Associate Justice, Court of Appeal, Second District, Division One: Shall Associate Justice MICHELLE C. KIM 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,
Michelle C. Kim
Nonpartisan · Incumbent · Official site
Kim is an associate justice in Division One of California's Second District Court of Appeal. She previously served on the Los Angeles Superior Court and worked as a deputy public defender and alternate public defender.
Track record
Track record — General
General · 5 records
Joined the Second District Court of Appeal as an associate justice after taking the oath of office.
November 25, 2024
Source: elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov
Governor Gavin Newsom nominated her as an associate justice of the Second District Court of Appeal, Division Eight.
September 30, 2024
Source: gov.ca.gov
Served as vice chair of the Los Angeles County Judicial Selection Advisory Committee.
January 1, 2024
Source: appellate.courts.ca.gov
Presided over limited-jurisdiction criminal matters on the Los Angeles County Superior Court.
June 1, 2018
Source: appellate.courts.ca.gov
Governor Jerry Brown appointed her to the Los Angeles County Superior Court.
June 1, 2018
Source: archive.gov.ca.gov
Track record — Legal Competence
Legal Competence · 18 favorable
Joined Decloedt v. RadNet Management, holding that sexual-orientation harassment is sexual harassment under California employment law and that federal law barred compelled arbitration of the claims.
June 26, 2026Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: law.justia.com
Joined In re Lynex, holding that a Racial Justice Act habeas petitioner needs a plausible allegation, rather than a prima facie showing, to obtain appointed counsel and remanding for further proceedings.
January 27, 2026Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: law.justia.com
Joined People v. Washington, reversing denial of resentencing because release on parole did not eliminate eligibility for statutory resentencing relief.
January 13, 2026Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: law.justia.com
Authored People v. Ruiz, vacating the sentence and remanding for resentencing after the California Supreme Court held defendants have a jury-trial right on aggravating facts used to impose an upper term.
November 21, 2025Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: case-law.vlex.com
Authored County of Los Angeles v. Lugo, reversing denial of a request to set aside a voluntary declaration of paternity, holding the request timely under the governing pre-2020 law, and remanding for a merits ruling.
November 21, 2025Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: law.justia.com
Authored People v. Shipp, affirming denial of murder resentencing after an evidentiary hearing because the prosecution proved guilt under current law.
November 20, 2025Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: case-law.vlex.com
Authored People v. Perry, affirming denial of resentencing because the defendant's admission that he was the shooter showed his murder liability did not rest on imputed malice.
October 6, 2025Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: case-law.vlex.com
Authored People v. Leiva, affirming murder and torture convictions in the death of a 10-year-old child and concluding substantial evidence supported the jury's finding of sadistic purpose.
July 24, 2025Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: leagle.com
Authored People v. Kim, affirming a restitution order that required additional payment to New York Life despite an earlier statement that restitution had been paid in full.
January 23, 2025Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: case-law.vlex.com
The Commission on Judicial Appointments unanimously confirmed her appellate appointment after the State Bar Commission on Judicial Nominees Evaluation rated her exceptionally well qualified.
November 25, 2024Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: newsroom.courts.ca.gov
Presided over an independent civil calendar at the Stanley Mosk Courthouse.
January 1, 2023Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: appellate.courts.ca.gov
Presided over an unlimited civil calendar at the Spring Street Courthouse.
January 1, 2022Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: appellate.courts.ca.gov
Served as site judge at multiple Los Angeles County courthouses.
January 1, 2020Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: appellate.courts.ca.gov
Served as assistant supervising judge for limited-jurisdiction criminal matters.
January 1, 2020Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: appellate.courts.ca.gov
Served as a departmental head deputy in the Los Angeles County Alternate Public Defender's Office.
January 1, 2015Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: appellate.courts.ca.gov
Tried felony jury cases as sole counsel while representing indigent defendants.
January 1, 2005Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: appellate.courts.ca.gov
Served as a Los Angeles County deputy alternate public defender from 2005 through 2018.
January 1, 2005Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: gov.ca.gov
Served as a Los Angeles County deputy public defender from 2003 through 2005.
January 1, 2003Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: gov.ca.gov
Source: elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov