Barry LaBarbera to lead SLO Superior Court as presiding judge

For the second time in about as many months, San Luis Obispo Superior Court has a new presiding judge.

Superior Court Judge Barry LaBarbera, who has twice served as the court’s presiding judge in 2002 and 2012, was again elected by the court’s 11 judges Monday, according to a courthouse news release.

Judges rotate presiding duties every two years, responsible for leading the court in establishing policies and allocating resources to best promote equal access to justice for all members of the public, according to the court.

LaBarbera is the former elected district attorney for San Luis Obispo County and was appointed to the bench by then-Gov. Pete Wilson in 1998.

Superior Court Judge Ginger Garrett was elected as assistant presiding judge on Monday. Garrett, appointed to the bench by then-Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2005, has served the court as both civil and criminal case team leader.

The California Rules of Court require a presiding judge for courts that have two or more judges. San Luis Obispo Superior Court currently has 11 judges and will have two vacancies because of the conversion of a commissioner position after the November appointment of Judge Gayle Peron and the appointment of Judge Martin J. Tangeman to the 2nd District Court of Appeal last month.

This story was originally published January 25, 2016 at 4:47 PM with the headline "Barry LaBarbera to lead SLO Superior Court as presiding judge."