Superior Court of California, County of Placer
The Superior Court of California, County of Placer 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.
| Judge | Since |
|---|---|
| Colleen Marie Nichols-Chavez | 2005 |
| Jeffrey Scott Penney | 2005 |
| Charles David Wachob | 2005 |
| Mark Steven Curry | 2007 |
| Michael W. Jones | 2012 |
| Suzanne Irene Gazzaniga | 2013 |
| Garen James Horst | 2013 |
| Todd Darrow Irby | 2018 |
| Judge | Years |
|---|---|
| Larry D. Gaddis | 2007–2008 |
| Robert P. McElhany | 2005–2012 |
| Eugene S., Jr. Gini | 2002–2018 |
| Frances A. Kearney | 1998–2018 |
| Joseph O'Flaherty | 1998–2013 |
| Alan V. Pineschi | 1998–2021 |
| James L. Roeder | 1988–2005 |
| George Yonehiro | 1985–1987 |
| James D. Garbolino | 1984–2004 |
| W. Jackson Willoughby | 1984–1985 |
| Richard L. Gilbert | 1983–1991 |
| Howard G. Gibson | 1982–1983 |
| Ronald G. Cameron | 1980–1980 |
| J. Richard Couzens | 1980–2005 |
| Wayne D. Wylie | 1978–1984 |
How a judge reaches this court. Judges of the Superior Court of California, County of Placer 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).