Robert J. Sandoval
Robert J. Sandoval | |
|---|---|
| Judge of the Los Angeles County Superior Court | |
| In office 2001–2006 | |
| Appointed by | Gray Davis |
| Preceded by | Bruce Joseph Sottile |
| Succeeded by | Richard M. Goul |
| Personal details | |
| Born | February 23, 1950 |
| Died | February 28, 2006 (aged 56) Duarte, California |
| Domestic partner | Bill Martin |
| Alma mater | California State University, Los Angeles (B.A.) McGeorge School of Law (J.D.) |
Robert J. Sandoval (February 23, 1950 – February 28, 2006) was a judge of the Los Angeles County Superior Court.
Early life and education
Sandoval was born on February 23, 1950.[1] He graduated from San Gabriel High School and then received a B.A. degree in political science from California State University, Los Angeles in 1972.[2][3] He then attended the McGeorge School of Law and earned his J.D. in 1976.[2]
Judicial service
From 1984 to 1997, Sandoval served as a Los Angeles Municipal Court commissioner.[3] In 1997, he was selected to serve as a Los Angeles County Superior Court commissioner.[2] While a Superior Court commissioner, Sandoval presided over the high-profile lewd contact case against Hugh Grant in 1995.[4] On July 11, 1995, Sandoval sentenced Grant to 2 years probation and fined him $1,180.[4]
Sandoval was appointed to the Los Angeles County Superior Court by Governor Gray Davis in 2001.[2] Sandoval was the first openly gay judge appointed by Davis and believed to be the first openly gay judge appointed in California in 20 years.[2] Sandoval served until his death in 2006.[2]
Personal
Sandoval and his long-time partner, Bill Martin, adopted a son in 1993,[3] making them one of the first gay male couples in Los Angeles County to adopt a child.[2]
References
- ^ Services Set for Superior Court Judge Robert Sandoval, Metropolitan News-Enterprise (March 6, 2006).
- ^ a b c d e f g Elaine Woo, Obituaries: Robert J. Sandoval, 56; Openly Gay Judge, Ex-City Prosecutor, Los Angeles Times (March 6, 2006).
- ^ a b c Superior Court Judge Robert Sandoval Dies at 56, Metropolitan News-Enterprise (March 1, 2006).
- ^ a b Carla Hall, Hugh Grant Gets Fine, Probation on Misdemeanor Couple, Los Angeles Times (July 12, 1995).