Governor Newsom Announces Judicial Appointments of Three Southwest Riverside County Attorneys
Governor Gavin Newsom announced on September 3, 2021, his appointment of 22 Superior Court Judges, which include three in Riverside County, all from the Murrieta and Temecula area.
Riverside County Superior Court
Sean P. Crandell, 48, of Temecula, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the Riverside County Superior Court. Crandell has served as a Senior Deputy District Attorney at the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office since 2014, where he has served in several positions since 1996, including Deputy District Attorney and Law Clerk. He earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of San Diego School of Law. He fills the vacancy of a new position created on September 24, 2019. Crandell is a Democrat.
Joshua A. Knight, 44, of Murrieta, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the Riverside County Superior Court. Knight has served as an Attorney at the Riverside County Public Defender’s Office since 2007. He served as an Attorney at the Kern County Public Defender’s Office from 2005 to 2007. Knight earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Oregon School of Law. He fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Rebecca L. Dugan. Knight is registered without party preference.
Marie Elena Wood, 45, of Murrieta, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the Riverside County Superior Court. Wood has been a Shareholder at Reid & Hellyer APC since 2021, where she was an Associate from 2016 to 2020. She was a Sole Practitioner from 2015 to 2016 and a Partner at James & Wood LLP from 2014 to 2015. Wood was an Associate at Fabozzi & Miller APC from 2010 to 2014. She earned a Juris Doctor degree from the Thomas Jefferson School of Law. Wood fills the vacancy of a new position created on September 24, 2019. She is a Democrat.
(Excerpted from the Press Release from Office of the Governor dated September 3, 2021.)