"The Robing Room: CA State Judges

Hon. Randa Trapp	See Rating Details
Judge Superior Court
San Diego County	See Comments

Attorney Average Rating: 2.3 - 23 rating(s) Non-Attorney Average Rating: 1.0 - 12 rating(s)	Please send me alerts on this judge E-mail Address:

Add your own rating

E-Mail Address ()

* *

Confirm E-mail Address

* * *

Zip

Occupation

Add a comment only

Only items marked with (*) are averaged into the displayed overall rating.

General Rating Criteria

* 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=Chronically Late,10=Always on Time)
* General Ability to Handle Pre-Trial Matters		(1=Not all Able, 10=Extremely Able)
* General Ability as a Trial Judge		(1=Not all Able, 10=Extremely Able)
Flexibility In Scheduling		(1=Completely Inflexible,10=Very Flexible)

Criminal Rating Criteria (if applicable)

* Evenhandedness in Criminal Litigation		(1=Demonstrates Bias,10=Entirely Evenhanded)
General Inclination Regarding Bail		(1=Pro-Defense,10=Pro-Government)
Involvement in Plea Discussions		(1=Not at all Involved, 10=Very Involved)
General Inclination in Criminal Cases Pretrial Stage		(1=Pro-prosecution,10=Pro-defense)
General Inclination in Criminal Cases Trial Stage		(1=Pro-prosecution,10=Pro-defense)
General Inclination in Criminal Cases Sentencing Stage		(1=Pro-prosecution,10=Pro-defense)

Civil Rating Criteria (if applicable)

* Evenhandedness in Civil Litigation		(1=Not at all Evenhanded,10=Entirely Evenhanded)
Involvement in Settlement Discussions		(1=Not at all Involved,10=Very Involved)
General Inclination		(1=Pro-defendant, 10=Pro-plaintiff)

Comments

Please type what you see below:

Not an even number!

What others have said about Hon. Randa Trapp

Comments

Other

Comment #: CA32391
Rating:1.0

Comments:
If the reports I have heard or read about and less than 1/3 was true this judge should be in jail. My own personal dealings with this judge was a warrant to inspect my home which does not appear to be legal.

Other

Comment #: CA31385
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
CA31382, CA31383

More convoluted comments, posted within mere minutes of other comment, around midnight- PST; pushing other comments down-- improperly calling this judge "stupid"-- while the comment itself, is poorly written, with poor grammar, convoluted and it makes no sense..

Other

Comment #: CA31384
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
CA31382, CA31383

More convoluted comments, posted within mere minutes of other comment, around midnight; pushing other comments down-- improperly calling this judge "stupid"-- while the comment itself, is poorly written, with poor grammar, convoluted and it makes no sense..

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA31383
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Judge Trapp refused to filed a complaint because the plaintiff has the same common name as someone on the vexatious litigant list that filed a case in a different location 9 years earlier. Plaintiff proved it wasn't him but Trapp denied the filing because his name on complaint had a middle initial but he signed it without one. She wouldn't dismiss another case against a pro se defendant who didn't live in California by refusing to accept judicial notice of the summons served to his Florida address because it was a fact outside the pleadings. No judge could really be this stupid.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA31382
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
Judge Trapp refused to filed a complaint because the plaintiff has the same common name as someone on the vexatious litigant list that filed a case in a different location 9 years earlier. Plaintiff proved it wasn't him but Trapp denied the filing because his name on complaint had a middle initial but he signed it without one. She wouldn't dismiss another case against a pro se defendant who didn't live in California by refusing to accept judicial notice of the summons served to his Florida address because it was a fact outside the pleadings. No judge could really be this stupid.

Civil Litigation - Govt.

Comment #: CA28658
Rating:5.6

Comments:
Thoroughly average judicial officer. Adjusts temperament to situation with surprising slyness ... Trying to get you to settle, trying to get disincentivize nonsense... Average intelligence. Anyone who is so offended with her rulings likely hasn't been in front of many judges.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA27925
Rating:7.3

Comments:
I had a jury trial with Judge Trapp, so I want to give my honest assessment.

In my first appearance in front of Judge Trapp, she was rude and mean. I thought, “Oh, great, I have a lousy judge.” However, in subsequent hearings, she was perfectly cordial. I wondered how she’d behave when we got to trial. When we got to trial, she was perfectly fine. In fact, she was very fair, and treated both sides equally. She wasn’t an ogre or a diva. She was just a judge doing her job. I agreed with some of her rulings, disagreed with others, but, at the end of the day, I’d be perfectly happy using her again.

I do want to address the “she dislikes Caucasians” comment someone made. If you saw me, I am the poster child of a white guy. After my first appearance, I honestly wondered if there was some racial animus from her toward me. However, I realized I couldn’t change that (if it were so), so I just worked overtime to be very cordial, and respectful. Just like in regular life, if someone’s personality is a little different or a little more edgy, you adjust to compensate for it. If that person actually harbors racial attitudes, then you must work to defuse those defenses, even if there is no reason for her to have those attitudes. At trial, when I disagreed with her, I took extra care not to be confrontational. My laid back approach worked well. She was very receptive to things I said.

The point is that you can’t let your personal emotions get in the way. Be pragmatic about dealing with her, and things will work out fine. Is Judge Trapp a racist? I don’t think so. Does she harbor some racial attitudes toward people? I honestly don’t know, but it’s best just to use kindness to win the day. It may sound hokey, but it’s true. In the end, she was a normal judge once the trial got going.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA22855
Rating:1.6

Comments:
Insecure woman with anger issues. Probes about trivial matters to harass attorneys. Her calendar always runs late, despite her great staff who help move things along. She has issued OSC hearings without a basis, for example issuing an OSC re failure to file default when Defendant’s answer is not due yet. This is poor form and is not fair.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA22612
Rating:1.0

Comments:
In my opinion:
Randa Trapp is the most horrible, awful "judge" (using the term lightly) I have ever come across in two decades of being an attorney. I actually looked her up - wanted to see if there was some kind of mistake!

Apparently, she has a litany of personal problems and DV allegations against her that were posted on the internet - something about abusing her children if I recall correctly. Didn't have the time to look up whether the child abuse allegations were dismissed or not but I will say Trapp has an incredibly BAD TEMPER in court.

I found her to be extremely ABUSIVE to those in the courtroom!!! She screams and yells and looks as if she's about to throw something! It was shocking frankly. IMO she was extremely abusive and disrespectful of attorneys who are FAR more educated and accomplished than her!!! At one point after a tirade where she belittled the witness (crazy, right??!) she just abruptly left the bench and ordered a break as she ran out of the courtroom like a lunatic.

Paper her as fast as you can. I don't know why this woman is allowed to remain on the bench! She's an embarrassment to the legal profession!!! And to herself as well!

Randa Trapp has a huge chip on her shoulder as if she knows deep down she doesn't belong to be there - at least that was my vibe. People laugh about her all the time. It would be sad if she weren't such a nasty, straight up ----! She is a BIG ZERO!!!

Other

Comment #: CA22294
Rating:9.0

Comments:
Found her to be very fair for our case. Did not see any bias. The appeal she presided over was nearly identical to the first judge.

Litigant

Comment #: CA12740
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Randa Trapp lacks the intelligence and temperament to be a judge. She tries to mask her incompetence by lashing out against any attorney that has the temerity to disagree with her. She exhibits bias, pre-judges everything and definitely dislikes any litigant that is caucasian and successful. Do not appear in front of this woman. No matter your dispute she will be worse than whatever you're up against.

Other

Comment #: CA12439
Rating:1.0

Comments:
She was the judge who heard my small claims appeal. It was a case against a contractor who did work on my roof, which failed. Even providing an expert witness statement from one of the most experienced and renowned firms in town she did not accept it because it was not signed under penalty of perjury. But she accepted unsigned fabricated invoices by same contractor who counter sued me on past projects outstanding balances. Even properties I never owned but was rather the listing agent.
Where did she study law? This was my first experience in the court room and I am shocked how real facts, experts and actual damages are ignored and unsubstantiated documents win. Even Judge Judy upholds the law better than her!

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA10117
Rating:2.3

Comments:
First, I am not unhappy with the judgment I got for my client at all. I have never been so disrespected in any court room by any judge ever. She is rude, disrespectful, and runs her court room like the Maury Povich (sp?) show. Power trip is an understatement. Such a shame that our tax dollars are going towards such a circus.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA9537
Rating:1.4

Comments:
She is among the worst judges I have had the misfortune of appearing before. Rude, ignorant, and blatantly biased.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA8509
Rating:10.0

Comments:
I found Judge Trapp as very professional, strictly "by the law" type of judge. And I would want her to handle my future lawsuits if only I am allowed to choose. I have utmost respect for Judge Trapp, also Judge Styn and Judge Taylor.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: CA7249
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Every time a person posts to my civil list serve as to whether or not they should keep or paper Randa Trapp, there is a flurry of responses detailing the imbecilic rulings, vile courtroom presence, or a combination of both to the point I have to just hit a blanket "delete." She is one of the most heavily papered judges in San Diego, so much so that she got moved out of Family court to criminal court. When too many people papered her in criminal court, she got moved to civil court. She simply is incompetent, unlike, angry and abusive.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: CA6492
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
Prejudice against senior female attorneys. (Age discrimination)

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA6157
Rating:2.0

Comments:
One experience is not scientific but IMO she made an incomprehensible decision despite overwhelming evidence pointing the other way....

There will be paper. It's a head scratcher, for sure.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA5684
Rating:1.0

Comments:
It is logical that 50% of the litigants would be unhappy with any judge's decision who would have to tip to one side over the other. However, this is a unique San Diego judge who hides her procedural violations behind these statistics.. I, vividly observed that judge to be "decision driven" before she hears the case! I do not know why she even holds the hearing in the first place? Her body language, that she relies heavily upon, conveys Discomfort. Her decision is NOT based upon the law or judicial ethics, but is based upon her personal "Likes."
Is this the worst judge in San Diego County?

It makes you wonder, if you should ever trust how this judicial system functions as long as this judge sits on the bench?

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA5640
Rating:1.0

Comments:
The single worst judge I have come across in almost 30 years of practice. She might be an OK person, but she's an awful judge. As bad as it gets. Ignores the law, is rude to attorneys, and bases her decisions on who she seems to like better, regardless of the facts, or the law. Yes, there are other bad judges, and you probably will get stuck with one of them, but they would be a dream compared to Judge Trapp. If you don't file a 170.6 immediately upon being assigned to her, you are an idiot.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA5637
Rating:2.8

Comments:
Want to have a funny experience? When you're in her chambers, ask why she is displaying a photo of President Obama. She literally idolizes Obama. I guess they're in a competition to see which of them is more incompetent.

Other

Comment #: CA5569
Rating:1.0

Comments:
It is unfortunate that this so-called judge with a horrible history of performance is still in this position.She had destroyed family lives back in that division, with 7 appeals in 9 months. the family court division decided she's no longer suitable to hold that position.

Litigant

Comment #: CA5237
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Randa Trapp ignores the facts and the law, even when this has been clearly presented to her both orally and in writing. Arbitrary and capricious. Or perhaps, just plain old corrupt.

Other

Comment #: CA5103
Rating:1.0

Comments:
SAN DIEGO — A candidate for San Diego’s Superior Court once tried to get an African-American judge who was the former leader of the local chapter of the NAACP removed from his case because of what he termed “her permanent disability as a Negro racist.”

The candidate, Douglas Crawford of San Diego, is also facing a disciplinary suspension from the State Bar on another matter in the same case: For emailing lawyers representing the opposing side in a lawsuit, saying that his client would trigger an IRS audit of the opposing party if settlement talks did not begin.

He’s appealing a 90-day suspension from the bar, which said he broke ethical rules by trying to get an edge in the case by threatening the audit.

In the same case, in February 2011, Crawford filed a motion to disqualify San Diego Superior Court Judge Randa Trapp, a black woman appointed to the bench in 2003.

In court papers and an interview this week, Crawford said the move was based on Trapp’s past affiliation with the NAACP which he described in court papers as a “militant, ‘black power’ organization that solely focuses on the ‘advancement of colored’ people.”

He said this week that the filing was nothing personal and considered Trapp “a good judge” and he was not a racist.

Trapp declined to comment on the issue Thursday, as did San Diego Superior Court Judge Ronald Prager, Crawford’s election opponent.

Trapp was a former lawyer for Sempra Energy and was also president of the local chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) from 1996 to 2000. In the motion, Crawford argued the NAACP was not a race neutral organization but focuses only an African-Americans, and therefore intentionally discriminates against others.

That meant she couldn’t be fair, he wrote.

“Judge Trapp’s racist bias and prejudice in favor of negroes and against whites would not be a problem ‘but for’ the fact that Plaintiff’s attorney Douglas J. Crawford (“Crawford’) is lily white,” he wrote.

San Diego NAACP President Lei-Chala Wilson said that the organization has fought against discrimination of gays and lesbians, Hispanics, people of Middle Eastern origin and other minority groups.

“The NAACP fights discrimination for everyone,” she said. “We are not militant. We have people of all colors and backgrounds leading branches across the country and members who are white.”

Crawford noted in his filing that he was “well known in the legal community” for supporting white supremacists causes by providing free legal advice to white supremacists, and that this would further bias Trapp against him.

Crawford said this week he could not reveal what white supremacists he had represented.

The disqualification motion cited a section of state law that says a judge can be disqualified from a case if he or she has a “permanent or temporary physical impairment” that prevents them from conducting court proceedings or discerning the evidence.

Crawford wrote that Trapp “will be unable to properly perceive the evidence and/or properly conduct the proceedings by virtue of her permanent disability as a Negro racist.”

Other

Comment #: CA5102
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Remove her in the name of justice.

Litigant

Comment #: CA4350
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
Remove her as a judge! I cannot justify one single explanation as to how she ever became a judge. She ignores the law, cannot follow the cases, changes her mind constantly, cannot understand basic accounting, drags out cases, and predetermines her opinion before the trial even begins. She does not understand or choose to care how serious her incompetence is, in its impact upon peoples' lives!

Litigant

Comment #: CA4027
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
What do you do with a judge like Ronda Trapp, who disregards the law and is not concerned with real facts that would lead to justice? It appears that she is prejudiced and has no desire to uphold the integrity of the courts, the law or the Constitution, which were all created in order to protect the rights of individual citizens. She ruins lives with her recklessness, arrogance and opinions. That is a fact. She cannot follow a case. That is a fact. Some people do not have the skills to judge, and Judge Trapp is one of them. She also lacks respect towards others, as well as leadership and legal skills. She sets a poor example as a judge. Respect has to be earned by good, fair and honest work. A robe is a symbol of respect that most judges deserve to wear, but Judge Trapp wrongfully believes that her robe will protect her, regardless of her actions.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: CA3842
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
To say that Judge Trapp is incompetent is an insult to incompetents. This woman should not be allowed to practice law in any manner in any court. She obviously has some axe to grind and is improperly using the justice system as her grinding wheel. She blatantly chooses to ignore the law. She makes up her mind at the beginning of the trial and then twists the facts and the law to match her decision. This is frustrating to both the parties and the experts. She is incapable of understanding even the simplest principles and concepts and abuses her power against those who call her on her incompetence. Incompetence is an understatement when it comes to this judge, and unfortunately it is the litigants that suffer for it. I chose not to rate her because there is no rating low enough on the scale.

Court Staff

Comment #: CA3628
Rating:1.0

Comments:
There's a video circulating today about a judge who was recently kicked off the bench but I have to say when watching the video that the bounced judge was Oliver Wendell Holmes compared to the incompetent Randa Trapp! Trapp has abysmal judicial temperament and wholly lacks any grasp of the law. It is shocking that Trapp ever made it to the bench much less that she could remain there. The bounced judge was a polite kitten compared to the RUDE, wild-eyed ferel (ferel is Latin for "a wild beast") Trapp. That woman will snap in court and just go off incoherently. Frankly, she is an embarrassment to the legal profession. If you have a case in front of the Ferel Trapp - FLEE as fast as you can! Like a bunny has to flee from a wild boar to preserve itself.

(See ABA law article with the video: (http://www.abajournal.com/news/article/judge_who_shouted_shut_up_at_litigants_is_removed_top_state_court_cites_soc/?utm_source=maestro&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=weekly_email).

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA3445
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Randa's painful incompetence is the butt of lawyers' after-hour jokes over cocktails and impedes the advancement of women as a result. There are wonderful and highly-regarded female jurists on the federal and state bench. It is an honor to know them and to be in their courtrooms. Randa Trapp simply does NOT deserve to be counted amongst them and she really should be removed from the bench. Sadly, Trapp is simply nothing more than a special needs preschooler compared to any talented judges. It would be an absolute travesty if Trapp ends up presiding over the Junior Seau case since she is wholly incompetent in her ability to grasp simple legal issues not to mention very complicated medical issues like CTE. It would be like a 5 year old strolling into college. Given Trapp’s classless courtroom demeanor, there should be an option for 0 stars on this website.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA3443
Rating:1.0

Comments:
“Judge” Randa Trapp (and I use that term lightly) has the highest reversal rate of all judges and sports an appalling reputation in the legal community which speaks for itself. Trapp still hasn't figured out the meaning of basic legal rules such as hearsay which can completely gut the best, most well prepared case in the middle of a trial. Just ridiculous!

Both sides should RUN, not walk, from her courtroom because Trapp is such a MORON she is essentially a loose cannon and you don’t know how your case could turn out. This is besides the fact that she is just straight up MEAN and loves to throw her power around. This woman is very rough around the edges and has a huge chip on her shoulder. I have seen her belittle attorneys in the courtroom who are smarter and better educated than she is – properly due to her sense of inferiority. She lacks professionalism, proper courtroom, demeanor, and the mental ability to properly analyze legal issues. I won't even touch my opinions about her ethics - or lack thereof.

Court Staff

Comment #: CA2962
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Judge Randa Trapp is incapable of writing orders with any legal reasoning, is out of touch with reality, and has the highest reversal rate of any downtown civil court judge, see, http://randatrapp.blogspot.com

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA2856
Rating:2.8

Comments:
The English language does not have the right words to describe the incompetence of Randa Trapp. Westlaw Judicial Profile reports a 60% reversal rate. Total moron who is adored by the defense bar. Judge Trapp shows favoritsm before a jury in court such as shaking hands with defense witness and being adverse to plaintiff witnesses.

Litigant

Comment #: CA2840
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Absolute idiot. Stone faced like a wise old owl, but with the smarts of a bimbo absent the attractiveness.

Horrific evidentiary rulings and will poison the best plaintiff's case.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA2687
Rating:2.3

Comments:
Judge Trapp's low rating is well-deserved. It is unclear how she sits on the bench. I have never had her be unpleasant, but she seems perpetually confused. At her morning CMC and ex parte calendar, I saw and watched approximately 6 cases go before mine. She, literally, did not get the issue on one of the cases right. The attorneys had to keep correcting her and reminding her of the previous hearing, ruling, etc. Paper her!

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA2324
Rating:1.1

Comments:
Dumbest judge on the bench. Lazy. Mean. Incompetent. If you care about your clients don't ever let her judge one of your cases. Self-righteous and lawless. Makes up her mind fast then stops listening. Forget ever talking her into changing a tentative ruling. Haughty and superior, without anything to be superior about.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA1463
Rating:1.3

Comments:
Cautious and ignorant. Easily persuaded and impressed by arguing party's status. No real knowledge of the law and no real sense of justice. Should not be a judge. Does not follow the law and can be easily persuade to deviate from the law because of confusion. No personal agenda, just morphs the law to appease the party that she favors. Absolutely, no predictability as to an outcome based on law. Rulings touch on the law, but their outcome is based on favortism.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: CA1162
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
On an important civil law & motion matter, Judge Trapp was clearly unfamiliar with the contents of the moving and opposing papers. Worse, she was unfamiliar with the law. There is no excuse for lack of preparation. Avoid her like the plague.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: CA1046
Rating:2.2

Comments:
One of the most incompetent judges ever! An enemy of the U.S. and CA Constitutions.

Runs a "Kangaroo Court" a true disgrace to the legal community.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: CA520
Rating:1.0

Comments:
This woman is by far the most ignorant person I have ever seen on the bench in any county in this state. She hides behind her imbecility by being mean. The family law lawyer got her removed from family court. So they put her into criminal court. The Public Defenders had to paper her constantly because she was just so bizaare and legally incorrect in her ruling. Let me repeat: this is a stupid, stupid woman.

Other

Comment #: CA7
Rating:1.0

Comments:
She has no business judging anyone. She is incapable of following arguments. She is biased and needlessly impatient. Frankly, I don't think she is very smart. She was challenged in her position in family court because she told a respondent, who was making a reasonable living, to get a better job. The guy was a lawyer and decided to run against her.