Sonny S. Sandhu
CA · Associate Justice, California Court of Appeal, Fifth Appellate District
Sandhu is an associate justice of California's Fifth District Court of Appeal. He previously served on the Stanislaus County Superior Court, including as presiding judge, and as the county public defender.
Track record
Track record — General
General · 7 records
Was unanimously confirmed as an associate justice of the Fifth District Court of Appeal.
August 6, 2026
Source: appellate.courts.ca.gov
Became the first Asian American Pacific Islander justice to serve on the Fifth District Court of Appeal.
August 6, 2026
Source: appellate.courts.ca.gov
Ended his service as presiding judge after nomination to the Court of Appeal.
July 1, 2026
Source: stanislaus.courts.ca.gov
Was nominated as an associate justice of the Fifth District Court of Appeal.
June 2, 2026
Source: gov.ca.gov
Became presiding judge of the Stanislaus County Superior Court.
January 1, 2025
Source: appellate.courts.ca.gov
Became assistant presiding judge of the Stanislaus County Superior Court.
January 1, 2023
Source: appellate.courts.ca.gov
Was appointed a judge of the Stanislaus County Superior Court.
October 11, 2018
Source: appellate.courts.ca.gov
Track record — Legal Competence
Legal Competence · 24 favorable
Was unanimously confirmed as an associate justice of the Fifth District Court of Appeal.
August 6, 2026Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: appellate.courts.ca.gov
Became the first Asian American Pacific Islander justice to serve on the Fifth District Court of Appeal.
August 6, 2026Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: appellate.courts.ca.gov
Ended his service as presiding judge after nomination to the Court of Appeal.
July 1, 2026Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: stanislaus.courts.ca.gov
Was nominated as an associate justice of the Fifth District Court of Appeal.
June 2, 2026Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: gov.ca.gov
Helped lead the First Impressions Program with the Stanislaus County Office of Education.
January 1, 2026Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: appellate.courts.ca.gov
Conditionally granted a new trial in Gharraee v. Trader Joe's unless the plaintiff accepted a reduced $10.8 million award.
December 16, 2025Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: law.justia.com
Presided over a Trader Joe's negligence trial that returned a $23.5 million verdict.
October 3, 2025Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: law.justia.com
Oversaw the Stanislaus County civil grand jury during the 2024-2025 term.
June 1, 2025Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: stanislaus.courts.ca.gov
Became presiding judge of the Stanislaus County Superior Court.
January 1, 2025Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: appellate.courts.ca.gov
Served on the Judicial Diversity Summit Advisory Committee.
January 1, 2024Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: appellate.courts.ca.gov
Chaired the Judges in the Classroom outreach initiative in Stanislaus County.
September 1, 2023Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: appellate.courts.ca.gov
Dismissed Schmidt v. Trinut Farm Management under a forum-selection clause; the Court of Appeal later reversed the judgment.
June 27, 2023Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: law.justia.com
Became assistant presiding judge of the Stanislaus County Superior Court.
January 1, 2023Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: appellate.courts.ca.gov
Helped establish the Stanislaus County Court Observer Program with California State University, Stanislaus.
June 1, 2022Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: appellate.courts.ca.gov
Granted anti-SLAPP motions dismissing claims against Doctors Medical Center; the Court of Appeal later reversed the orders.
May 27, 2022Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: law.justia.com
Became president of the California Asian Pacific American Judges Association.
January 1, 2022Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: capaja.org
Served on the Judicial Council Trial Court Budget Advisory Committee.
January 1, 2021Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: appellate.courts.ca.gov
Presided over civil matters in Stanislaus County Superior Court.
January 1, 2020Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: appellate.courts.ca.gov
Presided over criminal matters in Stanislaus County Superior Court.
January 1, 2019Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: appellate.courts.ca.gov
Joined the executive board of the California Asian Pacific American Judges Association.
January 1, 2019Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: capaja.org
Was appointed a judge of the Stanislaus County Superior Court.
October 11, 2018Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: appellate.courts.ca.gov
Became public defender of Stanislaus County.
January 1, 2017Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: appellate.courts.ca.gov
Became chief deputy public defender of Stanislaus County.
January 1, 2015Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: appellate.courts.ca.gov
Became a deputy public defender in Stanislaus County.
January 1, 2003Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: appellate.courts.ca.gov
Track record — Candidate Ethics
Candidate Ethics · 5 records
Oversaw the Stanislaus County civil grand jury during the 2024-2025 term.
June 1, 2025
Source: stanislaus.courts.ca.gov
Served on the Judicial Diversity Summit Advisory Committee.
January 1, 2024
Source: appellate.courts.ca.gov
Became president of the California Asian Pacific American Judges Association.
January 1, 2022
Source: capaja.org
Served on the Judicial Council Trial Court Budget Advisory Committee.
January 1, 2021
Source: appellate.courts.ca.gov
Joined the executive board of the California Asian Pacific American Judges Association.
January 1, 2019
Source: capaja.org
Past race Sonny S. Sandhu ran in:
- Associate Justice, Court of Appeal, Fifth District: Shall Associate Justice SONNY S. SANDHU be elected to the office for the term provided by law? · November 3, 2026 · California · incumbent