Judge Curtis B. Rappé

Judge Curtis B. Rappé sits in Los Angeles Superior Court at the Stanley Mosk Courthouse and handles serious violent felony matters, including high-profile murder cases. The available data documents his presiding over multiple significant criminal proceedings: a 2022 sentencing of a defendant to 50-to-life for the killing of a 2-year-old child, a 2024 sentencing of two defendants for a triple murder in Porter Ranch, a 2023 hearing related to Damian 'Football' Williams, and matters involving gang-related murders and re-sentencing petitions. These documented cases establish that Judge Rappé's docket is concentrated in serious violent felony prosecutions, including both original sentencing proceedings and post-conviction matters such as re-sentencing petitions. The available profile data indicates that a 2025 appellate decision touched on Batson/Wheeler jury selection issues arising from his courtroom, signaling that jury selection procedure in his cases has drawn appellate scrutiny. His documented sentencing outcomes in murder cases reflect substantial custodial terms consistent with the gravity of the charged offenses. The denial of at least one re-sentencing petition further reflects his approach to post-conviction relief requests in violent felony matters. Because no analyzed rulings, attorney observations, or ingested content records are available, this profile is based solely on the four profile fields drawn from court records and public sources. Attorneys should treat this intelligence as a starting framework and supplement it with direct case research and colleague consultation before appearing before Judge Rappé.

Attorneys appearing before Judge Rappé in serious violent felony matters should be prepared for a courtroom that handles complex, high-stakes criminal proceedings. The documented case history — spanning original sentencing, re-sentencing petitions, and new hearing orders — indicates familiarity with the full lifecycle of violent felony cases, including post-conviction proceedings under California's evolving re-sentencing statutes. Defense counsel pursuing re-sentencing relief should be aware that at least one such petition has been denied, and should prepare thorough, well-documented records addressing the statutory criteria. The 2025 appellate decision referencing Batson/Wheeler issues from Judge Rappé's courtroom is a concrete data point that jury selection procedure has been a subject of appellate review in his cases. Both prosecution and defense counsel should be prepared to make complete, contemporaneous records on any Batson/Wheeler challenges during voir dire, as this area has already generated appellate attention. Counsel should not assume that objections or responses made informally will be preserved without a clear record. Given the absence of attorney observations or detailed ruling analyses, attorneys should conduct independent research into recent published and unpublished decisions arising from his department, review any available minute orders, and consult colleagues with direct courtroom experience before forming firm strategic assumptions about his preferences.

• critical

  Research Batson/Wheeler Record-Making Requirements

  Given the 2025 appellate decision addressing Batson/Wheeler issues from his courtroom, counsel must be prepared to make a complete and detailed record during voir dire on any jury selection challenges, including specific articulation of the basis for each challenge and response.

• critical

  Prepare Thorough Re-Sentencing Petition Documentation

  At least one re-sentencing petition has been denied in Judge Rappé's courtroom. Defense counsel must prepare comprehensive statutory analysis, supporting declarations, and factual records rather than relying on minimal filings.

• important

  Conduct Independent Ruling and Minute Order Research

  No analyzed rulings are available in this profile. Attorneys should independently research recent minute orders, published decisions, and appellate opinions arising from Judge Rappé's department to supplement this intelligence before appearing.

• important

  Consult Colleagues with Direct Courtroom Experience

  The absence of attorney observations in this profile means firsthand accounts from practitioners who have appeared before Judge Rappé are the most reliable source of courtroom-specific intelligence available.

• important

  Review Sentencing Memoranda Standards for Violent Felonies

  Documented sentencing outcomes in murder cases reflect substantial custodial terms. Both prosecution and defense counsel should prepare detailed, well-supported sentencing memoranda addressing all relevant factors under California law.

• ›Ensure all jury selection challenges and responses are stated clearly on the record with specific factual and legal bases, given the appellate attention Batson/Wheeler issues have received in this courtroom.
• ›Approach re-sentencing and post-conviction proceedings with thorough written submissions, as the documented denial of at least one re-sentencing petition indicates these matters receive substantive scrutiny.
• ›Be prepared for a courtroom that handles serious, high-profile violent felony matters; maintain professional decorum consistent with the gravity of the proceedings on the docket.
• ›Verify current department-specific procedures directly with the clerk's office before appearing, as no verified data on local rules or preferences is available in this profile.