You would think People who work in the courts would know who is up for re-election and when

 

(Judge Killoran 2018 photo from my blog)

(2017 appointment photo )

You would think People who work in the courts would know who is up for re-election and when. I did two posts on Humboldt Superior Court Judges for re-election next year. Everyone seems to be talking about Judge Joyce Hinrichs but she has two more than two years left in her term. I updated one of my previous posts after checking with Humboldt County Office of Elections. There is some new information about procedure I wanted to highlight given the whisperings on the 2nd floor about Judge Joyce Hinrich. 

The other day Deputy Conflict Counsel Owen Tipps told a colleague that Judge Hinrichs has an understanding and has expressed a wish that her position be filled via appointment and not election. Judge Hinrichs re-election year is 2026. Later, it was confirmed by someone else that Judge Hinrichs wants her position appointed and stated that a meeting. She may chose to retire early. Is there an arrangement by the Judges and others in the legal community to lobby the legislature? I hope it fails, the last appointment which was Judge Gregory Kreis has been a disaster. The public deserves to elect who we want and not have  special legal interests put someone in with backroom deals.

For the 2024 Election, Humboldt County Superior Court Judge Kreis and Lawrence Killoran are incumbents. Unless someone runs for those positions, they will be re-elected. Unlike Judge Kreis, Judge Killoran was elected.

For a Humboldt Superior Court Judge position, California Constitution Article VI Sec. 16 (b) and (c) apply. 

(b) Judges of superior courts shall be elected in their counties at general elections except as otherwise necessary to meet the requirements of federal law. In the latter case the Legislature, by two-thirds vote of the membership of each house thereof, with the advice of judges within the affected court, may provide for their election by the system prescribed in subdivision (d), or by any other arrangement. The Legislature may provide that an unopposed incumbent’s name not appear on the ballot.

(c) Terms of judges of superior courts are six years beginning the Monday after January 1 following their election. A vacancy shall be filled by election to a full term at the next general election after the second January 1 following the vacancy, but the Governor shall appoint a person to fill the vacancy temporarily until the elected judge’s term begins.

Previous posts:

https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2023/07/in-addition-to-two-judges-three.html?m=1

https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2023/06/two-of-humboldt-superior-court-judge.html?m=1