Commissioner Sarah Kaber, Humboldt County Deputy District Attorney Jessica Watson and a female Humboldt County Deputy Counsel being considered as replacements for Retired Judge Joyce Hinrichs' seat

I have written previously about potential replacements for Humboldt Superior Court Retired Judge Joyce Hinrich's seat. In my December 2024, I  reminded people that former Judge Hinrichs told people in the legal community that in exchange for retiring early, she wanted a say in who would get her seat on the bench. Commissioner Sarah Kaber and Ms. Jennifer Dixon were names mentioned to me months ago.

The latest update is that surveys are being done to get input about three women. Commissioner Sarah Kaber, Humboldt County Deputy District Attorney Jessica Watson and a female Humboldt County Deputy Counsel.

Governor Gavin Newsom's office of Judicial Appointments is not going to comment while this is going on; I have contacted them before. 

I have often said and recently to several people at the Courthouse that instead of wasting money on Visiting and Retired Judges who rotate in Courtroom 2; they should just appoint Commissioner Kaber. And then find someone to replace her vacant position. They did that with former Commissioner and now Judge Timothy Canning.

I have no input but my choice from those three options would be Commissioner Kaber. Based on her rulings, her demeanor in court and the positive feedback from court staff and bailiffs; she is the obvious choice. There are many in the legal community who agree with me. These are the people who would appear in front of the next Humboldt Superior Court judge and for once, I hope the California Judicial Council listens to input. The JCC for once, could do something that would benefit Humboldt Superior Court.