"The Robing Room: CA State Judges

Hon. Jacqueline M. Stern	See Rating Details
Judge Superior Court
San Diego County	See Comments

Attorney Average Rating: 3.9 - 8 rating(s) Non-Attorney Average Rating: 1.0 - 2 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

What others have said about Hon. Jacqueline M. Stern

Comments

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA3656
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
Her actions indicate she does not know what she is doing and she seems to lie. She will rule in favor of anyone with a lawyer, even if the Pro Se's evidence is rock solid in their favor. Not really a judge - more like a puppet.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA3264
Rating:2.4

Comments:
This judge has NO ability to reason and apply concepts of the law. If there is not a case exactly like what she has to decide, she can't think on her own. She says "the law" says things that is simply does not. She doesn't understand the evidence code either. RUN!!!

Litigant

Comment #: CA3075
Rating:1.0

Comments:
The fact is, she makes rulings without reading or comprehending the complaint or answer before a hearing (on two occasions) gives rise to her abuse of judicial power and she should be held accountable for these grevious errors in procedure. Because fundamentally, her behavior denies the litigant the right to due process and equitable justice in her courtroom.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA2955
Rating:2.5

Comments:
I have witnessed her inability to grasp easy legal concepts during both a motion to tax costs and a motion for new trial, while I was observing other cases in her courtroom. Based on these incidents, and other anecdotes, I refuse to have her preside on any of my cases. We can do much better.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA2929
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
Have had Judge Stern in 3 bench trials and one jury. She can be curt as the trier of fact, but she generally -- though in one glaring instance did not -- gets the law right. She does her own research if needed; bring your annotated CACI to trial; she'll listen to your argument if you can give her the rule and a cite. As a jury judge, could not have been sweeter in front of the jury. She was directive in sidebar, but not belligerent or condescending. I prefer her as a jury judge.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: CA2928
Rating:1.4

Comments:
an abusive, ill tempered, sullen, woman.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA2686
Rating:4.6

Comments:
It has been some years since I have appeared before Judge Stern, but it was a very negative experience. As someone noted, she calendars differently than every other Court or human being, so that she will tell you your notice was untimely - even though opposing counsel doesn't complain - since it was timely. She will not take steps to get discovery problems in order, but will make arbitrary decisions - such as sanctioning counsel for inadequate responses "because the code says I have to" despite being told she has discretion. I would paper her.

Other

Comment #: CA2608
Rating:1.0

Comments:
she is a judge judy wanna be.she was decided with prejudiced with out hearing one word from our side an courts did not contact our side.so big time ponsie criminal purjerd an got away the will be getting you soon mrs stern is a accomplice

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA1241
Rating:9.0

Comments:
I think most of the poor reviews about Judge Stern are misinformed. She will apply the law as it is stated, but if you come in acting like her decision is a foregone conclusion, you will not be helping your client. Also, don't waste her time with alpha male battles against opposing counsel. Stick to the facts, emphasize how the policy of the law supports your case and stand firm.

One other thing, is that if you are serving a motion by regular mail make sure that you calculate your deadline by starting with the filing date and counting 16 court days forward, and then another 5 calendar days forward from the 16th court day.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA1122
Rating:7.3

Comments:
Judge Stern is all business. She can be cold and nit picky. That said, this is not a result-oriented judge. If the law says you should win, she will side with you. She doesn't get side tracked on minor issues or passionate, but unsupported arguments.

Her motion calendar is seriously backlogged. It can take 4 months to get a simple motion heard, and she does not like trial continuances. Plan accordingly.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA75
Rating:1.3

Comments:
We challenged Judge Stern and she kept our case without taking all the proper steps according to court rules. This has caused excessive litigation expense for no reason. Numerous motions and an appeal.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA38
Rating:2.4

Comments:
I have seen people leaving her courtroom in tears after being mistreated by her. Needs a class in judicial decorum to start with.