Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Retired Fresno Judge Arrested on Domestic Violence Charge: Police
David Website Replacement
By David Taub, Senior Reporter
Published 2 years ago on
December 20, 2022

Share

A prominent Fresno attorney and retired judge was arrested Saturday on suspicion of committing domestic violence.

Fresno Police confirm Oliver Wanger, 82, was taken into custody. Police did not provide any further information.

Former Fresno County Judge Oliver Wanger (Fresno County Sheriff’s Office)

Wanger’s booking record shows he was arrested at his northeast Fresno home early Saturday morning at 12:31 a.m.

A Fresno County Sheriff’s spokesman said Wanger spent slightly more than two hours in jail, posting a $25,000 bail around 4:15 a.m.

Wanger served as a federal judge for 20 years (1991-2011), and prior to that as a judge with the Fresno County Superior Court (1986-1991).

After retiring from the bench, Wanger continued to practice law, becoming an expert in water litigation.

Charges have not been filed, according to court records. The Fresno County Sheriff’s Office says Wanger has a court date scheduled for March 2, 2023.

Attorney Vows to Fight

His attorney, Peter Kapetan, praised Wanger.

“I have known Oliver Wanger for over 30 years both professionally and personally. He is a pillar of the community and an icon of the legal profession. As a former federal judge for the United States District Court, he was thoroughly vetted by the FBI and has an impeccable record. Throughout his 82 years, Mr. Wanger has donated his expertise for the benefit of this community and has given countless hours to local charitable concerns.

“It is unfortunate that he has had this allegation leveled against him. There are two sides to this allegation and, as his attorney, I remain hopeful that an objective review of the facts will mandate that no charges be filed. However, if charges are filed, Mr. Wanger will vigorously defend himself and we expect total vindication,” Kapetan said.

Kapetan would not elaborate on the nature of the arrest.

ABC 30 first reported the story.

RELATED TOPICS:

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

Life-Threatening Meals: Restaurants Would Identify Food Allergens for Diners Under This Proposed Law

DON'T MISS

Iran Threatens to Strike US Bases in Region if Military Conflict Arises

DON'T MISS

Trump Has Cut Science Funding to Its Lowest Level in Decades

DON'T MISS

Fresno Measure C Transportation Tax Talks Continue Amid Renewal Uncertainty

DON'T MISS

Judge Bars Trump Administration From Detaining Mahmoud Khalil

DON'T MISS

Is a Waxed Apple ‘Ultra-Processed?’ CA Bill Could Trigger a Lawsuit Barrage

DON'T MISS

Edmunds: These Five Vehicles Are Hidden Automotive Gems

DON'T MISS

GM to Invest $4 Billion to Shift Some Production From Mexico to the US

DON'T MISS

How Your Air Conditioner Can Help the Power Grid, Rather Than Overloading It

DON'T MISS

Hundreds of Laid-off CDC Employees Are Being Reinstated

UP NEXT

Free Food, Haircuts, and Rapid HIV Testing Friday in Fresno

UP NEXT

Harvey Weinstein Convicted of Sex Crime Amid Contentious Jury Deliberations

UP NEXT

Water Scarcity Is Forcing Tough Decisions. This Legislation Can Keep Our Family Farm Afloat

UP NEXT

LA Police Swiftly Enforce Curfew as Protests Against Trump’s Immigration Crackdown Continue

UP NEXT

Clovis Councilmember Basgall Says He Won’t Run for Re-Election

UP NEXT

An Unknowing Fresno County Gave Community Medical $2.7M While Hospital Engaged in Kickback Scheme

UP NEXT

Madera County’s Windy Fire Grows to 12 Acres Near Mammoth Pool Reservoir

UP NEXT

Chowchilla Officer Arrested in Sanger on Kidnapping and Assault Charges

UP NEXT

Valley Crime Stoppers’ Most Wanted Person of the Day: Freddie Aviles

UP NEXT

‘They’re Not Protests, They’re Riots’: Fresno Leaders Talk About LA Immigration Unrest

David Taub,
Senior Reporter
Curiosity drives David Taub. The award-winning journalist might be shy, but feels mighty with a recorder in his hand. He doesn't see it his job to "hold public officials accountable," but does see it to provide readers (and voters) the information needed to make intelligent choices. Taub has been honored with several writing awards from the California News Publishers Association. He's just happy to have his stories read. Joining GV Wire in 2016, Taub covers politics, government and elections, mainly in the Fresno/Clovis area. He also writes columns about local eateries (Appetite for Fresno), pro wrestling (Off the Bottom Rope), and media (Media Man). Prior to joining the online news source, Taub worked as a radio producer for KMJ and PowerTalk 96.7 in Fresno. He also worked as an assignment editor for KCOY-TV in Santa Maria, California, and KSEE-TV in Fresno. He has also worked behind the scenes for several sports broadcasts, including the NCAA basketball tournament, and the Super Bowl. When not spending time with his family, Taub loves to officially score Fresno Grizzlies games. Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, Taub is a die-hard Giants and 49ers fan. He graduated from the University of Michigan with dual degrees in communications and political science. Go Blue! You can contact David at 559-492-4037 or at Send an Email

Fresno Measure C Transportation Tax Talks Continue Amid Renewal Uncertainty

15 hours ago

Judge Bars Trump Administration From Detaining Mahmoud Khalil

15 hours ago

Is a Waxed Apple ‘Ultra-Processed?’ CA Bill Could Trigger a Lawsuit Barrage

15 hours ago

Edmunds: These Five Vehicles Are Hidden Automotive Gems

15 hours ago

GM to Invest $4 Billion to Shift Some Production From Mexico to the US

15 hours ago

How Your Air Conditioner Can Help the Power Grid, Rather Than Overloading It

15 hours ago

Hundreds of Laid-off CDC Employees Are Being Reinstated

16 hours ago

National Guard Troops Have Temporarily Detained Civilians in LA Protests, Commander Says

16 hours ago

This Israeli Government Is a Danger to Jews Everywhere

16 hours ago

Bass and Other California Mayors Call for End to Immigration Raids

17 hours ago

Life-Threatening Meals: Restaurants Would Identify Food Allergens for Diners Under This Proposed Law

This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. If Kim Nickols eats dairy, peanuts or wheat, her blood pre...

14 hours ago

14 hours ago

Life-Threatening Meals: Restaurants Would Identify Food Allergens for Diners Under This Proposed Law

14 hours ago

Iran Threatens to Strike US Bases in Region if Military Conflict Arises

15 hours ago

Trump Has Cut Science Funding to Its Lowest Level in Decades

15 hours ago

Fresno Measure C Transportation Tax Talks Continue Amid Renewal Uncertainty

15 hours ago

Judge Bars Trump Administration From Detaining Mahmoud Khalil

15 hours ago

Is a Waxed Apple ‘Ultra-Processed?’ CA Bill Could Trigger a Lawsuit Barrage

15 hours ago

Edmunds: These Five Vehicles Are Hidden Automotive Gems

15 hours ago

GM to Invest $4 Billion to Shift Some Production From Mexico to the US

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend