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Sonny Sandhu nominated to California Appeals Court
If confirmed, Sandhu would become the first AAPI justice on California's Fifth District Court of Appeal and the first judge from Stanislaus County appointed to the court since 1961.
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Malvika Choudhary - Tue, 09, Jun 2026
- 15:36 EDT
- 44
Sonny S. Sandhu / gov.ca.gov
California Governor Gavin Newsom nominated Indian-origin judge Sonny S. Sandhu to serve as Associate Justice of the Fifth District Court of Appeal, a historic appointment that would make him the first Asian American Pacific Islander justice on the court if confirmed.
The nomination is subject to approval by California's Commission on Judicial Appointments and would fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Justice Rosendo Peña Jr., effective June 29.
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Sandhu has served as a judge on the Stanislaus County Superior Court since 2018 and as Presiding Judge over the past year. Before joining the bench, he spent 15 years at the Stanislaus County Public Defender's Office, serving as deputy public defender from 2003 to 2015, chief deputy public defender from 2015 to 2017 and public defender from 2017 to 2018.
Born and raised in Modesto, California, Sandhu earned bachelor's degrees in Psychology and Asian American Studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara, before receiving his Juris Doctor from The Ohio State University College of Law. While in law school, he served as president of the Asian-Pacific American Law Students Association.
Prior to joining the Stanislaus County Public Defender's Office, Sandhu worked at the Sacramento County Public Defender's Office. During his legal career, he helped develop initiatives including the Veterans Treatment Court and participated in the Community Corrections Partnership.
Governor Jerry Brown appointed Sandhu to the Stanislaus County Superior Court in 2018, making him the county's first Asian American judge and its first Sikh judge. On the bench, he has handled criminal and civil assignments and later rose to become Presiding Judge.
Announcing the nomination, Newsom's office said Sandhu would become the first judge from Stanislaus County appointed to the Fifth District Court of Appeal since 1961.
Sandhu said he was "deeply honored and humbled" by the nomination.
"It has been a privilege to serve the people of Stanislaus County alongside dedicated judicial officers and court staff," he said, adding that he remains committed to upholding the rule of law and ensuring equal access to justice for all.
Beyond the courtroom, Sandhu has been involved in educational outreach initiatives. He helped establish outreach programs with local elementary schools, assisted in developing the Court Observer Program with Stanislaus State University and coached Gregori High School's mock trial team.
He also served as president of the California Asian Pacific American Judges Association from 2022 to 2023 and has been active in the organization's leadership for several years.
The South Asian Bar Association of North America (SABA NA) welcomed the nomination, describing it as a milestone for the South Asian American legal community.
"His appointment highlights the importance of ensuring that members of the South Asian American legal community are recognized for their skills, experience and contributions and elevated to positions of leadership," the organization said in a statement.
SABA noted that Sandhu became the first Asian American judge on the Stanislaus County Superior Court in 2018 and the county's first Sikh judge.
SABA NA president Nishi Kothari called the nomination "a proud moment for our community and for California."
"His career reflects a deep commitment to justice, public service, and the fair administration of the law," Kothari said. "We are thrilled to see a leader of his caliber and integrity considered for the appellate bench, and we encourage a timely confirmation so he may continue serving the people of California."
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