"The Robing Room: FL State Judges

Hon. Alan S. Apte	See Rating Details
Circuit Court
Orange County 9th Circuit	See Comments

Attorney Average Rating: 4.8 - 8 rating(s) Non-Attorney Average Rating: 4.0 - 21 rating(s)	Please send me alerts on this judge E-mail Address:

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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

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What others have said about Hon. Alan S. Apte

Comments

Litigant

Comment #: FL9743
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Awful. Allowed ex-husband to write letters to the court without my, or my attorney's knowledge, and admitted during custody/divorce that he had read every one of them. Misogynistic to the hilt. Needs educated on domestic violence as he sides with abuser. I've heard this time and time again from others. I've only felt suicidal once in my life and it was after appearing in his court as a domestic violence victim and watching him team up with my batterer. Horrible. Look at the reviews and wake up Orange County!!!

Court Staff

Comment #: FL8165
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Worst judge ever. Glad he got voted out of office. He never deserve to be there in the first place. Because of his haphazard emotionally driven Decisions my kids have hopped home to home on a temporary order. While waiting for a final ruling because court has been backed up due to COVID. Do not hire him for anything.

Other

Comment #: FL7979
Rating:1.0

Comments:
He did not even want to hear ONE WORD of what I wanted to say .He accused me of being my daughter's worst enemy ! He was willing to sentence a nursing mother with a newborn child to the max sentence on a misdemeanor charge for violating parole but she was out WITH ME! Sooooo glad hes a FORMER judge and even happier my daughter is done with the entire court system as well

Litigant

Comment #: FL7718
Rating:10.0

Comments:
During my last hearing with Judge Alan Apte he made an emotional situation calm. My voice was heard. I am so happy that he is my judge.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: FL7716
Rating:3.5

Comments:
Poor judicial temperament; condescending and rude to lawyers and parties alike

Litigant

Comment #: FL7670
Rating:10.0

Comments:
Judge Alan Apte was very helpful in my custody dispute with my ex. He listened to everything I went through. He told my ex that he is required to support our children. He made me feel at ease and I will not lose my kids.

Litigant

Comment #: FL7662
Rating:1.0

Comments:
In my custody hearing he announced from the start that my ex had been writing letters to the court and he had, "Read every one of them." This was without my knowledge and it was never disclosed what was in the letters. The fact that my ex was court ordered for psych therapy, was on a list of psych drugs as long as my arm and had been jailed for domestic violence was, "Irrelevant." Won't let you speak. Won't let "almost adult children" have a voice. Very unfair. Very bias. Will make you want to crawl out of the courtroom after he strips your dignity from you. His mind was made up before the case began.

Litigant

Comment #: FL7661
Rating:1.0

Comments:
I agree with the comments of the other "1 star" reviewers. I was a domestic violence victim of 25 years before I finally got out. He oversaw one court case in regard to custody. Another Judge handled the rest of the case and she was very fair. If I even acted like I was going to open my mouth, Judge Apte shot me a look that could kill. He was bias toward my abusive ex. He ripped me to shreds also, as another commenter said. When I got home that day I wanted to commit suicide. I could never wear the clothes again that I wore that day because of the hurt and pain. Going through 25 years of domestic abuse was bad enough, but when I finally broke free, this judge made my struggle feel pointless. EVERY OTHER court personnel was friendly and empathetic. Not this man. Awful experience. I also saw a lot of male chauvanism in him.

Other

Comment #: FL7593
Rating:10.0

Comments:
Judge Alan Apte displayed a high degree of professionalism,conducted himself in a respectful manner, and was very fair in his ruling.

Litigant

Comment #: FL7592
Rating:10.0

Comments:
When no one would help me with my child visitation, Judge Alan Apte explained to me what my rights were from my parenting plan.

Litigant

Comment #: FL7589
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
Judge Apte is friendly and professional. When we appeared in his courtroom he made us feel at ease. After the hearing he made sure both sides understood what had transpired and if we had any questions. Even though we thought each side was entitled to certain things, case law and guidelines that have been set made us realize that his decision was fair to both of us.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: FL7588
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Mr. Apte is very rude and disingenuous. Since he’s the judge you don’t speak! God forbid you try and defend yourself with no legal counsel preset he will rip you to shreds.

Litigant

Comment #: FL7584
Rating:10.0

Comments:
This Judge is professional and knowledgeable. He treated both sides in my case with respect. Even though I was representing myself and my other half had an attorney, I was treated in a fair and equal manner as the attorney. Even though going to court can be a stressful experience Judge Apte was fair and made us feel comfortable and at ease.

Other

Comment #: FL7582
Rating:10.0

Comments:
Very fair judge. Listens to both sides before he makes a desicion! Unbiased and caring.

Litigant

Comment #: FL7576
Rating:10.0

Comments:
Judge Apte treats everyone fairly and with the utmost respect. He is very knowledgeable about the law and runs a tight ship. A true professional.

Other

Comment #: FL7353
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Worse judge EVER!!! Very racist and I know God is watching all his unfairly decisions! No child should be with told not to be with the MOTHER. Should not be a judge whatsoever!!!!!! Gets me sick to my stomach knowing there’s human beings like him making real important decisions for others

Litigant

Comment #: FL7053
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Worst Judge ever. He referred to me as the defendant at my own case as the petitioner to establish parental rights to my child. He made it very clear that he had been talking to and assisting the defendant prior to the hearing. He said I have NO RIGHTS to my son after establishing them 15 years ago. He threatened to throw me in jail if I did not liquidate all my assets to pay him 10k in 60 days for child support on a case that was dismissed in another state 15 years prior, and demands I pay 60k in total. He totally disregarded anything me and my lawyer had to say about the mother violating my father's rights. He totally disregarded that the mother was recently placed on the central registry for child abuse for brutally beating a 6yr old daughter and losing that daughter forever. He is extremely biased towards women with total abandonment to facts or case history and REFUSES to hear ANYTHING. He ruined any chance I have at rescuing my son from a 4 convicted time child abuser that is a hardened criminal on many crimes.
All the other kids were rescued except mine, because of Judge Apte. Judge Alan Apte is a disgrace to family courts and families alike.

Litigant

Comment #: FL6855
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Has an obvious bias for women, does not allow presenting of evidence, and predicts his future rulings should I file other motions.

Litigant

Comment #: FL6802
Rating:1.0

Comments:
He has a condescending and passive-agressive demeanor, disregards the law and abuses his court. Don't go without a lawyer or court reporter as he will go unhinged. He should not be a judge given his bias and lack of professionalism. He's all over the place and makes derogatory / unethical statemens and does not care about the people involved. He should not be retained in the position once his six-year term expires on January 4, 2021

Other

Comment #: FL6759
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Let me start off by saying don’t even think that you are going to be heard without a lawyer. I went in to court with evidence on top of evidence and I was totally disregarded. I felt like one of the biggest reason why was because I didn’t have anyone representing me. My child’s father had a lawyer and they lied the whole session and this judge listen and laughed with them, but when it came to me he was mad, rude, and disrespectful. He tried to make me out to be a liar. I felt like no matter the question he asked me, he wouldn’t let me explain myself. I personally wasn’t mad at the outcome, but more upset on how I was treated. I have no doubt that they lawyer and judge knew each other. It was one of the worst experiences I ever had in my life. I heard about him, but I still went in with a positive attitude not believing everything I heard or read... You will need lots of prayer dealing with him. Peace and Love!!

Other

Comment #: FL6707
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
Judge Alan Apte is a disgrace to the public in which he aims to serve. His presence in the courtroom is rude and indescent. In my opinion, he lacks a soul. Judge Apte clearly demonstrates what is failing within the judicial system. This judge lacks integrity and a fairness that only can be summed up in a phrase of reckless without a cause. The day he is removed from practicing his science of systematically destroying lives without a clear regard for the law will be a day worth celebrating.

Other

Comment #: FL6480
Rating:1.0

Comments:
All I can say is this: In my opinion, if you are a non-attorney such as I was in my a divorce modification case, stay far away as possible from this judge. In my opinion, if you are a non-attorney representing yourself, Judge Apte does not even want you in his court room. In my opinion, he was completely disrespectful of me. It seemed to me he did not bother trying to understand my arguments. Ironically, it was a blessing in disguise for me. I was ready to fight my X in his court. But after my pre-trial encounter with the Judge, I completely changed my plan. Unless my X got everything in her counter petition, there was no way I wanted to ever step in his court room again. I had my X dead-to-rights on several lies in her responses to my modification petition; btw, her responses were under oath. After my blow-out with Judge Apte, I felt it would not matter if I proved every response of my X was a lie. I would still lose. Get whatever you can in mediation and walk away.

Other

Comment #: FL6409
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
Fair judge, goes by law and act very fairly. Make you feel comfortable in the court room and care about the kids best interest.

Other

Comment #: FL6330
Rating:1.0

Comments:
This judge not only is very unethical, making comments that are inappropriate in the courtroom but also disregards the facts and the law. I totally agree with Comment # FL6253 and the other bad reviews.

Other

Comment #: FL6253
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
For a judge to be an expert on false allegations when he did 30 days in county jail in 2005 himself he is a disgrace to the judicial branch. Instead of hearing the facts of a case and going to trial to find out the real truth of a case he looks over to a lawyer and knows the lawyer and favors that lawyer even if that lawyer is representing Jeffry Dahmer he makes a decision based on knowing that lawyer. Judges need a place to go after retirement and it is well known that this lawyer hires all of them once they are off the bench so get ready to lose your life when Apte likes the other lawyer and it can be any lawyer, as long as Apte is friend's with him/her.

Other

Comment #: FL6025
Rating:1.0

Comments:
He made false claims accused both the defendants attorney and the prosecutor of lying about a meeting in his chambers. destroyed the life of a young man after he cooperated with the court on Aptes assurance of revisiting his sentence. He has an ego that has to be massaged and stroked. Needs to learn a bit of compassion.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: FL3845
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
In Judge Apts case I would like to add he is extremely misinformed. The sheriff told me I was NOT allowed to change the locks, or put the belongings of the violator out on the lawn and I was supposed to tell the violator that he was going to be served. THE SHERIFF DEPT SAID APT WAS WRONG WRONG WRONG!!!

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: FL3844
Rating:1.5

Comments:
It is a sad day in court when a judge ( Apte) feels it is more important to talk about a Cowboys football game with a man accused with domestic violation. The Petitioner and the witness to the violence were basically ,ignored, scoffed at and treated extremely unfairly. After researching Apte's record it seems like he might need to find another occupation.

Litigant

Comment #: FL3836
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
Completely disreguard the law. Ignored the obvious statutes and caselaw. Tricky because he acted like he was going to rule fairly and then out of nowhere he forgot he "had a pair" and ruled in favor of thebwoman the had just (self admittedly) lied for three days on just about everything. Wow! Horrible person and judge!

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: FL1616
Rating:9.2

Comments:
Casual yet proper demeanor. Very intelligent.

Prosecutor

Comment #: FL1510
Rating:8.8

Comments:
Very knowledgeable and astute. Judge Apte knows the law and knows how to get to the core of the matter at hand. He doesn't let either party play games and won't put up with any nonsense, from either attorneys or defendants. Judge Apte keeps the chaotic juvenile system working as best as the 9th Circuit Administrative Rules will allow him to.

Prosecutor

Comment #: FL1036
Rating:2.1

Comments:
He should not be a judge.

Other

Comment #: FL307
Rating:1.0

Comments:
This judge has demonstrated his ability to destroy the lives of a family. He stated that a law applied and even went so far as to say there was case law to support his ruling. However, the law had only been in effect for three months, and after many paid hours of research he was found to be mistaken - only to have devastated two children with one heartless act.