Milestones in Hispanic Legal History in California

This timeline shares milestones involving cases impacting Hispanic history in California, as well as select Hispanic jurists throughout California judicial branch history.

This timeline was created in association with the Los Angeles Superior Court Latino Judicial Officers Association (Judges Maria R. Byrum, Annabelle Cortez, Miguel Espinoza, Benjamin P. Hernandez-Stern, Roberto Longoria, Serena Murillo, Maria Puente-Porras, and Alex Ricciardulli, and Commissioner Dennis F. Hernandez).

1870-10-01 03:31:23

People v. de la Guerra

California Supreme Court holds that people from Mexico living in California when it became part of the U.S. (including Mr. Pablo de la Guerra) can become U.S. citizens.

1942-10-13 11:36:49

The Sleepy Lagoon Trial

The Sleepy Lagoon murder trial revealed racial prejudices against Latino youth in World War II-era America.

1946-02-18 09:29:21

Mendez v. Westminster

Before the landmark Brown v. Board of Education decision in the U.S. Supreme Court, a federal appeals court ruled against schools that discriminated against Mexican-Americans.

1953-09-01 03:45:03

First Latino Judge in California Trial Court: Carlos Mendoza Teran

Carlos Mendoza Teran was the first Mexican-American judge appointed to a court in California.

1970-08-23 01:10:00

Legal Actions During the Lettuce Strike

The California Supreme Court ruled that agricultural workers in the state (who were mostly Mexican) could legally boycott and picket as part of their First Amendment rights. This ruling led to further organizing by farmworkers to secure better working conditions, higher wages, and the right to unionize.

1976-06-01 21:34:05

First Latino Judge in the California Court of Appeal and First Latino Justice in the California Supreme Court: Cruz Reynoso

Cruz Reynoso was the first Latino Associate Justice of the California Supreme Court, serving from 1982 to 1987. He previously served in the California Court of Appeal, Third Appellate District, and was also the first Latino to serve in a California appellate court.

1978-01-25 07:03:31

First Latina Judge in California: Frances Muñoz

From the Los Angeles Times: "On Jan. 25, 1978, Gov. Jerry Brown appointed [Muñoz] as a trial judge in the Harbor Judicial District in Newport Beach, a first for a Latina in California and perhaps the nation."

2023-01-02 00:00:00

First Latina Chief Justice of California: Patricia Guerrero

Patricia Guerrero is currently serving as the 29th Chief Justice of California and is the first Latina to serve in the role and on the bench of the California Supreme Court.

California Jurist

First Latina Chief Justice of California: Patricia Guerrero

Jan 2023 - Jan 2034

Patricia Guerrero is currently serving as the 29th Chief Justice of California and is the first Latina to serve in the role and on the bench of the...

First Latina Judge in California: Frances Muñoz

Jan 1978 - Jan 2001

From the Los Angeles Times: "On Jan. 25, 1978, Gov. Jerry Brown appointed [Muñoz] as a trial judge in the Harbor Judicial District in Newport Beach, a...

First Latino Judge in the California Court of Appeal and First Latino...

Jun 1976 - Jan 1987

Cruz Reynoso was the first Latino Associate Justice of the California Supreme Court, serving from 1982 to 1987. He previously served in the California...

Legal Actions During the Lettuce Strike

Aug 1970 - Mar 1971

The California Supreme Court ruled that agricultural workers in the state (who were mostly Mexican) could legally boycott and picket as part of their...

First Latino Judge in California Trial Court: Carlos Mendoza Teran

Sep 1953 - Jan 1979

Carlos Mendoza Teran was the first Mexican-American judge appointed to a court in California.

Mendez v. Westminster

Feb 1946 - Apr 1947

Before the landmark Brown v. Board of Education decision in the U.S. Supreme Court, a federal appeals court ruled against schools that discriminated...

The Sleepy Lagoon Trial

Oct 1942 - Oct 1944

The Sleepy Lagoon murder trial revealed racial prejudices against Latino youth in World War II-era America.

People v. de la Guerra

October 1870

California Supreme Court holds that people from Mexico living in California when it became part of the U.S. (including Mr. Pablo de la Guerra) can...

Milestones in Hispanic Legal History in California

This timeline shares milestones involving cases impacting Hispanic history in California, as well as select Hispanic jurists throughout California judicial branch history.

1870-10-01 03:31:23

People v. de la Guerra

1942-10-13 11:36:49

The Sleepy Lagoon Trial

1946-02-18 09:29:21

Mendez v. Westminster

1953-09-01 03:45:03

First Latino Judge in California Trial Court: Carlos Mendoza Teran

1970-08-23 01:10:00

Legal Actions During the Lettuce Strike

1976-06-01 21:34:05

First Latino Judge in the California Court of Appeal and First Latino Justice in the California Supreme Court: Cruz Reynoso

1978-01-25 07:03:31

First Latina Judge in California: Frances Muñoz

2023-01-02 00:00:00

First Latina Chief Justice of California: Patricia Guerrero

Milestones in Hispanic Legal History in California

California Jurist

First Latina Chief Justice of California: Patricia Guerrero

Jan 2023 - Jan 2034

California Jurist

First Latina Judge in California: Frances Muñoz

Jan 1978 - Jan 2001

California Jurist

First Latino Judge in the California Court of Appeal and First Latino...

Jun 1976 - Jan 1987

California Court Case/Law

Legal Actions During the Lettuce Strike

Aug 1970 - Mar 1971

California Jurist

First Latino Judge in California Trial Court: Carlos Mendoza Teran

Sep 1953 - Jan 1979

Federal Court Case/Law

Mendez v. Westminster

Feb 1946 - Apr 1947

California Court Case/Law

The Sleepy Lagoon Trial

Oct 1942 - Oct 1944

California Court Case/Law

People v. de la Guerra

October 1870

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October 2034

10th August 2035