"The Robing Room: CA State Judges

Hon. Timothy R. Volkmann	See Rating Details
Judge Superior Court
Santa Cruz County	See Comments

Attorney Average Rating: 2.9 - 22 rating(s) Non-Attorney Average Rating: 2.0 - 13 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. Timothy R. Volkmann

Comments

Litigant

Comment #: CA53472
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Timmy retires on May 1, 2024. His last day was March 29th. I am very happy this foul stain on the judiciary is gone. If you were ever in his courtroom, you know he is a child in a man's body. He was unfit to serve on the bench.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: CA53039
Rating:1.0

Comments:
TWO WORDS. UTTERLY DISGRACEFUL.

Other

Comment #: CA53038
Rating:1.0

Comments:
CORRECTION! MY COMMENT IS DIRECTED TO CA53007. CA53033 IS SPOT ON!!
HEY CA53007.
AS OUTDATED & YET NOVEL AS IT MIGHT BE, I AM STILL KINDA A FAN OF EVIDENCE.
SPEAK UP. WHAT'S THE CASE # OF THIS "COMPLEX CASE"? ALLOW US TO SEE HOW TIMOTHY V SHINES. COUTROOM DEMEANOR? NARCISSISTS ARE THE BEST SHOWMEN,ESPECIALLY IN A COURTROOM WHEN THEY ARE THE CENTER OF FOCUS & GRABBING ALL THE ATTENTION.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: CA53033
Rating:1.0

Comments:
The reviews of this judge is a serious subject, as another has already said Santa Cruz Community has a problem it being this judge. The previous review clearly was drafted by this judge himself. The truth usually hurts when it’s negative about a negative person. I think it’s important to point out many of the reviews are from individuals who just observed the judge and had no dog in the fight, this being the opposite of what the judge clams in that sorry cry for help positive review he wrote. Hopefully some citizens will start a petition to remove this terrible stain on Santa Cruzs reputation.

Other

Comment #: CA53007
Rating:10.0

Comments:
I have observed this judge presiding over a very complex civil case. I am so impressed with his courtroom demeanor, fairness to both sides, and clarity explaining his every decision during the lengthy trial. I do not know the outcome but I trust him completely. The people complaining about him clearly lost cases. I have always been an excellent judge of character. I do not believe their rants for a moment.

Litigant

Comment #: CA52808
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
I believe after reading the comments and hearing friends tell me about this judge, that a petition to have him removed permanently from the bench is needed. you only need 35 signatures from registered voters in the area to remove a judge. I've witnessed this twice here in CA. this judge needs to be removed and away from his cronies and severe prejudicial rulings.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: CA52602
Rating:1.0

Comments:
THE WORST, SHOULD BE REMOVED. I HAVE LOOKED OVER THE VAST NUMBER OF CRITICAL REVIEWS HERE, AND THEY ARE ALL CORRECT, THIS JUDGE IS A BLOT ON SANTA CRUZ COUNTY.

Litigant

Comment #: CA52275
Rating:1.0

Comments:
This Judge is just terrible. With undisputable facts he sides with his cronies. Tells you his ruling before he hears the facts. Facts are what his decision should be based. Not with this smug,out of touch Judge. If he is your Judge try to have your case rescheduled. Please challenge him and get him removed.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA52210
Rating:1.0

Comments:
This judge is simply TERRIBLE !
All these reviews say it all about is abuse of a position of authority!
My gosh, you would think he would take a long hard look into his actions and make some changes, he must be reading these reviews.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA51397
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Clearly plaintiff oriented. Never reads the papers. Tentative rulings are worthless garbage. He never changes his mind at oral argument. His rulings are so wrong they hurt the soul. Challenge him!

Litigant

Comment #: CA49340
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
To the 30-year Santa Cruz attorney, who gave Tim V. an A+, 10-star rating (see comments of August 22, 2023) and who reduced all the people who posted negative comments as disgruntled litigants who lost their case:

You have found favor with Tim V. The next time you are in his courtroom, and you file a motion, insert into your memorandum that the grounds or authority for your motion is: "Mary had a little lamb whose fleece was white as snow. And everywhere that Mary went, the lamb was sure to go." It doesn't matter what kind of motion or application or oppsition you submit.

You will see, in his tentative ruling, which will be in your favor, that he will copy and paste the nursery rhyme into his support for you as the prevailing party.

In Tim V.'s courtroom it is about people, personalities and favoritism, which he has bestowed upon you. The facts and the law are bent, contorted, ignored or manipulated to fit his predetermined outcome.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA49243
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Sat in the courtroom as this judge amazed almost all present with his bold and bizarre rulings. The only ones present that did not seem alarmed was the bailiff and court staff. The judge should not be in the honorable position he is titled with, should be where he would be harmless to others.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: CA49119
Rating:1.0

Comments:
I just read the prior positive review of this poor excuse for a judge. It’s very sad, very sad that the attorney who wrote the review has demonstrated their compromised ethics. That author is well aware that it’s common knowledge that this judge does not belong on any bench, well maybe a park bench.
I wonder why the judge does not get the hint that the public is on to him and start to change his ways, redemption is not too late. The judge is aware of his reviews and is moved not in a direction of correcting his ways, but asking his staff and attorneys friends to write positive reviews. I’m sure we will see in the future like the two recently, ingenious flowery fake reviews. SAD SAD

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA48941
Rating:10.0

Comments:
I'm a 30+ year attorney, all of them in Santa Cruz County. Tim Volkmann was an A+ attorney, and Judge Volkmann is an A+ judge (the best of our 16 judges in Santa Cruz - there's other very good judges, but Judge Volkmann is the best of all).
There's only 2 judges assigned to Civil and Probate at a time, and judges cycle in and out of Civil every few years. Civil court is always best when Judge Volkmann is there.
He is a talented settlement (judicial mediation) judge, having been a civil attorney and mediator during his pre-judge career. He operates his courtroom with respect to all.
In civil law and motion, you don't always win (no one does), but when on the losing end, the decisions are well reasoned even if you're disappointed in the result.
Another commenter stated Judge Volkmann belongs on the Court of Appeal - that's true, he's very talented. For selfish reasons I hope Judge Volkmann remains in Santa Cruz Court because our local court is best when he's on it; but if he's elevated to Court of Appeals I'll celebrate it.
I stumbled on this website when doing internet search for a different (non-Santa Cruz) judge. The low reviews are wrong; reading them, I conclude they're retribution (bitterness) for having lost in Judge Volkmann's courtroom. Hopefully this accurate review raises Judge Volkmann's batting average on this website (though doubtful he cares about his batting average).

Other

Comment #: CA48908
Rating:1.0

Comments:
This man is a bully. Takes advantage of the fact that he is in a position of power to strike down on people who are disabled. He is a terrible judge and I never realized that a judge could tell someone that they had no rights. Good thing he is almost done serving his time because a person like this should not be in this type of position. He seemed to enjoy knowing that he had all the power and could tell me that I had no rights…. Until this day hearing that from a person of his status is a scary thing. He said this to someone who was disabled and simply happen to be getting evicted. He’s a terrible man terrible!!!!

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA48560
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
My gosh this man is scary, I don’t understand how someone like this is able to achieve this position!
I spent a couple of afternoons in the courtroom and personally viewed his job performance, scary.

Litigant

Comment #: CA47589
Rating:1.0

Comments:
I was a witness for a plaintiff in this judges court room, and I might add, the plaintiff won the case.

BUT I saw firsthand how this terrible individual who calls himself a judge operates. No regard or respect for anyone in the courtroom and uses his strange bias to control the courts outcome. He smiles and seems at first like a civil nice individual, then he turns like a flash into a dark dangerous beast.
I felt sorry for the defendant who received less than justice.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA44578
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
Santa Cruz you got a big problem, and it’s this man!
I can not believe an individual like this is a judge, I sat in this court room for a day working a story on the Judicial in Santa Cruz, and I came away deeply disturbed after witnessing his actions, very disturbing!

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA43114
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
I was in front of this man as a plaintiff, and I won my case, BUT in the way he handled the defendant it was horrible, it made me want to ask fir a reversal of my case win. No equity or justice with this man. He should not be sitting in a position to effect people’s lives.

Civil Litigation - Govt.

Comment #: CA42748
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
one word describes this Volkmann: TERRIBLE

Litigant

Comment #: CA41571
Rating:1.0

Comments:
I read these reviews before I had my experiences with this Judge, Timothy Volkmann, and was worried but let him carve my opinion of him...now that I have experienced his work ethic...THESE DESCRIPTIONS, THE NEGATIVE ONE'S, ARE 100% ACCURATE...every single one that's negative.

His positive comments are posted by himself because you can catch his use of Legal Language blowing his cover...no actual person would speak of a judge like he's infallible and recommend him get a promotion, conflict of interest???. What a low life...

He gives zero consideration about anything you present him, he sides with his Cronies against the People of the United States which he's meant to serve. He undermines the Judicial System to serve his Cronies which has brought harm and injustice to many people. He has made me lose faith in the entire justice system, which part of a judges job description is to bring about confidence in the judicial system for the People, look it up...

It is of utmost importance for people in these positions of power to be screened with such scrutiny to ensure they don't go on their own tangent with the power to dictate law for the People. He's in no way a Judge, in fact, you might as well just let the opposing attorney just dictate what's going to happen in the case while you just accept it because that's all he's there doing.

[redacted by Editor].

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA41546
Rating:1.3

Comments:
In the review just before this review it is said so eloquently and precisely and displays how terrible and ill fitted this judge is to be on the bench. This judge has failed to honor his oath of office and is blatant in his abuse of office.

Litigant

Comment #: CA41424
Rating:1.0

Comments:
If you are a self-represented litigant, and you are up against a represented party, please file an application to disqualify Tim Volkmann. He will copy & paste everything the represented side advocates in his tentative rulings and ignore everything the unrepresented side offers. He will sustain the demurrer, grant the motion to strike, rule in favor of the opposition's motion for summary judgment or, ultimately, grant judgment in favor of the represented party and against the unrepresented party. The facts and the law have no bearing on your case in his courtroom.

(Please note, though he displays courteousness, patience, good temperament and respect to all parties, he has pre-judged, or pre-determined that the unrepresented party has lost his or her case, or put another way, he will not allow a represented party to lose, irrespective of the facts or the law.)

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: CA41161
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
Terrible person, should be removed from the bench. This person is so obvious in his bias, it seems his power is run a-mock through a less than balanced mind. It’s amazing to sit in this court room and see the displayed bad behavior he displays.

Other

Comment #: CA40569
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Why pick a jury? Why go to trial?! Why waste the taxpayer's money?! This judge already considered the defendant guilty. He favored the district attorney every time. I would think he would recommend sense, at least, but nope. I would think he would mix it up a little so he wouldn't have looked like he was favoring the D.A, but nope it was obvious what he thought while he sat there rolling his eyes every time the defense attorney stood up. In my opinion, all the cases this judge ruled on should be thrown out.

Other

Comment #: CA40523
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
Since many laws have changed since my dear friend trail. My friend is able to get a new trail but this horrible judge straight refused. The trail was unfair and my friend deserves a new one to outright just refuse is indecent and cruel. I give this awful judge a rating of -0. It’s to bad that what the public thinks of him does not matter to anyone when it’s us that he is judging.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: CA39398
Rating:1.0

Comments:
This guy doesn’t actually care about what is actually correct. The fact that he would make a disabled person homeless says a lot about him. Horrible.

Other

Comment #: CA39397
Rating:1.0

Comments:
By far the worst judge in the county. He sided with my landlord and now my disabled sister and I are about to lose our homes. He didn’t look at facts and didn’t care. I have lost all respect for the judicial system thanks to this guy.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA37158
Rating:1.0

Comments:
It seems there are a overwhelming amount of negative reviews of this judge and I can confirm his actions are dubious, I was in his courtroom for a good amount of time and witnessed behavior from him that was alarming at best.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA36749
Rating:9.9

Comments:
I have appeared before a wide variety of judges in well over a dozen counties handling both simple and complex litigation. Judge Volkmann is a stellar example of a Judge with one of the best judicial temperaments that I have ever encountered. He is diligent, attentive, compassionate, efficient, creative, intelligent and unlike so many judges, a true public servant. I have found him to be consistently respectful and more than a little patient in most instances. I suspect a majority of the negative reviews of Judge Volkmann here on the Robing Room are from private litigants with a muddled view of "black letter law." No one is perfect, but few judges, let alone intelligent ones, respect litigants during the administration of process as much as Judge Volkmann.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA35790
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Like a car salesman, very polite and nice but watch out because you are about to be taken advantage of. Unfair rulings with a disregard for both the law and logic.

Other

Comment #: CA35620
Rating:1.0

Comments:
He found me guilty of a crime I did not commit .

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA35412
Rating:1.0

Comments:
The very few positive reviews on this guy are being posted by himself, it must hurt to know how the public disrespect him, but he has earned the dislike.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA35411
Rating:1.1

Comments:
Bad judge!!
He defies the facts.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA32220
Rating:9.4

Comments:
I do not know who is posting the negative comments. Judge Volkmann is one of the best judge's before whom I have appeared. He should be on the Court of Appeals.

Other

Comment #: CA31248
Rating:4.0

Comments:
Very bias and condericting. He says one thing and then he will switch Up on you. Very clique and seems to be on a ego trip and thinks he's above the law and they don't applied in his court room. He likes his job as pupetmaster over people's lives alittle to much and loves to ripe families apart. He doesn't judge by the edivence he just goes by what ever he feels

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: CA27889
Rating:1.0

Comments:
With a friendly smile and a polite comment he will make a judgement completely contrary to established law, and leaves all of his audience to wonder if he is a well person or maybe just inflicted with the disease of a judge with bias.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: CA16835
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Something is terribly wrong about this man. Not only creepy, but he reminds me of someone that is not to be trusted. This man reminds one of what we have read about in history books, those connected and less than honest judges from 1930s Chicago.

Other

Comment #: CA13896
Rating:9.0

Comments:
This judge is doing well. He should continue to show concern for the defense and mercy for the people. A bit conservative however, respect this guy.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA12137
Rating:2.6

Comments:
This judge will, with a big smile, and pleasant words, he will hand down judgments that defie reason or law, and its obvious he is motivated by pressures and/or impulses that are driven by his own needs. An observer wonders how he consistently gets away with this bad behavior.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA12052
Rating:1.5

Comments:
This individual should not be in the capacity as a Honorable Judge. He makes his decisions on the bench with seffish self interest as a motivator, I personally witnessed him do a “favor” for a personal friend with a friendly verdict that was blatantly biased......it was against all testimony and evidence including written and signed admissions of guilt from his friend. The judge openly admitted in court knowing his friend, calling him my personal friend.

This Judge has also dishonorably ruled against rules of established laws in cases concerning the maintenance of peace and civility on many occasions concerning support of Santa Cruz Police Officers in their duties serving the public.

At some point he will be recognized as the blight on the bench in Santa Cruz county.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA7178
Rating:6.8

Comments:
A very nice man, but definitely on the defense end. He will ignore black letter law to assure the defense gets a break, but he will do it very nicely with a smile on his face.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA4332
Rating:8.6

Comments:
A bright and shining light in an otherwise dark and dismal landscape.