"The Robing Room: CA State Judges

Hon. David L. Belz	See Rating Details
Judge Superior Court
Orange County	See Comments

Attorney Average Rating: 2.2 - 13 rating(s) Non-Attorney Average Rating: 1.0 - 7 rating(s)	Please send me alerts on this judge E-mail Address:

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Only items marked with (*) are averaged into the displayed overall rating.

General Rating Criteria

* Temperament		(1=Awful,10=Excellent)
* Scholarship		(1=Awful,10=Excellent)
* Industriousness		(1=Not at all industrious,10=Highly industrious)
* Ability to Handle Complex Litigation		(1=Awful,10=Excellent)
* Punctuality		(1=Chronically Late,10=Always on Time)
* General Ability to Handle Pre-Trial Matters		(1=Not all Able, 10=Extremely Able)
* General Ability as a Trial Judge		(1=Not all Able, 10=Extremely Able)
Flexibility In Scheduling		(1=Completely Inflexible,10=Very Flexible)

Criminal Rating Criteria (if applicable)

* Evenhandedness in Criminal Litigation		(1=Demonstrates Bias,10=Entirely Evenhanded)
General Inclination Regarding Bail		(1=Pro-Defense,10=Pro-Government)
Involvement in Plea Discussions		(1=Not at all Involved, 10=Very Involved)
General Inclination in Criminal Cases Pretrial Stage		(1=Pro-prosecution,10=Pro-defense)
General Inclination in Criminal Cases Trial Stage		(1=Pro-prosecution,10=Pro-defense)
General Inclination in Criminal Cases Sentencing Stage		(1=Pro-prosecution,10=Pro-defense)

Civil Rating Criteria (if applicable)

* Evenhandedness in Civil Litigation		(1=Not at all Evenhanded,10=Entirely Evenhanded)
Involvement in Settlement Discussions		(1=Not at all Involved,10=Very Involved)
General Inclination		(1=Pro-defendant, 10=Pro-plaintiff)

Comments

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What others have said about Hon. David L. Belz

Comments

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: CA46889
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Not even God can save you from this guy if you are LGBT. He doesn’t even try to hide the bias, makes “motions” on “moving party papers” without reading or listening to the opposing party. His decisions are not based on facts or law. He does whatever his mood and whim tell him to do.

Litigant

Comment #: CA35798
Rating:1.0

Comments:
The first day I stepped into Judge David Belz Orange County California Courtroom my vision and understanding of the US court system was shattered. I expected fairness and the judge to listen to the case and get evidence. I expected Judge Belz to do what was right for my daughter and expected 50/50 custody until fact could be determined. That day in court ended with me begging for a single overnight with my daughter when after a few minutes in front of him he decided that my daughter only needed 3-4 hours a couple times a week with her dad.

I was devastated. The devastation continued although I did get 50/50 custody after my daughter's mom made a provable false allegation of domestic violence against me and my case was changed from Judge David Belz to another temporary Judge, actually and Asian American Woman Judge.
Judge David Belz shut down my business in 2012 and cost me my life savings (most of which had been invested in my business). It has been almost 8 years since then, and I am almost back to where I was financially the day I stepped into Judge David Belz courtroom.
Orange County Superior Court

Litigant

Comment #: CA32831
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Unqualified and incompetent.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA32828
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
OMG! He's now assigned to UD cases?? Whose brilliant idea was that?? Nothing will ever get done, he'll just spend an hour on each case lecturing the parties on how they should live their lives, and everyone will be there all day.

Other

Comment #: CA32636
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
Judge Belz should not be allowed to make decisions for children. His decisions are baseless, of personal opinion and of whatever he paints up in his head. He favorites Attorney's and he allows them to influence his decisions. He is not diligent when it comes to court documents. He's a poor listener and lacks empathy. Worthless preaching flows from men who think more of their profession than the children and families they damage. Judge Belz do the honorable thing and disqualify yourself.

Other

Comment #: CA31097
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Judge Belz should not be a judge and removed. He cares nothing about the case nor does he thoroughly read the documents filed in the case. He's a narcissist and does nothing but preach on subjects he knows nothing about. HORRIBLE! God help you if you get this judge! It would be one thing if he was fair to both sides but he is NOT!

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA28029
Rating:1.5

Comments:
In 30 years in practice in family law I have not seen a worse, more arrogant and narcissistic judge. He make snap decisions not based in the law, reason, logic or analysis of the facts. He brags "I teach this stuff" as if that is a reflection on his competence. I appeared before him seeking a continuance due to severe pain, pending hip surgery. He announced "I have no empathy..." It got worse from there. A week later in surgery found I had multiple abnormal cone growths in my left hip socket which required removal, and bond grafting and replacement of the socket and hip. The doctor commented on how extremely painful it must have been. I had heard from colleagues how bad Belz could be, but did not imagine he would be so tremendously closed minded, arrogant, and wrong on the law, and refused to consider the law which was clear on the issue before him. A disgrace to the bench. Complete disregard for the law and facts and refusal to consider. Lectures to hear himself talk.

Probation or Pretrial Officer

Comment #: CA26029
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Worst judge I have ever appeared before. Doesn't take pertinent evidence into consideration. Lack of knowledge of the law. When law is stated, shows complete disregard. Follows his own opinions instead. Rushes through cases, while rushing all involved. Then makes snap decisions without taking time to review & analyze the case. Not a respectable way of making decisions, that affect peoples entire life.
Shows predisposition & prejudice in cases. Yells in the court room frequently. After many hours in this judges courtroom. I think his narcissistic temperament & lack of regard are so prominent. That it would be beneficial if he took a break. And hopefully reevaluate, or retire.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: CA13337
Rating:1.4

Comments:
Why is this inhumane person still allowed to act as an impartial and fair judge? He is a horrible and evil man!!!

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA12261
Rating:1.3

Comments:
Has a poor understanding of the law and refuses to research when informed. Refuses to abide by the law and appears to favor male attorneys without consideration of party position or strengths of the case. Persistently states that he does not have time to hear matters and appears not to read filed documents. Permitted and based ruling on ex parte communication. #metoo

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA12086
Rating:1.5

Comments:
Out of all areas of law, this man should NOT be overseeing family law AT ALL. What kind of judge orders a 5 year old to be taken out of kindergarten COMPLETELY because two parents cant agree what school the child in question should attend??

Other

Comment #: CA11696
Rating:1.0

Comments:
This judge is a narcissist, supposed to be the best interest of my child but continued hearings even though death threats against my daughter have been made by mother, continued to disregard investigators recommendation. I have no priors, mental health issues, or drug abuse all of which mother has. I am very confused about him being a ruler over infants and hard working citizens lifes. Very distraught through all of this, very sad

Other

Comment #: CA11446
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
Lawyers are frustrated in Belz court because the statutes and past court decisions don't matter. So, the deceased is never allowed to decide which kids get which property because Belz decides that everyone gets an even split (selling all houses and land at rock bottom prices, kicking out kids from houses). Example: It didn't matter that the trust contest was too late to be filed (Straley V Gamble and Bridgeman V Allen). Belz almost never posts pre-hearing notes. Belz is extremely biased. For example, during settlement, Belz said that mandatory settlement is before evidence is presented so distribution will be an even split (putting a bias on settlement negotiations). When an attorney took the case (huge case, years old, last minute), Belz did everything to discourage him, but the attorney said that he was prepared. Though involved in settlement discussions, he only provides bias.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: CA10414
Rating:7.4

Comments:
He likes to hear himself talk. He's preachy. He will get it right though usually in the end.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA10333
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Terrible!!!

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA10168
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Failure as a Judge... :-(

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA9737
Rating:1.3

Comments:
Denies most minor's comps petitions at the first and second hearings due to knit-picky requirements that sometimes result in the minor receiving less money. Does not have a grasp of either the law or the reasonableness standard when awarding fees.

Litigant

Comment #: CA8999
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
Judge Belz in unknowledgeable of the law. I agree with many of the comments from other litigants about how he runs his courtroom. I am a DV victim confirmed by CPS. I had 14 TROs and never a permanent restraining order issued. Instead, Belz lectured me repeatedly about how "this is the consequence of a high conflict divorce." He gave my address to my abuser in court proceedings as a begged him not to. I now have a dead child based in part because of his rulings, placing my child with confirmed abuser. I wonder if he would say the same things to me now....

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: CA8916
Rating:4.7

Comments:
likes to hear himself talk, doesn't like to hear cases, makes alright decisions if he lets attorneys/litigants talk & present case, a little over dramatic, but overall makes decent orders. Sad to say that this may be as good as it gets in fam law at OC Court.

Litigant

Comment #: CA8391
Rating:2.0

Comments:
Completely disrupted the status quo with my daughter very first hearing by giving full custody to mom. Poor time management skill and favors and defaults to mom being the primary parent and dad being visitor/check writer.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA7285
Rating:1.0

Comments:
The Worst of the Worst.

Totally Incompetent, Pissy attitude,
does not follow California law or constitution, not knowledgeable of California law. Reputation of being extremely unfair to women. A 1,000% total nightmare.

Other

Comment #: CA5788
Rating:2.0

Comments:
This judge is nice but SO unknowledgable of the law.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA4959
Rating:2.3

Comments:
(1) I have seen him raise his voice at three different female attorneys (and disrespect them), but never at any male attorneys.
(2) He is very wishy-washy, and will flip-flop with his rulings.
(3) Your case in his family law courtroom will take an eternity to be finalized -- plan on being in his courtroom day-in and day-out.
(4) He loves to lecture people.
(5) He also loves continuances, as his calendar is always full.

If I were to describe him in one word, it would be "narcissist."