Hon. Larry Alan Burns See Rating Details
District Judge See Comments
S.D.Cal.  
Average Rating:5.5 - 16 rating(s)
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Ratings
*Temperament:   (1=Awful,10=Excellent)
*Scholarship:   (1=Awful,10=Excellent)
*Industriousness:   (1=Not at all industrious,10=Highly industrious)
*Ability to Handle Complex Litigation:    (1=Awful,10=Excellent)
*Punctuality:    (1=Chronic`y Late,10=Always on Time)
*Evenhandedness in Civil Litigation:    (1=Demonstrates Bias,10=Entirely Evenhanded)
*Evenhandedness in Criminal Litigation:   (1=Demonstrates Bias,10=Entirely Evenhanded)
Flexibility In Scheduling   (1=Completely Inflexible,10=Very Flexible)
General Inclination Regarding Bail (1=Pro-Defense,10=Pro-Government)
General Inclination in Criminal Cases, Pre-Trial:   (1=Pro-Defense,10=Pro-Government)
Involvement in Civil Settlement Discussions:   (1=Least Involved,10=Most Involved)
General Inclination in Criminal Cases, Trial:    (1=Pro-Defense,10=Pro-Government)
General Inclination in Criminal Cases, Sentencing:    (1=Most Lenient,10=Most Harsh)
Typical Discount Off Guidelines for Cooperators:    (1=10%,10=100%)
  Items marked with (*) are averaged into the displayed overall rating
Comments


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What others have said about Hon. Larry Alan Burns


Comments


Other

Comment #: 25019
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
I find it hard it to believe that a Judge in this day and age could be so careless in matters that any ordinary Judge would not and could not ignore. What's even more alarming is he came into a case out of nowhere in place of the presiding Judge, just to deny a TRO in the face of blatant fabricated evidence. No reason, no excuse, no hesitation, not even a day. Not a word. I find everything about him unsettling to say the least.

Send e-mail to this poster 12/10/2017 12:11:31 AM

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 21360
Rating:8.5
Comments:
I don't typically post on these sites, but I was surprised at the ratings for Judge Burns. I have found Judge Burns to be fair, and to issue thoughtful and well-reasoned rulings (even when I lost). I'm not a criminal attorney, but, as criminal matters are heard before civil matters, I have had an opportunity to observe various cases. Again, Judge Burns is respectful and thoughtful in handling those matters as well.

Send e-mail to this poster 12/27/2013 2:22:05 PM

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: 19208
Rating:2.0
Comments:
should be thrown off the bench.

Send e-mail to this poster 12/23/2012 3:45:55 PM

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 12495
Rating:2.5
Comments:
Doesn't understand civil litigation, particularly complex matters process very well and doesn't seem to know what he doesn't know. Or care. Self-impressed.

Send e-mail to this poster 6/27/2011 1:59:55 PM

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: 12255
Rating:1.9
Comments:
terrible judge.

Send e-mail to this poster 5/4/2011 12:11:23 AM

Litigant

Comment #: 12140
Rating:1.0
Comments:
Court records indicate this judge creates facts out of thin air, rules out of bias, personal predilections, see Mt. Soledad Cross case, Kashin v. Kent, and Mednansky v. U.S.A.

Allows summary judgement despite clear evidence facts are in dispute. Perhaps views FRCP's are something for a judges discretion. See uscourtsgov.info concerning Judge Larry Burns wrongful behavior.

Judge Burns is a disgrace to the federal judiciary and a danger to society.

Send e-mail to this poster 4/10/2011 10:55:10 AM

Prosecutor

Comment #: 7718
Rating:5.8
Comments:
Below guidelines sentencing case. The government appeals the 30-month sentence the district court imposed on Juan Gonzalez-Zotelo after his conviction for being a deported alien found in the United States in violation
of 8 U.S.C. ยง 1326. Judge Burns "felt" his 30-month sentence was appropriate even though guidelines initally called for 63-78 months. Judge Burns decided this was too high and reduced the guidleines based on over-representation of criminal conduct and the revised range was 51-63 months. Still not satisified he justified a 30-month further reduced sentence because a previous criminal defendant who was convicted of armed robbery got 30 months. This judge is way out of line with downward departures. His justifications are downright silly.

Send e-mail to this poster 1/8/2009 1:08:40 PM

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: 5612
Rating:7.2
Comments:
Too inflexible in scheduling. Prefers maintaining judicial calendar at the expense of doing justice. He is very smart but not as smart as he thinks. Very independent. Although he is generally predisposed to rule for the government, having been a prosecutor, nonetheless he is not shy about disagreeing with them.

Send e-mail to this poster 1/26/2008 1:16:23 AM

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 5251
Rating:9.6
Comments:
Very smart judge. Tries to exert too much control, doesn't let the counsel work things out. Chamber rules and inflexibility in scheduling reflect a surprising lack of consideration for counsels' time and professional needs. For example, will not delay trial dates whern summary judgment motion is pending. But is an excellent trial judge with a firm grasp of the law and evidence. Was also an excellent Magistrate Judge.

Send e-mail to this poster 11/15/2007 6:20:25 PM

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: 5026
Rating:8.7
Comments:
I am involved in ongoing, complex criminal litigation before Judge Burns. I can't speak to the various other posted comments, but in our case he has been entirely straightforward, fair and flexible. He's smart, entertains oral argument, and unquestionably reads all the papers. I have no sense that he is leaning in either direction. He has no apparent axe to grind and seems most interested in providing a level playing field for the government and the defense. Couldn't really ask for more.

Send e-mail to this poster 10/9/2007 9:38:16 AM

Other

Comment #: 4621
Rating:3.0
Comments:
This judge ignores deals and does what he wants. He is a danger to justice. He is not a team player and is proud of it. VERY scary when it comes to a system that relies on checks and balances. He over punishes people for victimless crimes and wastes valuable prison space that should reserved for violent offenders.
He ignores the GUIDELINES OF JUSTICE. He should be wise enough to know innocent people sign deals because they are assured that it is the fastest way to get this behind them. BOOOOOOOOO for ignoring the system that appointed you.

Send e-mail to this poster 8/24/2007 10:09:36 AM

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 2793
Rating:1.3
Comments:
Would not grant timely motion of little-guy deft for relief from default and dismissed his counterclaim sua sponte. Then sent him to a magistrate for "settlement discussions."

Send e-mail to this poster 10/24/2006 5:10:45 PM