Superior Court of Los Angeles County Bench Elects Judge Ricardo Ocampo as Presiding Judge and Judge Yvette Verastegui as Assistant Presiding Judge for 2027- 28 Term
Presiding Judge-Elect Ocampo and Assistant Presiding Judge-Elect Verastegui to Begin Terms on Jan. 1, 2027
The judges of the Superior Court of Los Angeles County have elected Judge Ricardo Ocampo as the Court’s next Presiding Judge and Judge Yvette Verastegui as the next Assistant Presiding Judge for the 2027-28 term, beginning on Jan. 1, 2027.
Running uncontested, Presiding Judge-Elect Ocampo has served as the Court’s Assistant Presiding Judge since Jan. 1, 2025, and will succeed Presiding Judge Sergio C. Tapia II, whose two-year term as Presiding Judge concludes on Dec. 31, 2026.
“It is an honor to have the trust of my colleagues to serve as the next Presiding Judge of the Superior Court of Los Angeles County,” Presiding Judge-Elect Ocampo said. “Leading the largest trial court in the nation is a tremendous responsibility. As I look forward to the next two years, my priorities include providing the members of our bench with the tools, resources and support they need to provide the residents of Los Angeles County with fair, timely and effective access to justice. Equally important will be continuing to strengthen our Court’s relationship with our colleagues in courts across the California Judicial Branch, Justice Partners, the Bar and the communities we serve, ensuring every resident of Los Angeles County can navigate our justice system with trust and confidence, building upon the efforts set in motion by Presiding Judge Tapia. I am grateful for his exemplary leadership, and I remain fully supportive of his goals and initiatives as he continues to lead the Court through the remainder of his term.”
Also running uncontested, Assistant Presiding Judge-Elect Verastegui has served as the Court’s Supervising Judge of the Criminal Division since Jan. 1, 2025, and will succeed Assistant Presiding Judge Ricardo Ocampo.
“I want to thank my colleagues on the bench for their trust and confidence in me,” Assistant Presiding Judge-Elect Verastegui said. “I am deeply humbled to have been entrusted with the responsibility of serving as the Court’s next Assistant Presiding Judge. I look forward to supporting Presiding Judge-Elect Ocampo’s vision, leadership, and commitment to ensuring equal access to justice through the fair, timely and effective resolution of all cases. My commitment alongside him is to support our colleagues and to uphold and strengthen the public’s confidence and trust in the judiciary. I also want to acknowledge Presiding Judge Sergio C. Tapia II for his courageous leadership. His commitment to our community has set a strong foundation for us to build upon. Under his vision and dedication, our Court has become stronger in both its commitment to justice and in the justice it delivers.”
Pursuant to California Rules of Court Rule 10.603, the Presiding Judge of the Court is responsible for leading the Court by establishing policies and allocating resources in a manner that promotes access to justice, facilitates the fair and timely resolution of disputes and maximizes the use of resources.
“It is with sincere pride that I extend my congratulations to Presiding Judge-Elect Ocampo and Assistant Presiding Judge-Elect Verastegui upon their election to lead this Court,” Presiding Judge Tapia said. “Having had the privilege of working closely alongside them both, I can attest, without reservation, that they will carry forward our Court’s mission with integrity, wisdom, and a devotion to justice that will serve this Court and the communities we are sworn to serve.”
About Presiding Judge-Elect Ricardo Ocampo
Appointed to the Court by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2008, Judge Ocampo’s career spans more than three decades of dedicated service to Los Angeles County’s legal system. Most recently serving as Assistant Presiding Judge, Judge Ocampo’s tenure with the Court includes over 15 years of court leadership experience, previously serving as the Court’s Supervising Judge of the Criminal Division, and as the Supervising Judge and Assistant Supervising Judge of the Court’s South Central District in the city of Compton.
Prior to his appointment to the bench, Judge Ocampo served as a Deputy District Attorney for the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office in the Major Crimes Division, the Public Integrity Division, the Hardcore Gang Division and the Sex Crimes and Domestic Violence Unit. Prior to joining the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, Judge Ocampo began his legal career as a research attorney for the Court.
Judge Ocampo earned his Juris Doctorate from Southwestern University School of Law and his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with a concentration in International Business Management from San Francisco State University.
About Assistant Presiding Judge-Elect Yvette Verastegui
Appointed to the Court by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2010, Judge Verastegui brings over 32 years of public service to her new leadership position. She has most recently served as the Court’s Supervising Judge of the Criminal Division and has held a wide range of leadership and collaborative roles at the Court, including as Assistant Supervising Judge of the Criminal Division, Site Judge at the Airport Courthouse, Chair of the Judicial Mentor Program and as a member of the Budget, Education, Facilities, Community Outreach and Court Services/Sheriff Committees.
While on the bench, Judge Verastegui’s commitment to justice and to the community has been recognized throughout her judicial career. Her honors include the Benjamin Aranda Award and the Honorable Carlos R. Moreno Judicial Excellence Award from the Mexican American Bar Association, and the Luminary Award from the Latina Lawyers Bar Association.
Prior to her appointment to the bench, Judge Verastegui served as a Deputy Alternate Public Defender with the Los Angeles County Alternate Public Defender’s Office and as a Deputy Public Defender with the Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office. She has also served as a Deputy Public Defender with the Orange County Public Defender’s Office, where she was honored with the Orange County Public Defender of the Year Award.
Judge Verastegui earned her Juris Doctorate degree from the University of California, Berkeley School of Law and her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California, Irvine.
You can view the full notice here.
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