"The Robing Room: CA State Judges

Hon. Steve White	See Rating Details
Judge Superior Court
Sacramento County	See Comments

Attorney Average Rating: 7.6 - 13 rating(s) Non-Attorney Average Rating: 10.0 - 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. Steve White

Comments

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: CA27046
Rating:10.0

Comments:
One of the best judges in the building for both sides. The comment below that he “doesn’t know the law” and is a “smiling assassin” is just absurd. I’ve been a criminal defense attorney for 24 years and appeared in front of Judge White in multiple courts in many hearings including a murder trial. He has a thorough understanding of the law and has the exact demeanor every judge should have.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: CA20420
Rating:9.9

Comments:
The Sacramento bench had been for the most part made up of White male upper-class Republicans. Judge White was an exception with a personal affinity for Bobby Kennedy. He is personable, has never indicated a bias against defense types. He does put some pressure on the DA's office to settle cases. Unfortunately, he follows the law which if you have not noticed is heavily biased toward the prosecution except for jury trial rights left over from the 18th century. Never forget Bobby worked with Joe McCarthy and Roy Cohn and you will do well in front Judge White. But do not remind him!

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: CA13176
Rating:4.0

Comments:
He is another DA.

Other

Comment #: CA8443
Rating:10.0

Comments:
This honorable man threw the book at Robert Lee Brian who tortured his dog, Buddy and others. Thank you for having the courage to hand down the maximum punishment of 15 yrs and 6 mos. Sacramento put the right man in charge! Animals, children and other innocents will be out of harm's way because you cared, Judge White! You are a perfect 10 in my book and I'm sure many many more feel the same! Thank you from Chicago! Keep this judge in office. He understands justice. With humblest gratitude and deepest for your wonderful heart, Kat Atwater-Czarnecki, Chicago, IL

Other

Comment #: CA7457
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
THANK YOU:
7.11.14 - Dog Torturer Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison4

A California judge gave out the maximum sentence to a man for the abominable abuse of his pit bull. Thankfully the dog survived, and his abuser is spending the next decade and a half in prison.

Sacramento Superior Court Judge Steve White sentenced Robert Lee Brian to the maximum sentence of 15 years and 6 months for the torture of his dog Bubba.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: CA6927
Rating:9.6

Comments:
Very good trial judge. Yeah he is prosecution oriented but after all he was the elected Sacramento County DA from 1988 to 1994. But he wil let you try your case and will occasionally rule in favor of the defense. While he is strictly business, he is also friendly and easy going, unlike some judges who truly despise criminal defense attorneys and make their lives miserable.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: CA6151
Rating:10.0

Comments:
I have tried a number of complex and serious cases in front of Judge White. I found him to be extraordinarily polite to both counsel and my clients. He is intelligent and even handed, a rare combination on the bench. Judge White follows the law and does not just favor the prosecution. I think he is the best judge on the bench in Sacramento County and regarded as such by both prosecutors and defense counsel.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: CA5312
Rating:2.5

Comments:
Very bad judge; smiling assassin who does not know the law but fools people by his apparent even-handed demeanor. Any doubts? Google "Jan Scully Steve White"

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: CA4657
Rating:9.0

Comments:
He is an excellent judge. Despite his D.A. background, I found him to be even-handed and fair to both sides during his tenure in juvenile court. He is a very interesting guy as well. I highly recommended this judge.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: CA4526
Rating:4.5

Comments:
This judge is far more biased than he thinks he is, but not nearly as bright.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: CA4399
Rating:9.8

Comments:
This judge is respected immensely on both sides of the aisle. He was the District Attorney of Sacramento prior to his appointment to the bench, but was also given the Judge of the Year award by the criminal defense bar in 2011. That by itself speaks volumes about his character and fairness. I am in court daily, and all the attorneys I know, whether D.A.'s or defense attorneys, appreciate his intelligence, demeanor, and intellect.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: CA4214
Rating:1.4

Comments:
I cannot fathom the other critiques - this man is an arrogant, extraordinarily biased judge. No defendant or defense attorney will be treated fairly in front of him. He is malicious. Beware

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: CA3673
Rating:9.3

Comments:
Great judge to do trial work in front of. He is all business in and out of chambers, has a good sense of humor and treats each side with respect. Even though he was the head DA and lost re-election in a bruising contest to Jan Scully in the 1990's, he is a good judge. Although he definitely has a pro prosecution orientation, he is still fair and lets you try your case.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: CA3636
Rating:10.0

Comments:
Fair to both sides and listens thoughtfully. He thinks before a ruling. Both qualities are becoming more rare.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: CA194
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
Very smart, very good trial judge and very pleasant to all concerned. He knows the law well and will rule correctly on legal issues and let you try your case. In general, he will not help you to settle a case and will be somewhat harsh on sentencing, particularly in cases involving serious or violent crimes.