"The Court is pleased to welcome Ms. April Van Dyke to the Humboldt County Superior Court bench."

 

(Photo of Judge Van Dyke with Dana Fite provided by family)

(Photo of Judge Kelly Neel and Judge Van Dyke provided by family)

Judge April Van Dyke is being sworn in this afternoon. I will be at her enrobing ceremony. I do know some of the lawyers who plan to be there as well as elected officials which include Humboldt Clerk, Recorder, Registrar of Voters Juan Cervantes and Eureka Councilmember G. Mario Fernandez. 

There are people like me who believed in Judge Van Dyke from day 1 who will be an attendance today. I look forward to sharing today with people who believe in equality, fairness and justice for the People.

Today, I took the day off and am making an exception to cover this event. If you are regular reader of my blog, you know the importance and benefit of our newest judge. 

I had already previously said that she would most likely be assigned to family court. The press release issued by Humboldt Superior Court confirms that assignment. Presiding Judge Kelly Neel will be moving to Courtroom 7 which is the juvenile court calendar.

Update: Mr. Cervantes made it to the last few minutes of the enrobing ceremony. DHHS Director Connie Beck was not there. Probation's Coral Sanders may have arrived late. Sheriff William Honsal was there. I did not take photos in the courtroom of the enrobing ceremony. They were provided to me later by family.

In addition to all the current members of the bench, Retired Judge Marilyn Miles was there for Judge Van Dyke's enrobing ceremony. Presiding Judge Kelly Neel administered the oath to Judge Van Dyke. Judge Neel said Judge Van Dyke will be a "benefit and treasure" to the Court.

A very moving speech was given by Dana Fite who is a friend and former colleague of JudgeVan Dyke. 

I did take photos at an invite only private reception later this evening at Phatsy Kline's.

(Judge April Van Dyke with Mr. Owen Tipps, Ms. Rosemary Deck, Ms. Heidi Holmquist Wells and Dana Fite Photo: John Chiv)

(Judge Van Dyke with the supportive men in her family Photo : John Chiv)

(Judge Van Dyke with Conflict Counsel Supervising Attorney Ms. Meagan O'Connell Photo: John Chiv)

(Photo: John Chiv)

Humboldt Superior Court press release:

April A. Van Dyke was elected to the position of Superior Court Judge, County of Humboldt, in March 2024.  She will be sworn in on January 3, 2025, and will begin her judicial duties in a family law assignment.   

Ms. Van Dyke has worked in public defense for 14 years. After graduating from McGeorge School of Law, she devoted her career to advocating for those who could not afford an attorney. She acquired extensive trial and litigation experience throughout her career, some of which was spent as a public defender in San Joaquin County. In 2019, she moved to Humboldt County where she continued her dedication to public service as Deputy Conflict Counsel, prior to becoming a solo practitioner.  During her years of devotion to public service, Ms. Van Dyke worked on the California Public Defenders Association Legislative Committee for over two years. She also drafted SB923 which was codified in Penal Code §859.7.   

Presiding Judge Kelly L. Neel stated that, “The Court is pleased to welcome Ms. April Van Dyke to the Humboldt County Superior Court bench.  We look forward to continuing our commitments to our community and have every confidence that Judge-Elect April Van Dyke shares our dedication to the same.”   

“I am deeply honored and incredibly grateful to Humboldt County for granting me the opportunity to serve as a Superior Court Judge.  This is a responsibility I take on with great humility and a steadfast commitment to upholding the integrity that this position demands and deserves,” stated Ms. Van Dyke.