Superior Court of California, County of Santa Barbara
The Superior Court of California, County of Santa Barbara 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 |
|---|---|
| Thomas R. Adams Jr. | 1982 |
| James Francis Rigali | 2005 |
| Jean Marie Dandona | 2008 |
| Kay Susanne Kuns | 2008 |
| Donna D. Geck | 2010 |
| Colleen Kathryn Sterne | 2010 |
| John F. McGregor | 2012 |
| James Kenneth Voysey | 2013 |
| Jed Quinn Beebe | 2014 |
| Pauline Marie Maxwell | 2014 |
| Raimundo J. Montes de Oca | 2015 |
| Von T. Nguyen Deroian | 2018 |
| Judge | Years |
|---|---|
| Gustavo E. Lavayen | 2015–2019 |
| Michael J. Carrozzo | 2014–2020 |
| Patricia J. Kelly | 2010–2018 |
| J. William McLafferty | 2008–2008 |
| Edward H. Bullard | 2006–2013 |
| James E. Herman | 2005–2016 |
| George C. Eskin | 2003–2013 |
| Arthur A. Garcia | 2003–2014 |
| Brian Hill | 2003–2012 |
| James F. Iwasko | 2002–2014 |
| Clifford R. III Anderson | 1998–2004 |
| Barbara J. Beck | 1998–2005 |
| Rick S. Brown | 1998–2003 |
| Denise de Bellefeuille | 1998–2014 |
| Rogelio R. Flores | 1998–2018 |
| Diana R. Hall | 1998–2006 |
| Eugene L. Huseman | 1998–2001 |
| Harry J. Loberg | 1998–2003 |
| Joseph Lodge | 1998–2008 |
| Frank J. Ochoa | 1997–2015 |
| Rodney S. Melville | 1990–2007 |
| William L. Gordon | 1983–2002 |
| James B. Jennings | 1983–2004 |
| Patrick L. McMahon | 1983–1997 |
| John T. Rickard | 1982–1982 |
| James M. Slater | 1982–1997 |
| Richard Albert St. John | 1982–1998 |
| Ronald C. Stevens | 1982–1997 |
| Zel Canter | 1981–2006 |
| Bruce W. Dodds | 1977–1998 |
| Royce R. Lewellen | 1975–1990 |
How a judge reaches this court. Judges of the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Barbara 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).