Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero appointed three new voting members and six new advisory (non-voting) members to the Judicial Council. Four voting members were also reappointed.

“The council consists of judges, court executives, attorneys, and legislators who volunteer their time to help make the court system consistent, impartial, and accessible,” said the Chief Justice. “I thank our members for their dedication and service to the people of California.”

The following new advisory (non-voting) member of the council begins one-year term starting Sept. 15:

Presiding Judge Maria D. Hernandez, Superior Court of Orange County, will serve a one-year term on the council as chair of the council’s Trial Court Presiding Judges Advisory Committee. Judge Hernandez spent nine years with the county’s juvenile court, serving as the presiding judge from 2014 to 2018. She also created and presided over a dedicated court addressing commercially sexually exploited children and cochaired a committee addressing boys in the child welfare system. She recently launched a Young Adult Court, which addresses the special needs of emerging adults charged with felonies in the criminal justice system. Judge Hernandez has also served the Judicial Council’s Advisory Committee on Providing Access and Fairness, as well as the Keeping Kids in School and Out of Court Initiative.

Click here to view all appointments.