Judge Enrique Guerrero

Judge Enrique Guerrero was appointed to the San Bernardino Superior Court by Governor Gavin Newsom on May 19, 2023, bringing with him over two decades of prosecutorial experience. He served as a Deputy District Attorney at the San Bernardino County District Attorney's Office beginning in 1999 and previously worked as a Contract Attorney at the San Diego County District Attorney's Office. His career was rooted entirely in criminal prosecution before his elevation to the bench. The defining characteristic noted about Judge Guerrero's judicial approach is his practice of allowing attorneys to fully build their record in proceedings before him. This record-conscious orientation reflects a procedurally thorough approach to courtroom management. Attorneys appearing before him can expect a judge who values completeness of the evidentiary and legal record over speed or brevity. Given his exclusively prosecutorial background spanning more than two decades in two separate district attorney's offices, Judge Guerrero brings deep familiarity with criminal procedure, evidentiary standards, and the mechanics of the prosecution function. He received his legal education from California Western School of Law. As a relatively recently appointed judge, his judicial record is still developing, and the data available is limited to biographical and career profile information.

The single most actionable piece of intelligence available about Judge Guerrero is his documented practice of allowing attorneys to fully build their record. Attorneys should take full advantage of this by making complete, well-organized offers of proof, preserving all objections on the record, and ensuring that every argument and piece of evidence is formally entered rather than assumed or stipulated away informally. Do not abbreviate your record-building out of concern for the judge's patience — the data indicates he supports this process. Given Judge Guerrero's extensive background as a Deputy District Attorney in San Bernardino County, defense attorneys in particular should be prepared for a judge with sophisticated knowledge of prosecutorial strategy, charging decisions, and criminal procedure. Arguments that rely on prosecutorial overreach or procedural missteps should be supported with precise legal authority and factual specificity, as this judge will be well-versed in how the prosecution side operates. Because no ruling analyses or attorney observations are available beyond the profile data, attorneys should approach their first appearances before Judge Guerrero with a conservative, thorough, and procedurally rigorous posture. Prioritize completeness of the record, cite authority precisely, and do not assume familiarity with informal local practices that have not been confirmed in his courtroom.

• critical

  Prepare a Complete and Organized Record

  Judge Guerrero's noted practice of allowing attorneys to build their record means you should arrive with every exhibit, objection, and argument prepared for formal entry. Do not rely on informal understandings or off-the-record agreements to substitute for a complete record.

• critical

  Research Criminal Procedure Thoroughly

  Given his 24-plus years as a prosecutor, Judge Guerrero has deep expertise in criminal procedure and evidentiary standards. Any argument touching on these areas must be grounded in precise legal authority and factual specificity.

• important

  Identify All Appellate Preservation Issues in Advance

  Because the judge supports full record development, use this opportunity to ensure all issues requiring preservation for appeal are formally raised and documented. Prepare a checklist of preservation points before each hearing.

• important

  Monitor Emerging Rulings from This Department

  With no ruling analyses currently available, attorneys should actively track new decisions and attorney reports from Judge Guerrero's courtroom as his judicial record develops, and update strategy accordingly.

• Nice

  Review San Bernardino County DA Office Practices

  Judge Guerrero's long tenure at the San Bernardino County DA's Office means he is familiar with that office's internal practices and charging norms. Attorneys litigating against that office should be prepared for a judge with insider knowledge of its operations.

• ›Take full advantage of the opportunity to build a complete record — do not abbreviate arguments or offers of proof out of concern for time, as the judge is noted for supporting this process.
• ›Approach proceedings with procedural rigor: make all objections formally on the record, cite authority precisely, and ensure all exhibits are properly identified and entered.
• ›Treat the judge's prosecutorial background with respect — do not make arguments that assume he is unfamiliar with how the prosecution side operates, as he has over two decades of direct experience.
• ›As a relatively recently appointed judge, be attentive to how he manages courtroom procedure and adapt to any evolving preferences he demonstrates during hearings.