"The Robing Room: CA State Judges

Hon. Christopher R. Bowen	See Rating Details
Judge Superior Court
Contra Costa County	See Comments

Attorney Average Rating: 2.5 - 5 rating(s) Non-Attorney Average Rating: 2.0 - 8 rating(s)	Please send me alerts on this judge E-mail Address:

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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. Christopher R. Bowen

Comments

Other

Comment #: CA24145
Rating:10.0

Comments:
Judge Bowen is a testament to what a public servant should be. He was articulate and keenly aware of everything both spoken and unspoken. He’s efficient and matter of fact yet also poses concern for the cases on his load. Unlike the presumptuous and smarmy tool that is Laettner. Do I even have to put him in the realm of a judge? Isn’t he gone yet? Isn’t the whole “looking women up and down” to judge them over in the professional world over?? Probably not. But if we must use that as a way of making “equitable decisions” let us put Laettner up their to be viewed over like a piece of meat. If we go by those standards he won’t make it....not by long shot!!!

Other

Comment #: CA13141
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Should not be ruling on cases involving children.

Litigant

Comment #: CA12575
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Doesn’t follow the law. Very mentally unstable.

Other

Comment #: CA10986
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Trial and hearings. when the witness tell the truth on the stand that will set the Defendant Free. Judge will not log the witness testimony in to record.
He does not like recorders in his court.
Judge does NOT put DUE Process in place before ruling. And allows 3rd party to make Recommendations. LMFT, MFT are suppose to be under Confidentially they are License by Behavioral Science..
And doesn't follow law Code of Evidence 1115,1121,& 1118 CA and Constitution of the US. UCS 42 and allows Double Dipping in income statements. Will NOT correct Remedy after he has been proven wrong on his judgements Constitutional section 11. Court to be open: Rights and Justice without sale, denial, or Delay. and BIAS. We the People Demand a AUDIT on all his files!!!
Before more lifes are Deprived Liberty.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA10772
Rating:5.6

Comments:
Horrible judicial temperament toward lawyers.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: CA10593
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Shockingly unprofessional and childish behavior. Bowen uses the courtroom as though it were his own kingdom where he sadistically plays with people's lives. Bowen does not review evidence, makes subjective decisions from the get go and displays obvious discrimination against women. Absolutely deplorable and mentally unstable.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: CA10213
Rating:1.1

Comments:
Bowen's behavior as a Superior Court Judge is deplorable. As a professional, I have never observed such arrogance, lack of self-control, theatrics and obvious bias. Bowen is unfit, period

Litigant

Comment #: CA10211
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Judge Bowen behaves in a manner that is egregious, bias and unprofessional, demonstrated primarily by his lack of self-control and obvious disdain for women. Bowen is dramatic, histrionic, rude and intimidating to courtroom staff and attorneys, not to mention petitioners and respondents. Bowen is biased and makes decisions prior to hearing testimony or reviewing evidence. I have overheard several attorneys comment on his frequent tantrums and abuse of power. It is quite obvious that he does not like women and the results of Bowen's lack of professional conduct and thoughtful decision making has devastated, if not ruined, the lives of many innocent people (adults and children alike). As a mental health professional, and observer in the courtroom, it is clear that Bowen is unfit and is in need of a complete psychological evaluation before he can continue to cause harm and abuse his power against women. Bowen conducts his courtroom very much like the Mad Hatter in Alice In Wonderland - it is absolutely atrocious and this injustice needs to be stopped!

Other

Comment #: CA10189
Rating:1.0

Comments:
This judge will not even let counsel make full argument. He will not let Pro Per's speak in his courtroom at all. He has a terrible temper, does not conduct a professional courtroom and cannot be counted on for fair rulings.

Other

Comment #: CA9607
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
I've been in front of judge Bowen on at least four occasions and have been denied even supervised visitation each time. My son's mother's brother is a member of the bar association as is judge Bowen, that seems like a conflict of interest to me. Bowen allowed libelous, defamatory statements against me, even though I showed they were false. He allowed slander against me and allowed perjury from my son's mother and her attorney who both made false statements on sworn affidavits in violation on California state law. I filed an 18 page brief with cites and sources and he refused to even read them. Bowen has no concern what so ever in regards to the best interests of children, he only cares about his own interests and the interests of the barred attorneys he supports.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: CA6637
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
Judge Bowen did not require a well check, and will not give the address to the mom. He took the 2 year old daughter from mom who had custody of the child since birth. The father never wanted the child and wanted her to have an abortion. He gave custody to her without allowing her to say goodbye. The father showed up to the daughters schools with police. He has made false health checks. The father's sister in law works for Contra Costa County, and they are all in this together. We complained and during the case someone told him that we complained and he said that he would give full custody to father because of our complaints.

Other

Comment #: CA6635
Rating:1.0

Comments:
This judge gave one month custody to a father that is abusive, does drugs and carry a gun. He hates women and sides on the side of the father, even if they are sexual or physically abusive.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: CA6136
Rating:3.7

Comments:
Will see in January if Bowen will have the capability of seeing through an abusive -documented-lying--documented--court player who never wanted to be a full-time dad but now using children as pawns.

Litigant

Comment #: CA6097
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
I would suggest the poster on 10/24 read about Fannin. This whole court system is a complete JOKE. Evidence is not even read. Drug test results are not even factored into decisions!!
Lisa Radcliffe a top WC lawyer. Stacy Stevens will win. Pfeiffer Law? Good luck

Litigant

Comment #: CA5992
Rating:1.0

Comments:
I have now appeared before Judge Bowen twice, each time he has ruled against me. This time I filed an 18 page brief that he refused to even read, the respondent has made false statements under oath and committed libel against me yet the judge refuses to acknowledge that but will rule against me after rolling his eyes at me three times, as noted by eye witnesses. Even though I did everything the courts ordered I was still denied supervised visitation. The respondent had an attorney I did not and the mediators refused to accept documentation from me but accepted documentation from the mother which had not been filed with the courts and is possibly altered or a forgery based on evidence I submitted to the court which the unhonorable Bowen refused to even read. I received the mediators reports just 5 days before the court hearing, in that time I formulated an 18 page response, including evidence, and Bowen simply refused to read them. Apparently it is ok for the courts to give you documents late but can't extend you the same courtesy when it is your child and his life and his future at stake. The more research I do the more I find that I am certainly no exception to the abuse by this kangaroo court and this judge who orders a disabled veteran to pay 20% of his income for a frivolous drug test based on false accusations but wont order a mother to fill out a piece of paper so that our son can get benefits he is entitled to. He won't read what I submit but will read a bogus, biased mediators report and even rule in favor of the mediators report when the mediators office can not even follow its own rules and procedures. If anyone reads this please help, I feel like Elkins in Elkins vs Contra Costa Superior Courts and I need help. I am afraid my son is being abused I have stated this to mediators and in court documents and no one will take action to protect my son and if I do I will go to jail but all Bowen cares about is being right not doing what is in the best interest of your, or my, or any child.