A state trial court / Established 1962

Superior Court of California, County of Tehama

A general-jurisdiction trial court in California.

The Superior Court of California, County of Tehama 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.

10
Judges in history
1
Currently serving
Merit selection
Selection
12-yr
Term
Current judges
JudgeSince
Laura Susanne Woods2017
Former judges
JudgeYears
Matthew C. McGlynn2013–2022
C. Todd Bottke2010–2019
Jonathan Skillman2010–2020
Richard Scheuler2001–2013
John J. Garaventa1998–2016
Elmer R. Jennings1998–2000
Dennis E. Murray1990–2010
Richard E. Hultgren1984–1990
Noel Watkins1962–1997

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