A state trial court / Established 1964

Superior Court of California, County of Sacramento

A general-jurisdiction trial court in California.

The Superior Court of California, County of Sacramento 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.

137
Judges in history
51
Currently serving
Merit selection
Selection
12-yr
Term
Current judges
Former judges
JudgeYears
Michael G. Bowman2014–2020
Alubunmi O. Awoniyi2012–2014
Kevin R. Culhane2009–2017
Marjorie Koller2009–2018
Louis Robert Keane Mauro2009–2010
Robert M. Twiss2009–2019
Elena Jeannette Duarte2008–2010
Eugene L. Balonon2005–2020
Laurie M. Earl2005–2013
Raoul M. Thorbourne2005–2020
Robert C. Hight2003–2016
Steve White2003–2011
David W. Abbott2002–2020
Raymond M. Cadei2002–2018
Timothy M. Frawley2002–2018
Russell L. Hom2002–2021
Troy Lynne Nunley2002–2013
David De Alba2001–2019
John A. Mendez2001–2008
Douglas R. Shuman2001–2006
James M. Mize2000–2009
Loren E. McMaster1999–2010
Gerald S. Bakarich1998–2008
Roland L. Candee1998–2013
Patricia C. Esgro1998–2008
James P. Henke1998–2007
John B. Lewis Jr.1998–2001
Rudolph (Barry) Loncke1998–2001
Alice A. Lytle1998–2003
Craig Manson1998–2002
Cheryl Chun Meegan1998–2017
Gary S. Mullen1998–2011
Gail D. Ohanesian1998–2008
L. Stephen Porter1998–2000
Renard F. Shepard1998–2009
John V. Stroud1998–2000
Michael S. Ullman1998–2003
Jane Ure1998–2008
Tani Gorre Cantil-Sakauye1997–2005
Lloyd G. Connelly1993–2012
Faith J. Geoghegan1991–2001
Charles C. Kobayashi1991–2006
William White1991–1991
Talmadge R. Jones1990–2007
Richard E. Tuttle1990–1990
Joe S. Gray1989–2003
Jeffrey L. Gunther1989–2004
Peter J. McBrien1989–2014
Vance Wallace Raye1989–1990
M. David Stirling1989–1990
Kenneth L. Hake1988–2005
Gary E. Ransom1988–2002
Lawrence W., Jr. Marvin1987–1990
William R. Ridgeway1986–1997
Ronald B. Robie1986–2002
Anthony , Jr. DeCristoforo1985–1999
Darrel W. Lewis1984–1999
James I. Morris1984–2004
Richard Kent Park1984–2005
Allen P. Fields1983–1993
James L. Long1982–2011
Steven H. Rodda1982–2008
Roger K. Warren1982–1996
James Timothy Ford1981–2001
Peter N. Mering1981–1999
Ronald W. Tochterman1981–1999
Cecily Bond1980–2000
Carol J. Miller1980–1989
Robert N. Zarick1980–1984
Benjamin Diaz1979–1986
Eugene T. Gualco1979–1995
Richard A. Backus1978–1993
Horace Cecchettini1978–1993
Sheldon H. Grossfeld1977–1985
Rothwell B. Mason1977–1991
John J. Boskovich1976–1991
William H. Lally1975–1988
William McKendree Morgan1975–1989
John M. Sapunor1975–2008
Michael J. Virga1974–2005
Lloyd Allan, Jr. Phillips1969–1988
B. Abbott Goldberg1966–1979
Mamoru Sakuma1965–1984
Joseph G. Babich1964–1984
Robert W. Cole1964–1985
William M. Gallagher1964–1980

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