The Santa Barbara County Superior Court recently announced that there are some new faces on the bench for 2009.
Three judges have been sworn into the court system, including Judge Jed Beebe. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger appointed Judge Jean Dandona to fill the seat vacated by Judge Joseph Lodge, who passed away last year. Dandona will handle criminal trials and calendars in Santa Barbara. The governor also appointed Judge Kay Kuns to fill another seat, left vacant by Judge Rodney Melville’s retirement in 2007. Kuns will be assigned to the Lompoc Division and hear a variety of cases, including criminal trials and calendars.
“I am very pleased that the court is so fortunate to have three new judges who are all such outstanding individuals. They will be fine jurists and are a welcome addition to our court,” Judge Arthur Garcia said in a release to the media.
Along with the new judges, there have been several judicial assignment changes for 2009.
Garcia has taken over the duties of presiding judge for calendar years 2009 and 2010. He replaces outgoing presiding judge J. William McLafferty, who served in the position in 2007 and 2008. Judge Garcia sits in the Santa Maria Division of the Superior Court and hears civil trials and calendars. As presiding judge, Garcia oversees judicial assignments and administrative matters countywide.
Replacing Garcia as assistant presiding judge for 2009 and 2010 is Judge Brian Hill. Hill will continue to be the supervising judge of the Santa Barbara Criminal Division.
Judge James Iwasko will move from the Lompoc Division to hear criminal trials and calendars in Santa Maria, and Judge James Rigali is being re-assigned from the Santa Maria Criminal Division to the Santa Maria Civil Division.
This article appears in Jan 8-15, 2009.