"The Robing Room: CA State Judges

Hon. John W. Vineyard	See Rating Details
Judge Superior Court
Riverside County	See Comments

Attorney Average Rating: 5.7 - 7 rating(s) Non-Attorney Average Rating: 1.0 - 1 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. John W. Vineyard

Comments

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA49375
Rating:5.1

Comments:
My problem with this judge is that he concerns himself with form over substance. The rules of the court in Family Law are designed to make the process efficient a compel people to be ready since the court has limited time. However, he applies them with such rigor that even the smallest technical deviation ends up causing a delay that is 10x worse than the inefficiency sought to be avoided by the rule in the first place. Hands out sanctions like they are candy. Sat there ALL DAY to get an agreed-upon continuance. Cost the parties THOUSANDS in fees because he does not know how to manage a court calendar. Despite his knowledge and ability, I WILL be filing a 170.6 EVERY time on this judge. If opposing counsel and I come to an agreement regarding a hearing, his goal should be to accommodate it. Not look for petty violations of his notice rules and a reason to sanction us.

Other

Comment #: CA44499
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Biased, does not consider all the facts. Rules on his "gut" feeling, he makes ruling that hurt children and mothers. Doesnt like to be questioned on legitimacy of his ruling. It is very sad when this judge makes statement, "In the best interest of the child", yet with his careless ruling causes trauma and harm to the child.

Civil Litigation - Govt.

Comment #: CA37226
Rating:9.6

Comments:
Fair and reasonable. Balanced. Good scholarship, follows the law.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA35064
Rating:2.8

Comments:
Definitely favors big firms. Inconsistently applies the law. I have watched him apply the exact same law completely differently in law a motion on the same day in different matters. I pointed this out to him and he said that the same code of civil procedure section was "completely different". Really? It seems like he rules with his gut and then explains it after the fact. I was not impressed. But the Riverside County bench is generally pretty poor.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: CA23554
Rating:1.0

Comments:
So sad the California Courts have diminished in value....I have witnessed Vineyard harm a party by ignoring the victim's winning opposition to an MSJ and helped the opposing side pirate.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA11993
Rating:8.9

Comments:
Vineyard seems to be even handed, through and well reasoned. He reads the pleadings and takes the time to listen.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA11480
Rating:9.9

Comments:
I've appeared before J. Vineyard on several occasions in a variety of capacities, except for trial. In all instances, whether I won or lost that day, he was fair, reasonable, thoughtful and had clearly read and considered the pleadings. In an MSC context he was fair and balanced to both sides, appropriately encouraging and advising both sides regarding potential settlement.
While I have observed many positive attributes of J. Vineyard his decisiveness and fearlessness to make what some might consider tough decisions is impressive. I've also been on the losing end of him moving off his tentative position during argument. In spite of the change I greatly respected his readiness to consider argument and change his position if he thought it appropriate, a too rare judicial quality.

Overall a fine judge.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA10831
Rating:2.8

Comments:
God complex. Favors big firms and banks.