010
Mary Kathleen Butz1997–2003
John H. Darlington1989–2005
Carl F. II Bryan1986–2007
Frank D. Francis1977–1997
Harold F. Wolters1971–1986

How a judge reaches this court. Judges of the Superior Court of California, County of Nevada 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).