Superior Court of California, County of Placer
A general-jurisdiction trial court in California.
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.
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
- Colleen M. Nichols-Chavez
- Jeffrey S. Penney
- Charles D. Wachob
- Mark S. Curry
- Michael W. Jones
- Suzanne I. Gazzaniga
- Garen J. Horst
- Todd D. Irby
Former judges
| 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 |
Other courts in County, California
County is also served by these courts.
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 as of 2026-03-31 (CourtListener bulk snapshot). Verify against the primary source before relying. Not a consumer report (FCRA).