Stanislaus County gets another new judge

On the heels of a historic presidential election, Stanislaus County experienced its own milestone Wednesday as Gov. Schwarzenegger appointed the first African-American to a judgeship on the Stanislaus County Superior Court.

Dawna Frenchie Reeves, 44, of Livermore will fill one of the 50 statewide judge positions created by state Senate Bill 56, which was signed by the governor in 2006.

She has worked for the Stanislaus County district attorney's office for 11 years as a deputy district attorney.

"I'm grateful and excited about the challenge," Reeves said.

She was well aware of the milestone, but Reeves said she was more focused on doing her best as a judge.

"I don't really have a reaction to that," she said. "I'm just a lawyer like anyone else."

Assistant District Attorney Carol Shipley said the judicial appointment was bittersweet for the district attorney's office.

"We're very proud and pleased, but we lose a lot of experience," Shipley said. "It's a very big hole to fill, but the bench is certainly better for it."

Reeves assisted Chief Deputy District Attorney Alan Cassidy in the high-profile capital murder trial of Columbus Allen Jr. II, who is charged with killing California Highway Patrol officer Earl Scott. The case is in the pretrial phase.

"She's a remarkable candidate, who happens to be African-American," Cassidy said. "I couldn't be happier for her."

Reeves, a Democrat, is taking one of three judge positions at the Stanislaus County Superior Court created by the Senate bill to keep up with a growing population, said Mike Tozzi, the court's executive officer.

He said Reeves is the first African-American appointed to a judgeship at the Stanislaus County Superior Court. The court was working on scheduling a date for a swearing-in ceremony.

She will earn $178,789 a year, according to the governor's office. She is expected to serve as a criminal judge, said Donald Shaver, presiding judge for the court's criminal department.

"It's an important milestone, but she's doing more than just filling a spot," Shaver said. "She's a very talented and deserving attorney."

Public Defender Tim Bazar said he has had a good working relationship with Reeves and said she will be able to make a smooth transition from prosecutor to judge.

Reeves earned a juris doctorate from the University of San Francisco School of Law and a bachelor's degree from San Diego State University.

Bee staff writer Rosalio Ahumada can be reached at rahumada@modbee.com or 578-2394.

This story was originally published November 6, 2008 at 3:01 AM with the headline "Stanislaus County gets another new judge."