Placer County Judges
Current judicial officers, their assignments, and how to research their records.
Judicial Directory
Source: placer.courts.ca.gov — Judicial Assignments
| Name | Title | Departments | Primary Case Types |
|---|---|---|---|
| Judge Jeffrey Penney | Presiding Judge | 44 | Criminal, Community Court |
| Judge Suzanne Gazzaniga | Assistant Presiding Judge | 20, 43 | Criminal, Trials, Family Law, Juvenile Drug Court |
| Judge Melissa Begley | Judge | 12 | Juvenile Justice & Dependency |
| Judge Raymonn DeJesus | Judge | 20, 30, 33, 43 | Criminal, Traffic, DUI, Trials |
| Judge Leon Dixson | Judge | 32, 40 | Criminal, Civil, Family Support, Recovery Court |
| Judge Trisha Hirashima | Judge | 42 | Trials |
| Judge Glenn Holley | Judge | 1, 41 | Family Law |
| Judge Garen Horst | Judge | 4, 30, 32 | Trials, Traffic, Criminal |
| Judge Todd Irby | Judge | 30, 32, 43 | Traffic, Criminal, Trials, Family Law |
| Judge Michael Jones | Judge | 3, 20 | Trials, Civil Law & Motion, Criminal |
| Judge Shani Roark | Judge | 1, 41 | Family Law |
Commissioners
Commissioners are appointed by the court — not elected. See "Judges vs. Commissioners" below.
| Name | Departments | Primary Case Types |
|---|---|---|
| Commissioner Christine Dehr | 2, 6, 14 | Trials, Family Law, Criminal (Tahoe), Drug Court |
| Commissioner Albert Erkel | 6, 30, 33 | Family Law, Traffic, Criminal DUI, Veterans Court |
| Commissioner Michael Jacques | 33, 40 | Criminal, Civil, Family Support |
Courthouse Locations
Hon. Howard G. Gibson Courthouse (Main)
10820 Justice Center Drive, Roseville, CA 95678
Phone: (916) 408-6000
Courtrooms: Departments 30–44
Services: Clerk's Office, Self-Help Center, Jury Services, Mediation, Court Executive Office
Historic Courthouse
101 Maple Street, Auburn, CA 95603
Phone: (916) 408-6000
Courtrooms: Departments 1–6
Services: Clerk's Office
Juvenile Courthouse
11270 B Avenue, Auburn, CA 95603
Phone: (530) 745-2100
Courtrooms: Department 12
Services: Clerk's Office (Juvenile Cases Only)
Tahoe Courthouse
2501 N. Lake Blvd, Tahoe City, CA 96145
Phone: (530) 584-3460
Courtrooms: Department 14
Services: Clerk's Office
How Judges Are Elected
Superior Court judges run on a nonpartisan ballot to 6-year terms. Any active member of the California State Bar with at least ten years of experience may challenge a sitting judge. Vacancies between elections are filled by gubernatorial appointment, with the appointee standing for election at the next even-year cycle.
Judges vs. Commissioners
Elected judges and court-appointed commissioners are both judicial officers, but they differ significantly. Judges are elected by voters and have full judicial authority. Commissioners are appointed by the court itself — not elected — and exercise limited, consent-based judicial authority. Commissioners can be removed by the court without voter input.
Accountability
Sitting judges can be recalled by voters, removed by the Commission on Judicial Performance (CJP), or reversed on appeal. The CJP publishes all public discipline decisions at cjp.ca.gov. Campaign finance disclosures for judicial candidates are filed with the FPPC and are searchable at fppc.ca.gov.
FAQs
Can I attend a court hearing?
Most hearings are open to the public. Check the court calendar at placer.courts.ca.gov for scheduled hearings and locations.
How do I find out which judge is assigned to my case?
Search by case number at placer.courts.ca.gov. The assigned department and judge will appear in the case details.
Can a judge be removed from my case?
Yes. Either party may file a peremptory challenge (CCP § 170.6) once per case without stating a reason. Judges may also be disqualified for cause, or may recuse themselves voluntarily.
How do I file a complaint against a judge?
Complaints go to the California Commission on Judicial Performance at cjp.ca.gov. Note: complaints about commissioners follow the same process. See the Resources page for step-by-step guidance.