Superior Court of California, County of Stanislaus
A general-jurisdiction trial court in California.
The Superior Court of California, County of Stanislaus 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
- Nancy Ashley
- Linda A. McFadden
- Scott T. Steffen
- Thomas D. Zeff
- John D. Freeland
- Ann Q. Ameral
- Valli K. Israels
- Shawn D. Bessey
- Robert B. Westbrook
- Alan K. Cassidy
- Rubén A. Villalobos
- Stacy P. Speiller
- Sandip S. Sandhu
- Carrie M. Stephens
- Kellee C. Westbrook
Former judges
| Judge | Years |
|---|---|
| Hugh K. Swift | 2013–2015 |
| Nan Cohan Jacobs | 2008–2015 |
| Dawna Reeves | 2008–2020 |
| Timothy W. Salter | 2006–2018 |
| Joseph R. Distaso | 2005–2019 |
| Ricardo Cordova | 2003–2018 |
| Jack M. Jacobson | 2003–2010 |
| Wray F. Ladine | 2000–2004 |
| William A. Mayhew | 2000–2002 |
| Roger M. Beauchesne | 1998–2019 |
| Loretta Murphy Begen | 1998–2018 |
| Terry K. Cole | 1998–2003 |
| Michael Richard Cummins | 1998–2006 |
| Susan D. Siefkin | 1998–2013 |
| Marie Sovey Silveira | 1998–2020 |
| David G. Vander Wall | 1993–2009 |
| Glenn A., Jr. Ritchey | 1991–2002 |
| John E., Jr. Griffin | 1990–2006 |
| Aldo Girolami | 1988–2005 |
| Donald B. Cantwell | 1983–1994 |
| Edward M., Jr. Lacy | 1983–2002 |
| Eugene M. Azevedo | 1982–1990 |
| Charles V. Stone | 1982–1995 |
| Hugh III Rose | 1979–1999 |
| Norman S. Reid | 1975–1989 |
| Frank S. Pierson | 1969–1992 |
| Gerald V. Underwood | 1968–1988 |
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 Stanislaus 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).