Judge Scott R. Herin

Judge Scott R. Herin has served on the Los Angeles County Superior Court since his appointment by Governor Jerry Brown on October 29, 2018, filling the vacancy created by the elevation of Judge Michael J. Raphael to the Court of Appeal. His pre-bench career spans nearly two decades as a criminal defense and public interest attorney, beginning with the Legal Aid and Defender Association of Detroit, followed by a brief tenure at Dependency Court Legal Services in California in 1998, and then nearly twenty years as a deputy public defender at the Los Angeles County Public Defender's Office starting in 1999. His work at the Public Defender's Office centered specifically on clients with mental illness and intellectual disabilities, giving him deep, specialized experience in competency proceedings, mental health diversion, and the intersection of criminal law with disability rights. Judge Herin's entire pre-bench legal career was devoted to representing indigent defendants and vulnerable populations. This background shapes his institutional perspective: he has spent the bulk of his professional life as an advocate for those least able to navigate the legal system, with particular expertise in mental health law as it intersects with criminal proceedings. Attorneys appearing before him should understand that he brings firsthand knowledge of public defender practice, dependency proceedings, and mental health-related legal frameworks. No ruling data is currently available to characterize his specific judicial tendencies on motions, evidentiary rulings, or case management, so assessments of his courtroom behavior are limited to what his career record directly supports.

Given Judge Herin's nearly two decades representing clients with mental illness and intellectual disabilities, attorneys handling matters that touch on mental health, competency, or disability-related issues should be prepared for a judge with substantive expertise in these areas. Do not oversimplify or misstate the legal standards governing competency evaluations, mental health diversion under Penal Code section 1001.36, or related frameworks — he has litigated these issues extensively from the defense side and will recognize errors or mischaracterizations. Because no ruling analyses or attorney observations are currently available, attorneys cannot rely on established patterns regarding his motion practice, tentative ruling procedures, or preferred briefing styles. The prudent approach is to contact the court clerk's office to confirm current courtroom procedures, standing orders, and any local preferences specific to his department. Attorneys should also review the Stanley Mosk Courthouse's general local rules and any department-specific guidelines posted on the court's website before any appearance. Judge Herin's background as a public defender — not a prosecutor or civil litigator — means his professional instincts were formed on the defense side of criminal matters. In criminal proceedings, both prosecution and defense counsel should anticipate a judge who is familiar with the practical realities of public defender caseloads and the procedural rights of defendants. Civil practitioners should note that his career record does not reflect civil litigation experience prior to the bench, and should not assume familiarity with civil motion practice norms that would be second nature to a judge with a civil litigation background.

• critical

  Confirm Department Standing Orders and Procedures

  With no ruling data available, contact the clerk for Judge Herin's department at Stanley Mosk Courthouse to obtain any standing orders, tentative ruling procedures, or department-specific requirements before any appearance.

• critical

  Master the Applicable Mental Health and Competency Law

  If your matter involves mental health diversion, competency proceedings, or intellectual disability issues, ensure your legal arguments are precise and fully grounded in current statutory and case law. Judge Herin has nearly twenty years of direct experience in this area and will recognize imprecision.

• important

  Research Recent Appearances and Outcomes in His Department

  Consult with attorneys who have recently appeared before Judge Herin to gather firsthand observations about his courtroom demeanor, motion practice preferences, and procedural expectations, since no published ruling data is currently available.

• important

  Review Stanley Mosk Courthouse Local Rules

  Ensure full compliance with the Los Angeles Superior Court local rules applicable to Stanley Mosk Courthouse, including formatting, filing deadlines, and meet-and-confer requirements, as these form the baseline expectation for any department.

• important

  Prepare Thorough Record on Defendant Background in Criminal Matters

  Given his career focus on clients with mental illness and intellectual disabilities, ensure that any relevant mental health history, disability status, or treatment records are properly documented and presented in criminal matters where these factors are relevant.

• ›Arrive prepared with a thorough command of the facts and applicable law — his background as a practicing attorney for nearly two decades reflects a practitioner who values substantive preparation.
• ›Do not misstate or oversimplify legal standards related to mental health, competency, or intellectual disability — his specialized expertise in these areas means errors will be apparent.
• ›Confirm courtroom-specific procedures with the department clerk in advance, as no standing order data is currently available to guide expectations about oral argument, tentative rulings, or scheduling.
• ›Treat all parties and counsel with professionalism consistent with his public service background representing vulnerable populations.