In the following articles, Supervising Judges Judith Craddick (Civil), John Kennedy (Criminal), Ed Weil (Family), Thomas Maddock (Juvenile), John Sugiyama (Probate), Mary Ann O’Malley (Pittsburg), Barbara Hinton (Richmond) and Brian Haynes (Traffic) each provide perspectives on the operations of their respective division.
Civil Law Perspective by Hon. Judith Craddick
The Civil Division judges will remain the same. Judge Barry Goode will continue on the complex litigation calendar, and Judges George Spanos, Jill Fannin and I will remain hearing general civil calendars. Effective January 2016, Judge Ed Weil will divide his time between general civil and probate. Read more…
Criminal Law Perspective by Hon. John Kennedy
The Criminal Courts of Contra Costa County continue to thrive despite the ongoing impact of budget cuts. This is made possible only because our judges, courtroom clerks, court reporters and bailiffs, along with the entire court staff and management, have worked tirelessly for years. Read more…
Family Law Perspective by Hon. Ed Weil
While this year has not been one of great changes in the Family Law Division, we have seen some new personnel and experienced a small expansion in our available resources. Happily, there is a bit more to come. Read more…
Juvenile Law Perspective by Hon. Thomas Maddock
Contra Costa Superior Court conducts all of the Juvenile Dependency Hearings and all of the Juvenile Delinquency Hearings for cases arising within our jurisdiction. I am supervising judge and the other judges assigned to the Juvenile Division are: Hon. Lois Haight, Hon. Rebecca Hardie, Hon. John (Jack) Laettner and Hon. Theresa Canepa. Read more…
Probate Perspective by Hon. John H. Sugiyama
In January 2016, Judge Susanne Fenstermacher will leave the Probate Division for an assignment with the Juvenile Division. Judge Ed Weil will join the division on a 50 percent assignment, with the rest of his time designated for the Civil Division. Read more…
Pittsburg Courthouse by Hon. Mary Ann O’Malley
After many years of presiding over felony trials in Martinez, I am thrilled to be supervising in our relatively new and beautiful Richard E. Arnason Justice Center. I remember attending the groundbreaking on December 12, 2008. I was proud to preside over the grand opening ceremony in 2010. Read more…
Richmond Courthouse by Hon. Barbara Hinton
The George D. Carroll Courthouse currently has five judges and one commissioner. The judges include Hon. Danielle Douglas, Comm. Peter Fagan, Hon. Joni Hiramoto, Hon. Nancy Stark and myself. We also have a vacant judicial position to which a visiting judge is assigned each week. Read more…
Traffic Division by Hon. Brian Haynes
In 2015, we said goodbye to Commissioner Ronald Creighton (retired), and hello to Commissioner Peter Fagan, who is assigned to the Walnut Creek Court in the morning, and the Richmond Court in the afternoon. Comm. Richards now hears Pittsburg cases in the morning. His afternoon calendar in Martinez is an eclectic mix that includes name changes, small claims and unlawful detainers. Read more…