Associate Justice, Court of Appeal, Fourth District, Division One: Shall Associate Justice DAVID M. RUBIN be elected to the office for the term provided by law?
Source: electionresults.sos.ca.gov
What does this office do?
- Deciding what state laws and the state constitution mean
- Setting rulings that lower state courts must follow
- Deciding major criminal and civil cases
Affects: Public Safety and Crime Control, Criminal Justice and Civil Liberties, Gun Control,
David M. Rubin
Nonpartisan · Incumbent · Official site
Rubin has served as an associate justice in Division One of California's Fourth District Court of Appeal since 2023. He previously served for nearly 17 years on the San Diego Superior Court.
Track record
Track record — General
General · 16 records
Appeared on the November 2026 ballot for retention in Division One of the Fourth District Court of Appeal.
September 13, 2026
Source: elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov
Continued serving as an associate justice in Division One of the Fourth District Court of Appeal.
September 13, 2026
Source: appellate.courts.ca.gov
Joined Mata v. Digital Recognition Network, requiring actual harm for standing under California's automated-license-plate-recognition law.
July 20, 2026
Source: law.justia.com
Joined J.S. v. D.A., reversing a restraining order entered without addressing an indigent inmate's request for meaningful court access.
February 25, 2026
Source: law.justia.com
Joined McDoniel v. Kavry Management, recognizing wrongful-discharge liability for firing an employee based on a compelled polygraph.
September 30, 2025
Source: law.justia.com
Authored Palm Springs Promenade v. Department of Industrial Relations, applying prevailing-wage law to a privately controlled redevelopment project using public funds.
June 13, 2025
Source: law.justia.com
Joined McIntosh v. Superior Court, requiring an independent inquiry into appointed counsel for an indigent Racial Justice Act habeas petitioner.
March 28, 2025
Source: law.justia.com
Began serving as an associate justice in Division One of the Fourth District Court of Appeal.
June 26, 2023
Source: appellate.courts.ca.gov
Filled the appellate vacancy created by Justice Cynthia G. Aaron's retirement.
June 23, 2023
Source: newsroom.courts.ca.gov
Was unanimously confirmed by the Commission on Judicial Appointments for the Court of Appeal.
June 23, 2023
Source: appellate.courts.ca.gov
Was appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom to Division One of the Fourth District Court of Appeal.
March 30, 2023
Source: appellate.courts.ca.gov
Completed a 20-year career as a San Diego County deputy district attorney.
January 1, 2007
Source: newsroom.courts.ca.gov
Served in the San Diego County Superior Court's criminal division.
January 1, 2007
Source: appellate.courts.ca.gov
Joined the San Diego County Superior Court bench.
January 1, 2007
Source: appellate.courts.ca.gov
Received the San Diego County District Attorney's Prosecutor of the Year Award.
January 1, 2006
Source: appellate.courts.ca.gov
Began serving as a deputy district attorney in San Diego County.
January 1, 1987
Source: newsroom.courts.ca.gov
Track record — Legal Competence
Legal Competence · 9 favorable
Served the final three years of his trial-court tenure in the San Diego County Superior Court's Appellate Division.
January 1, 2020Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: appellate.courts.ca.gov
Chaired the Judicial Council's Litigation Management Committee.
January 1, 2013Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: appellate.courts.ca.gov
Joined the Judicial Council of California as a voting member.
January 1, 2013Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: appellate.courts.ca.gov
Chaired the Judicial Council executive committee's Real Estate Policy Subcommittee.
January 1, 2013Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: appellate.courts.ca.gov
Chaired the Judicial Branch Budget Committee.
January 1, 2013Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: appellate.courts.ca.gov
Served as president of the California Judges Association.
January 1, 2011Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: appellate.courts.ca.gov
Served on the California Judges Association board of directors.
January 1, 2009Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: appellate.courts.ca.gov
Presided over civil matters on the San Diego County Superior Court.
January 1, 2007Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: appellate.courts.ca.gov
Handled assignments in the San Diego County Superior Court's family division.
January 1, 2007Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: appellate.courts.ca.gov
Track record — Candidate Ethics
Candidate Ethics · 1 record
Authored Higginson v. Kia Motors America, ordering a new consumer-warranty trial and sanctions for discovery misconduct.
January 9, 2026
Source: law.justia.com
Source: elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov