Presiding Judge Maria D. Hernandez

Hon. Maria D. Hernandez
Presiding Judge of the Superior Court of Orange County

Current Term: September 15, 2024−September 14, 2027
Membership: Voting member reappointed by Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero
Internal Committees: Technology Committee, Vice-Chair; Executive and Planning Committee, Judicial Branch Budget Committee,

Judge Maria D. Hernandez was appointed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2009 to the Superior Court of Orange County, where she currently serves as the presiding judge. Prior to serving on the bench, she worked as a senior deputy public defender in Orange County.

Judge Hernandez served as presiding judge of the Orange juvenile court, from 2014 to 2018, where she created and presided over the dedicated court, addressing commercially sexually exploited children. She also cochaired the Orange County Committee relating to boys in the child welfare system. She recently launched a Young Adult Court, which addresses the special needs of emerging adults charged with felonies in the criminal justice system.

Judge Hernandez has served on numerous Judicial Council committees, including as the chair of the Trial Court Presiding Judges Advisory Committee and a member of the Trial Court Budget Advisory Committee. She also served on the council’s Advisory Committee on Providing Access and Fairness and as a longstanding faculty member for the Center for Judicial Education and Research. Judge Hernandez received a Distinguished Service Award in 2016.

Judge Hernandez received a bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Irvine and a juris doctor degree from Western State College of Law.