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Mark Simons

CA · Associate Justice, California Court of Appeal, First Appellate District, Division Five

Official website

Simons is an associate justice in Division Five of California's First District Court of Appeal. He previously served on the Contra Costa Superior Court and Mt. Diablo Municipal Court.

Where Mark Simons stands, based on their records

Supports

Public Safety and Crime Control (4 records), Gun Control (1 record), Civil Rights (2 records)

Campaign finance information not available

Track record

Track record — Public Safety and Crime Control

Public Safety and Crime Control · 4 support
  • Joined Thompson v. Superior Court, holding that trial courts may impose reasonable rehabilitative search conditions in mental-health diversion.

    July 30, 2026Supports Public Safety and Crime Control

    Source: law.justia.com · researched September 13, 2026

  • Authored C.F. v. Alternative Family Services, affirming a verdict against a foster-family agency for negligent supervision connected to sexual abuse.

    June 4, 2026Supports Public Safety and Crime Control

    Source: law.justia.com · researched September 13, 2026

  • Joined People v. Anderson, affirming restitution to the California Lottery for stolen scratcher tickets.

    May 5, 2025Supports Public Safety and Crime Control

    Source: law.justia.com · researched September 13, 2026

  • Authored In re Samuel J., reviewing a juvenile probation revocation and commitment to the California Youth Authority.

    October 25, 2001Supports Public Safety and Crime Control

    Source: law.justia.com · researched September 13, 2026

Track record — Gun Control

Gun Control · 1 support
  • Joined People v. Crenshaw, upholding California's assault-weapons restrictions against a Second Amendment challenge while correcting custody credits.

    December 12, 2025Supports Gun Control

    Source: law.justia.com · researched September 13, 2026

Track record — Civil Rights

Civil Rights · 2 support
  • Authored C.F. v. Alternative Family Services, affirming a verdict against a foster-family agency for negligent supervision connected to sexual abuse.

    June 4, 2026Supports Civil Rights

    Source: law.justia.com · researched September 13, 2026

  • Authored Gionfriddo v. Major League Baseball, reconciling former players' publicity rights with constitutional free-expression protections.

    December 10, 2001Supports Civil Rights

    Source: law.justia.com · researched September 13, 2026

Track record — General

General · 3 records
  • Began serving as an associate justice in the First District Court of Appeal, Division Five.

    January 1, 2001

    Source: appellate.courts.ca.gov · researched September 13, 2026

  • Served as presiding judge of the Contra Costa County Superior Court from 1999 through 2000.

    January 1, 1999

    Source: professionals.justia.com · researched September 13, 2026

  • Began serving as a Contra Costa County Superior Court judge.

    January 1, 1995

    Source: professionals.justia.com · researched September 13, 2026

Track record — Legal Competence

Legal Competence · 19 favorable
  • Joined Thompson v. Superior Court, holding that trial courts may impose reasonable rehabilitative search conditions in mental-health diversion.

    July 30, 2026Favorable on Legal Competence

    Source: law.justia.com · researched September 13, 2026

  • Authored C.F. v. Alternative Family Services, affirming a verdict against a foster-family agency for negligent supervision connected to sexual abuse.

    June 4, 2026Favorable on Legal Competence

    Source: law.justia.com · researched September 13, 2026

  • Joined Citizens Against Marketplace v. City of San Ramon, affirming approval of an infill housing project against zoning and environmental-review challenges.

    April 24, 2026Favorable on Legal Competence

    Source: law.justia.com · researched September 13, 2026

  • Authored Independent Office of Law Enforcement Review and Outreach v. Sonoma County Sheriff's Office, enforcing an oversight agency's subpoenas for sheriff records.

    March 26, 2026Favorable on Legal Competence

    Source: law.justia.com · researched September 13, 2026

  • Joined Make UC a Good Neighbor v. Regents, affirming denial of attorney fees after the California Supreme Court reversed the group's earlier appellate victory.

    December 19, 2025Favorable on Legal Competence

    Source: law.justia.com · researched September 13, 2026

  • Joined People v. Crenshaw, upholding California's assault-weapons restrictions against a Second Amendment challenge while correcting custody credits.

    December 12, 2025Favorable on Legal Competence

    Source: law.justia.com · researched September 13, 2026

  • Joined People v. Anderson, affirming restitution to the California Lottery for stolen scratcher tickets.

    May 5, 2025Favorable on Legal Competence

    Source: law.justia.com · researched September 13, 2026

  • Sat by assignment on the California Supreme Court in Tarrant Bell Property v. Superior Court and joined its judgment affirming trial-court discretion over contractual reference requests.

    February 10, 2011Favorable on Legal Competence

    Source: scocal.stanford.edu · researched September 13, 2026

  • Taught as an adjunct law professor at Hastings College of the Law from 2002 through 2004.

    January 1, 2002Favorable on Legal Competence

    Source: professionals.justia.com · researched September 13, 2026

  • Authored Gionfriddo v. Major League Baseball, reconciling former players' publicity rights with constitutional free-expression protections.

    December 10, 2001Favorable on Legal Competence

    Source: law.justia.com · researched September 13, 2026

  • Authored In re Samuel J., reviewing a juvenile probation revocation and commitment to the California Youth Authority.

    October 25, 2001Favorable on Legal Competence

    Source: law.justia.com · researched September 13, 2026

  • Began serving as an associate justice in the First District Court of Appeal, Division Five.

    January 1, 2001Favorable on Legal Competence

    Source: appellate.courts.ca.gov · researched September 13, 2026

  • Received the Bernard Jefferson Award for distinguished service in judicial education.

    January 1, 2000Favorable on Legal Competence

    Source: professionals.justia.com · researched September 13, 2026

  • Served as presiding judge of the Contra Costa County Superior Court from 1999 through 2000.

    January 1, 1999Favorable on Legal Competence

    Source: professionals.justia.com · researched September 13, 2026

  • Began serving as a Contra Costa County Superior Court judge.

    January 1, 1995Favorable on Legal Competence

    Source: professionals.justia.com · researched September 13, 2026

  • Served as dean of the B.E. Witkin Judicial College from 1995 through 1996.

    January 1, 1995Favorable on Legal Competence

    Source: professionals.justia.com · researched September 13, 2026

  • Served as a Contra Costa County deputy public defender from 1973 through 1980.

    January 1, 1973Favorable on Legal Competence

    Source: professionals.justia.com · researched September 13, 2026

  • Worked as an associate at Cooley Godward from 1971 through 1973.

    January 1, 1971Favorable on Legal Competence

    Source: professionals.justia.com · researched September 13, 2026

  • Clerked for federal district judge Alvin B. Rubin in the Eastern District of Louisiana.

    January 1, 1970Favorable on Legal Competence

    Source: professionals.justia.com · researched September 13, 2026

Track record — Candidate Ethics

Candidate Ethics · 1 record
  • Authored Independent Office of Law Enforcement Review and Outreach v. Sonoma County Sheriff's Office, enforcing an oversight agency's subpoenas for sheriff records.

    March 26, 2026

    Source: law.justia.com · researched September 13, 2026

Retention question · November 3, 2026

Profile last researched September 12, 2026.