Judge Pauline Maxwell Elected Assistant Presiding Judge

The Judges of the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Barbara, have elected Judge Pauline Maxwell as their incoming Assistant Presiding Judge for the term beginning January 2021 and concluding December 31, 2022. She will then become the Presiding Judge for the term beginning January 2023 and concluding December 31, 2024. The election took place at a Countywide Judges meeting conducted via Zoom on Friday September 18, 2020. The election is held pursuant to the Court’s local rules.

In 2010, Judge Maxwell was appointed Superior Court Commissioner, and presided over minor offense arraignments and trials, as well as Drug Court, Mental Health Treatment Court, and the Clean and Sober calendar. In 2014, Governor Jerry Brown appointed her Judge of the Superior Court. She has since presided over criminal, civil, family, and probate matters.

Upon being selected Judge Maxwell remarked, “I am grateful for the opportunity to serve the Court in this leadership capacity in delivering justice to the residents of Santa Barbara County. It is sure to be a challenging time, as we face budget cuts, but need to reopen the Courts to the public safely.”