Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Vacant Fresno Judge Seat to be Filled by Newsom 'Soon,' says Insider
David Website Replacement
By David Taub, Senior Reporter
Published 2 years ago on
February 24, 2023

Share

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

A vacant seat on the Fresno County Superior Court bench could be filled “soon,” a high-level official said.

Luis Cespedes is Gov. Gavin Newsom’s judicial appointments secretary. He delivered the keynote address in Fresno on Thursday night to at an event celebrating the launch of three ethnic bar associations.

Cespedes talked about groundbreakers in the California legal profession, and the need and value of diversity.

Speaking briefly with GV Wire, Cespedes would not divulge who might replace retired Fresno County Judge Rosemary McGuire, who left the bench last month. He would not say how soon is “soon.”

When a judge leaves during the middle of a term, the vacancy is filled by an appointment from the governor. There could be two more openings in the next few months, several sources told GV Wire, although the names could not be confirmed.

Generally, a judge considers retirement after 20 years of service. In Fresno County, Timothy Kams (appointed in 1998), Greg Fain (1998), Gary Orozco (2001), Jon Kapetan (2003), and John Vogt (2003) are all at the 20-year mark or beyond.

Several sources said Kapetan is the next to hang up the robe.

Sources say Judge Jon Kapetan is set to retire soon. (GV Wire File)

New Bar Associations Form

The Black Lawyers Association of Central California, Central Valley PrideLaw Association and the South Asian Bar Associate of Central California met at Rosé in downtown Fresno to celebrate their new groups.

State Supreme Court Justice Martin Jenkins had to settle for a Zoom appearance — inclement weather kept him in Sacramento.

Several local and federal judges attended the event. One federal judge had to leave the event early. Duty called — the judge had to head back to the office for an after-hours warrant.

RELATED TOPICS:

DON'T MISS

Sanger Police Seek Public’s Help Locating At-Risk Man

DON'T MISS

Fresno Man Charged with DUI, Manslaughter After Fatal Head-On Collision on the 180

DON'T MISS

Fresno Driver Injured, Passenger Killed in Highway 41 Crash

DON'T MISS

After Delay, Trump Signs Agreement With Biden White House to Begin Formal Transition Handoff

DON'T MISS

Biden Proposes Medicare and Medicaid Cover Costly Weight-Loss Drugs for Millions of Obese Americans

DON'T MISS

Modesto Trails Debut at Newest State Park in Time to Burn Off Thanksgiving Calories

DON'T MISS

‘Best Opening’ in a Decade: China Peak’s Ski Slopes Ready for Friday

DON'T MISS

Fresno County Resident Killed by Rabies Infection After Suspected Bat Bite in Merced County

DON'T MISS

Traffic Citations Against Dolphins’ Tyreek Hill Dismissed After Officers No-Show at Hearing

DON'T MISS

Biden Administration to Loan $6.6B to EV Maker Rivian to Build Georgia Factory

UP NEXT

‘Best Opening’ in a Decade: China Peak’s Ski Slopes Ready for Friday

UP NEXT

Fresno County Resident Killed by Rabies Infection After Suspected Bat Bite in Merced County

UP NEXT

Making Spirits Brighter: 31 Years of Community Supporting Children and Families

UP NEXT

Fresno Man Stole From His Company for Years. Now He’s Going to Prison.

UP NEXT

Fresno County Dairyman Responds to Raw Milk Recall After Avian Flu Detected

UP NEXT

CBS News’ Costa Loves Fresno State and Valley Politics. He’s Coming Back.

UP NEXT

Kingsburg Firefighters Injured in Highway 99 Rollover Crash

UP NEXT

Fresno Driver in Custody After Crash at Herndon and Fruit in Suspected DUI

UP NEXT

Fresno State Nursing Prof, Students Brings Street Medicine Clinic to Fresno, Madera

UP NEXT

Madera Pharmacist Gets 7-Year Federal Sentence for Trafficking Opioids

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

After Delay, Trump Signs Agreement With Biden White House to Begin Formal Transition Handoff

9 hours ago

Biden Proposes Medicare and Medicaid Cover Costly Weight-Loss Drugs for Millions of Obese Americans

9 hours ago

Modesto Trails Debut at Newest State Park in Time to Burn Off Thanksgiving Calories

9 hours ago

‘Best Opening’ in a Decade: China Peak’s Ski Slopes Ready for Friday

10 hours ago

Fresno County Resident Killed by Rabies Infection After Suspected Bat Bite in Merced County

10 hours ago

Traffic Citations Against Dolphins’ Tyreek Hill Dismissed After Officers No-Show at Hearing

10 hours ago

Biden Administration to Loan $6.6B to EV Maker Rivian to Build Georgia Factory

10 hours ago

Israel Approves Proposed Ceasefire With Lebanon’s Hezbollah

11 hours ago

Making Spirits Brighter: 31 Years of Community Supporting Children and Families

11 hours ago

Fresno Man Stole From His Company for Years. Now He’s Going to Prison.

12 hours ago

Sanger Police Seek Public’s Help Locating At-Risk Man

Authorities are searching for a man who walked away from his Sanger residence Tuesday morning and is considered at risk due to mental health...

7 hours ago

Sanger police are searching for Antonio Rosales, 27, an at-risk man with mental health issues last seen Tuesday morning. (Sanger PD)
7 hours ago

Sanger Police Seek Public’s Help Locating At-Risk Man

Santiago Lopez Lucas, 56, of Fresno, was booked into the Fresno County Jail on felony DUI, DUI causing death, and vehicular manslaughter charges, according to the Fresno County Sheriff's Office. (Fresno County SO)
8 hours ago

Fresno Man Charged with DUI, Manslaughter After Fatal Head-On Collision on the 180

8 hours ago

Fresno Driver Injured, Passenger Killed in Highway 41 Crash

9 hours ago

After Delay, Trump Signs Agreement With Biden White House to Begin Formal Transition Handoff

9 hours ago

Biden Proposes Medicare and Medicaid Cover Costly Weight-Loss Drugs for Millions of Obese Americans

9 hours ago

Modesto Trails Debut at Newest State Park in Time to Burn Off Thanksgiving Calories

10 hours ago

‘Best Opening’ in a Decade: China Peak’s Ski Slopes Ready for Friday

10 hours ago

Fresno County Resident Killed by Rabies Infection After Suspected Bat Bite in Merced County

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

Search

Send this to a friend