Segerstrom sworn in as new judge

Donald Segerstrom holds his right hand up as Judge Eric DuTemple swears him in on Friday as Tuolumne County Superior Court’s newest judge. Maggie Beck/Union Democrat, copyright 2011

Segerstrom, the county’s district attorney for the past 10 years, was appointed to the vacant judgeship in December by Gov. Jerry Brown.

Local government and law enforcement officials, judges, attorneys, and Segerstrom’s family and friends filled Presiding Judge Eric L. DuTemple’s courtroom on the top floor of the historic courthouse on Yaney Street to witness the nearly hour-long ceremony.    

DuTemple praised Brown’s decision to appoint Segerstrom, who he called “extremely well qualified” for the position.   

“The road he has traveled to get here has been a long one and this is well-deserved,” DuTemple said.    

Segerstrom, 60, a Sonora native, earned his law degree from University of California, Davis School of Law in 1980. He was a legal researcher for the Third District Court of Appeal from 1981 to 1985 and served as a deputy district attorney in Stanislaus County from 1985 to 1988.    

He returned to Tuolumne County in 1989 as a civil and criminal defense attorney and was appointed as the county’s district attorney in 2001.    

Segerstrom applied for the appointment shortly after the judgeship was left vacant by Judge Douglas Boyack’s retirement in December 2010. He waited for nearly a year before Brown made the decision.    

As a result of being appointed on an interim basis, Segerstrom will have to win the seat in the June election in order to keep it for a full term. Both he and County Counsel Gregory Oliver have taken out the initial paperwork to run with the county’s election office.    

Friday’s crowd gave Segerstrom a standing ovation after DuTemple administered the oath of office and presented him a gavel inscribed with his name and swearing in date.    

Segerstrom’s wife, Sharon, and mother, Mary Etta, helped him put on his judge’s robes for the first time.    

“I would like to thank everyone who supported me throughout the appointment process,” he said.    

Segerstrom also gave special acknowledgements to the governor and Assistant District Attorney Michael Knowles, who appears to be favored as Segerstrom’s replacement.    

The county Board of Supervisors voted on Tuesday to schedule Knowles’ appointment to the position for the next meeting in February. If appointed, Knowles will fill out the rest of Segerstrom’s term that ends Jan. 5, 2015.   

A reception held in the Board of Supervisor’s chambers immediately followed the ceremony, where Knowles said he and Segerstrom worked closely together for the past 10 years and he plans on “staying the course” if appointed as district attorney.    

“There will be some differences when it comes to personality and philosophy, because I’m not him,” Knowles said of how he will differ from Segerstrom.    

Sharon Segerstrom said becoming a judge is something her husband has wanted for “a long time.”    

“We feel very honored and we’re all just so proud of him,” she said.    

Segerstrom’s daughter, Hanna, said it was “amazing” to see her father accomplish his “lifetime goal.”    

Segerstrom said he’s looking forward to going to work and may start hearing cases early this week. DuTemple previously stated Segerstrom will mostly oversee civil and family law cases to avoid any conflicts of interest in criminal cases he was involved with as a prosecutor.    

For the past several weeks since the appointment was announced, Segerstrom has been wrapping up his work and handing off responsibilities at the District Attorney’s Office while also spending time shadowing Judge James Boscoe.    

“It feels like I’ve been going 100 mph in 50 different directions, so I’m looking to having one thing to focus on,” he said.    

Judge Eleanor Provost said she and the rest of the judges are looking forward to having Segerstrom on the bench as well.    

“I’ve known him for years,” she said. “And we work together day in and day out as judges, so it’s very important to have a collegiality.”