Skip to main content.

Judicial Council of California

Message from the Jury Commissioner:

If you receive a call regarding your jury service from someone claiming to represent the Court or law enforcement, IT IS A SCAM. The Court or law enforcement will NEVER call you about your jury service or ask you for money. Do not under any circumstances pay any money in response to such a call. If you receive such a call, please contact the Court or law enforcement, or the FBI at (415) 553-7400.

Phone Scams

Monterey County Superior Court has become aware of a telephone scam impersonating court personnel and requesting or demanding a payment. The court would NEVER make such a call. Please do not act on such a call, and instead contact the main court telephone number at (831) 775-5400 for more information.

Judicial Assignments

2025 Judicial Assignments

Judge Carrie M. Panetta, Presiding Judge

Judge Rafael Vazquez, Assistant Presiding Judge

Please see linked PDF for information - 2025 Judicial Assignments

SALINAS COURTHOUSE

DEPARTMENT 1 3rd Floor	Hon. Stephanie E. Hulsey Prison Cases Parole Petitions & Post Release Community Supervision (PRCS) SVP & MDO Criminal Writ Department Felony Arraignments Civil Grand Jury Advisor
DEPARTMENT 2 3rd Floor	Hon. Andrew G. Liu Felony Trial Department (AAA-COR) Appellate Division
DEPARTMENT 3 3rd Floor	Hon. Pamela L. Butler Supervising Judge, Criminal Division Presiding Judge, Appellate Division Felony Trial Department (COS-HAR) Appellate Division
DEPARTMENT 4 2nd Floor	Hon. Jennifer O'Keefe Felony Trial Department (HAS-MEN) Appellate Division
DEPARTMENT 5 2nd Floor	Hon. Rafael Vazquez Assistant Presiding Judge Felony Trial Department (MEO-ROM)
DEPARTMENT 6 2nd Floor	Hon. Mark E. Hood Felony Trial Department (RON-ZZZ)
DEPARTMENT 7 1st Floor	Hon. Robert A. Burlison Misdemeanor Trial Department (A-GON) Appellate Division
DEPARTMENT 8 1st Floor	Hon. Jared Jefferson Misdemeanor Trial Department (GOO-PEP)
DEPARTMENT 9 1st Floor	Hon. Elisabeth K. Mineta Misdemeanor Trial Department (PER-Z)
DEPARTMENT 10 B Level	Hon. Timothy Roberts Juvenile Dependency Department Combined Drug Court DUI Treatment Court Military Diversion & Veterans Treatment Court Criminal Mental Health (CNC, Diversion and 1370.1) Withdrawal of Consent to Adopt
DEPARTMENT 11 B Level	Hon. Murat A. Ozgur Misdemeanor Arraignment Department
DEPARTMENT 12 1422 Natividad Road Salinas	Hon. Sam Lavorato, Jr. Supervising Judge, Juvenile Division Juvenile Justice Court Juvenile Truancy Department

MONTEREY COURTHOUSE

DEPARTMENT 13 3rd Floor	Hon. Julie R. Culver Probate Department LPS Conservatorships CARE Court Adoptions Unlawful Detainers Small Claims Appeals
DEPARTMENT 13A 3rd Floor	Hon. Ian A. Rivamonte Direct Calendar Civil Trial Department Ex Parte Calendar Labor Appeals Collections Fee Waiver Requests Riese Hearings / Mental Health Writs Civil Firearm Hearings
DEPARTMENT 14 2nd Floor	Hon. Carrie M. Panetta Presiding Judge Direct Calendar Civil Trial Department Complex Civil Ex Parte Calendar Judicial Administration
DEPARTMENT 15 2nd Floor	Hon. Thomas W. Wills Supervising Judge, Civil Division Direct Calendar Civil Trial Department Complex Civil Ex Parte Calendar
DEPARTMENT 16 1st Floor	Hon. Vanessa W. Vallarta Family Law Department (Cases ending in odd number for all purposes)
DEPARTMENT 16A 1st Floor	Comm. Maria L. Mendoza (One day a week) Domestic Violence Restraining Orders Civil Harassment Restraining Orders
DEPARTMENT 17 1st Floor	Hon. Heidi Whilden Family Law Department (Cases ending in even number for all purposes)

KING CITY COURTHOUSE

DEPARTMENT 18	Comm. William M. Litt Traffic Court (2nd Tuesday of the month) Comm. Stephen A Sillman DCSS/Child Support 3rd Wednesday of every other month

MARINA COURTHOUSE

DEPARTMENT 20	Comm. William M. Litt (Three days a week) Traffic Court Small Claims Comm. Maria L. Mendoza (Two days a week) Traffic Court
DEPARTMENT 21	Comm. Stephen A. Sillman Child Support Department Comm. Maria L. Mendoza (One day a week) Domestic Violence Restraining Orders Civil Harassment Restraining Orders

Was this helpful?