Judge Samuel Dalesandro

Judge Samuel Dalesandro presides over serious felony criminal matters at the B.F. Sisk Courthouse in Fresno County Superior Court. Based on documented news coverage from local outlets including the Fresno Bee and ABC30 Fresno, his docket includes some of the most serious criminal cases in the county: murder, rape, gang-related shootings, DUI fatalities, and high-profile hit-and-run cases. The cases covered in public reporting span arraignments, bail hearings, and sentencing proceedings, indicating Judge Dalesandro handles cases across multiple stages of the criminal process. In documented high-profile matters, Judge Dalesandro has issued no-bail orders in violent crime cases, including the February 2023 first appearance of an accused Selma police officer killer. His courtroom has been the site of high-tension proceedings, including a September 2023 arraignment in a deadly hit-and-run case where tensions flared outside the courtroom. He has also imposed prison sentences in rape and DUI fatality cases. These documented actions reflect a consistent pattern of treating violent and serious felony matters with heightened attention to public safety considerations at the bail and sentencing stages. The data available for Judge Dalesandro is limited to biographical and case-coverage information from public news sources, with no attorney observations or analyzed written rulings available. Attorneys should treat the insights below as directional guidance based on documented case outcomes rather than comprehensive behavioral analysis.

Attorneys appearing before Judge Dalesandro in serious felony matters should be prepared for a judge who takes public safety arguments seriously at bail hearings. The documented no-bail order in the Selma police officer murder case signals that in cases involving violence against law enforcement or other high-profile violent crimes, detention arguments grounded in public safety and flight risk carry weight. Defense attorneys seeking bail in serious violent felony cases should prepare exceptionally strong mitigation packages and community ties evidence, as the baseline posture in documented cases has been toward detention. For sentencing proceedings, the documented cases — rape, DUI fatalities, gang-related shootings — reflect a docket of serious, often emotionally charged matters. Attorneys on both sides should be prepared for proceedings that may draw media attention and public scrutiny. Arguments at sentencing should be grounded in the specific facts of the case and applicable sentencing law, as Judge Dalesandro's courtroom has been covered extensively by local press, suggesting he operates in a high-visibility environment. Given the absence of written ruling analyses and attorney observations, attorneys should conduct independent research into recent Fresno Superior Court filings and local practitioner networks to supplement this profile before any appearance. Direct outreach to attorneys who have appeared before Judge Dalesandro in Fresno County is the most reliable way to obtain current, granular behavioral intelligence.

• critical

  Prepare Comprehensive Bail Hearing Materials

  In any serious violent felony matter, prepare detailed detention or release arguments. The documented no-bail order in the Selma police officer murder case establishes that Judge Dalesandro takes public safety seriously at this stage. Defense counsel must bring strong community ties, mitigation, and flight risk rebuttal evidence.

• critical

  Research Local Practitioner Intelligence

  No attorney observations or written rulings are available in this profile. Before appearing, consult Fresno County criminal defense and prosecution practitioners who have appeared before Judge Dalesandro to obtain current behavioral and procedural intelligence.

• important

  Review Fresno Bee and ABC30 Case Coverage

  Local news coverage of Judge Dalesandro's courtroom provides the most accessible public record of his proceedings. Reviewing this coverage can surface procedural patterns, courtroom demeanor observations, and case outcome information not captured in this profile.

• important

  Prepare for High-Tension Courtroom Environment

  Documented cases include proceedings where tensions flared outside the courtroom. Attorneys should anticipate emotionally charged proceedings and prepare clients and witnesses accordingly to maintain courtroom decorum.

• important

  Sentencing Memoranda Should Address Public Safety

  Given the documented docket of rape, DUI fatalities, gang-related shootings, and murder cases, sentencing arguments before Judge Dalesandro should directly address public safety considerations, victim impact, and applicable sentencing law with specificity.

• ›Maintain strict professional decorum at all times; Judge Dalesandro's courtroom has been the site of high-profile, emotionally charged proceedings covered by local media, and conduct is subject to public scrutiny.
• ›Be prepared for serious felony criminal proceedings at any stage — arraignment, bail hearing, or sentencing — as Judge Dalesandro's documented docket spans all phases of the criminal process.
• ›Ensure clients and any courtroom supporters are briefed on courtroom conduct expectations; documented cases include proceedings where tensions arose among those present.
• ›Arrive prepared with complete case materials for bail hearings; the documented record shows Judge Dalesandro makes consequential detention decisions at first appearances.