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Sonny S. Sandhu↗
Associate Justice
First retention voteTrellis trial record
Former Stanislaus County Public Defender; Stanislaus trial judge 2018 to 2026, presiding judge from 2025. Appointed 2026; no widely reported appellate rulings yet.
On your ballot. Vote Yes or No on keeping Sonny S. Sandhu on the court (first retention vote). Appears on ballots in Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera, Mariposa, Merced, Stanislaus, Tulare and Tuolumne.
Qualifications
Appointment. Appointed by Gov. Newsom, 2026.
Outside rating. None found. The State Bar rates nominees before appointment, but we could not find this rating in public sources.
Before the bench. Stanislaus County deputy public defender, rising to Public Defender. Stanislaus Superior Court judge 2018 to 2026 (criminal and civil); presiding judge from 2025.
Conduct
No public discipline or controversies found.
What others recommend
- YesIndivisible Marin (Yes on all California justices) (progressive group)
- NoCraig Huey voter guide (conservative guide)
- NoReform California (conservative guide)
In this district, we found published positions mainly from conservative and Republican groups. Most Democratic, progressive and newspaper groups here had not published positions on these justices as of October 16.
Robyn Nordell's conservative guide repeats Craig Huey's picks, so it is not listed separately.
Trellis does not make recommendations. These are positions published by outside groups as of October 16, 2026. Labels describe each group's general leaning.
Notable rulings
No widely reported rulings found.
From the trial court record
Heard a mix of cases, most often injury and civil-harm cases (42%). Granted motions somewhat less often than the county average, and cases took longer than the county average, which usually reflects the kind of cases assigned.
Their trial court record, compared with other judges in the county
Bars compare this judge with county and state averages. Differences usually reflect the kinds of cases a judge was assigned.
Motions granted
Average case length
Time to trial
Caseload mix
Torts 42%, Creditor 31.2%, Commercial 11.3%
Stanislaus County Superior Court · 1,183 docketsUpdated 2026-10-02 · Full profile →
Sample rulings from the trial bench
- Civil rights & discriminationFormer employee v. Turlock Unified School District (2020-02-07)Motion granted A former employee claimed the district failed to accommodate her disability. The judge ruled for the district because she admitted every accommodation request was granted. Read the ruling on Trellis ›
- Government & public agenciesRatepayer v. Modesto Irrigation District (2020-07-08)Motion granted After finding the district's record did not prove the costs behind its rates, the judge let the district bring in a cost study for the refund phase, reasoning refunds could not be fairly calculated without it. Read the ruling on Trellis ›
Sources: Court bio
Others on the same ballot
- Arlan L. HarrellFormer bankruptcy litigator and Fresno deputy DA; Fresno commissioner and judge to 2025, presiding judge 2020 to 2022. Appointed 2025; no widely reported appellate rulings yet.
- Thomas DeSantosHanford private-practice lawyer for over 20 years; Kings County trial judge 2003 to 2018, presiding judge 2012 to 2014. No widely reported appellate rulings; no discipline found.
- Mark W. SnaufferFresno civil litigator for 23 years; Fresno trial judge 2000 to 2018. Reversed an order keeping Kern River water flowing for fish; now under Supreme Court review.
- Amy K. GuerraFormer chief defense attorney at Fresno's Alternate Defense Office; Fresno family law and domestic violence judge 2018 to 2026. Appointed 2026; no widely reported appellate rulings yet.
- Kathleen A. MeehanFormer securities litigator and deputy attorney general; Fresno commissioner and judge 2011 to 2017. Reversed a ruling for a baker who refused a same-sex couple's wedding cake.