Judge Retirements Spur Major Reorganization in Mendocino County Courts

The Mendocino County Superior Court is reorganizing its judicial assignments to address two vacancies following recent changes on the bench. The court has restructured the handling of felony, misdemeanor, and other case types, with visiting judges stepping in to manage certain trials and hearings.

The reshuffling comes as Judge Cindee Mayfield prepares for retirement at the end of the year. As of Monday, Sept. 16, Mayfield will no longer have a regular judicial assignment, but will continue to finish several ongoing trials and orders. Her transition follows the retirement of Judge Jeanine Nadel in January, which left another vacancy on the court.

Presiding Judge Keith Faulder has announced that the court’s two felony departments will now also handle misdemeanors, while visiting judges will preside over infraction trials, misdemeanor jury trials, and evidentiary hearings. The new assignments are as follows:

• Dept. A: Judge Faulder – felonies and misdemeanors
• Dept. B: Judge Shanahan – felonies and misdemeanors
• Dept. C: Judge Pekin – family law, limited civil cases, Adult Drug Court, Behavioral Health Court
• Dept. E: Judge Moorman – unlimited civil cases and probate
• Dept. F: Commissioner Saxby – child support (Thursdays)
• Dept. F: Judge Brennan (via Zoom) – unlawful detainers (Wednesdays)
• Dept. G: Judge Dolan – juvenile justice and juvenile dependency
• Dept. H: Visiting Judge – jail arraignments, misdemeanor/infraction trials, evidentiary hearings

For further information, contact Court Executive Officer Kim Turner at 100 N. State Street, Room 303, Ukiah, CA 95482.

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