Riverside’s judges elected Judith Clark and Jacqueline Jackson as the county court’s presiding and assistant presiding judges for the 2023-24 term.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger appointed Clark to the county court in 2005. She has served as the court’s Juvenile Division’s presiding judge, and has worked in criminal, family law and juvenile dependency. She is currently the assistant presiding judge, according to the court’s press release.
“Judge Clark has been a valuable member of our leadership team with experience in many aspects of the justice system. Her knowledge and deep commitment to providing fair access to justice for all persons will serve our community well, especially during a time of continuing challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said outgoing Presiding Judge John Monterosso.
Jackson worked for both the Riverside and Los Angeles County district attorney’s offices, handling child abuse and sexual assault prosecutions, and writs and appeals, before Schwarzenegger appointed her in 2011, according to the court.
Since her appointment, she has presided over civil, criminal, probate and juvenile divisions. She served four years as the juvenile presiding judge. She sits on the court’s Appellate Panel, and is the Riverside Chair of the Inland Counties Judicial Mentorship program, which recruits and advises judicial applicants.
“Judge Jackson has been a court leader and brings a wealth of experience across a wide spectrum of disciplines to her role,” the court said in a press release.
Jackson is the first African-American woman elected to assistant presiding judge in Riverside County.
The pair will take over Jan. 1, and will serve for two years.
