A state trial court / Established 1968

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.

42
Judges in history
15
Currently serving
Merit selection
Selection
12-yr
Term
Current judges
Former judges
JudgeYears
Hugh K. Swift2013–2015
Nan Cohan Jacobs2008–2015
Dawna Reeves2008–2020
Timothy W. Salter2006–2018
Joseph R. Distaso2005–2019
Ricardo Cordova2003–2018
Jack M. Jacobson2003–2010
Wray F. Ladine2000–2004
William A. Mayhew2000–2002
Roger M. Beauchesne1998–2019
Loretta Murphy Begen1998–2018
Terry K. Cole1998–2003
Michael Richard Cummins1998–2006
Susan D. Siefkin1998–2013
Marie Sovey Silveira1998–2020
David G. Vander Wall1993–2009
Glenn A., Jr. Ritchey1991–2002
John E., Jr. Griffin1990–2006
Aldo Girolami1988–2005
Donald B. Cantwell1983–1994
Edward M., Jr. Lacy1983–2002
Eugene M. Azevedo1982–1990
Charles V. Stone1982–1995
Hugh III Rose1979–1999
Norman S. Reid1975–1989
Frank S. Pierson1969–1992
Gerald V. Underwood1968–1988

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 last verified 2026-06-30. Verify against the primary source before relying. Not a consumer report (FCRA).