Contra Costa Superior Court Judge Jesse Hsieh, pictured in 2023, is qualified and has done nothing to warrant removal from the bench.

In California, the vast majority of Superior Court judges are appointed by the governor. Before a prospective judge can take a seat on the bench via appointment, they must undergo a rigorous vetting process. 

As part of a months-long background check conducted by the State Bar of California’s Commission on Judicial Nominees Evaluation, prospective candidates must submit a list of 50 people they’ve worked with — including legal opponents they’ve faced in court. 

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Once on the bench, in the absence of scandal, most appointed judges are simply reappointed without their names appearing on the ballot — unless, that is, another candidate files paperwork to challenge them. 

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