4th District Court of Appeal

Latest News

May 6, 2021

SANTA ANA—Associate Justice Richard M. Aronson of the California Court of Appeal, Fourth Appellate District, Division Three will retire on June 15, 2021 after a distinguished 46-year legal career, including 32 as a member of the California judiciary.

Justice Aronson received his bachelor’s degree and juris doctorate from the University of San Diego and holds a master of laws degree from the University of Virginia.  He began his legal career as a deputy district attorney for San Bernardino County and subsequently was a deputy public defender for Orange County.  He was a senior staff attorney for the Court of Appeal until he was appointed by the judges of the Orange County Superior Court as a superior court commissioner in 1989.  Justice Aronson was appointed to the Orange County Superior Court in March 1996 by Governor Pete Wilson and sat in criminal, family, and civil departments, gaining the breadth of experience that made him an ideal candidate when appointed in 2001 by Governor Gray Davis as an Associate Justice. 

Presiding Justice Kathleen O’Leary has known Justice Aronson since they were both Orange County Deputy Public Defenders over forty years ago.  She said, “Justice Aronson sets very high expectations for himself and always meets or exceeds those expectations. He loves the law and served the public with distinction.”  Although Justice O’Leary wishes her friend the best on his well-earned retirement, she said she will greatly miss having Justice Aronson as a colleague.

Associate Justice Thomas Goethals commented that Justice Aronson is “a distinguished legal scholar and writer who has worked relentlessly throughout his judicial career to produce thousands of fair and just opinions that speak directly and personally to his audience.  He has been an esteemed colleague whose passion for the rule of law will be missed everyday by those of us who continue to serve on the court.” 

Throughout his legal and judicial career, Justice Aronson has been a member of bar and profession associations, including the Orange County Bar Association, San Bernardino County Bar Association, American Bar Association, California District Attorneys Association.  He has served on numerous committees and boards including the Judicial Council Indigent Appeals Budget Oversight Committee, California Judges Association, Criminal Law and Procedures Committee, Association of Business Trial Lawyers, Judicial Advisory Board.  He is a member of the Robert A. Banyard Inn of Court and served on its Board of Directors.  Justice Aronson has devoted countless hours to legal and judicial education including as an adjunct professor at Chapman University Fowler School of Law; as an instructor for the California Judicial Education and Research California Judicial College, the California Judicial Studies Program, California Law & Procedure Institute, Continuing Education of the Bar programs and Rutter Group programs; and as a Constitutional Rights Foundation mock trial judge.  His civic and charitable activities include the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, National Junior Basketball, Orangewood Home for Children, Santa Ana Stay In School Program, St. Edward’s Parochial School, and the Victim Assistance Program.

April 27, 2021

The Fourth District Court of Appeal, Division Two, recognizes Law Day and its Volunteer Attorney Mediators.

March 5, 2021

The 2021 dates for the Civil Appellate Self-Help Workshop are available at 2021 Workshop Dates.

August 25, 2020

A remote hearing is a court proceeding and thus, the expectation and requirement of the Fourth District is that all attorneys dress in professionally appropriate attire. Additionally, counsel are advised to be conscious of their background and are further encouraged to have an appropriate background or to use an appropriate virtual background. For remote appearances via BlueJeans in Divisions One and Two, instructions for adding a virtual background can be viewed at the BlueJeans Virtual Background article.

June 15, 2020

Supreme Court issues statement on equality and inclusion. The statement can be viewed at the California Courts Newsroom.

April 13, 2020

The Clerk’s Offices in the Fourth District remain open but we are unable to answer in-person questions at this time. For all paper filings including emergency writs, if you are unable to file your papers electronically, you may use the drop-box located in the Clerk’s Office lobby in order to minimize in-person contact in light of COVID-19. The drop-box will be checked every hour. Should you have questions regarding your case, please contact us at San Diego (Div. 1) - 4DCA1ContactUs@jud.ca.gov, Riverside (Div. 2) 4DCA2ContactUs@jud.ca.gov. or Santa Ana (Div. 3) 4DCA3ContactUs@jud.ca.gov. Please be sure to note your case number in the subject line of the email. Alternatively, you may call the Clerk’s Offices during our normal business hours.

May 23, 2019

The Fourth District Court of Appeal is seeking attorneys to represent inmates in death penalty-related habeas corpus proceedings.  View for more information regarding applying for an appointment.

Case Information

The California Appellate Courts Case Information System provides case information for California Supreme Court and Court of Appeal cases. Case information is updated once an hour throughout the business day.

• 4th Appellate District Division 1 (Case number begins with D)
• 4th Appellate District Division 2 (Case number begins with E)
• 4th Appellate District Division 3 (Case number begins with G)

About Us

The 4th District is unique in that it is divided into three geographical divisions.

• Division One is located in San Diego and has jurisdiction over matters from Imperial and San Diego Counties.
• Division Two is located in Riverside and has jurisdiction over matters from Inyo, Riverside, and San Bernardino Counties.
• Division Three is located in Santa Ana and has jurisdiction over matters from Orange County

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