"The Robing Room: CA State Judges

Hon. Sarah H. Heckman	See Rating Details
Judge Superior Court
Sutter County	See Comments

Attorney Average Rating: 1.8 - 3 rating(s) Non-Attorney Average Rating: 1.0 - 16 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. Sarah H. Heckman

Comments

Other

Comment #: CA46704
Rating:1.0

Comments:
This judge doesn’t not listen to the female party, she is very biased and gives the male party what they want. She will not read anything a female party files, but will read what the male party files. She needs to be removed from the bench. When my ex and I got divorced, she gave him everything and full custody of my child, I was a stay at home mom and because I would quit my part time job he kicked me out, married 10 years and she said I didn’t need alimony. He makes over $130,000 a year and I make $28,000. She refuses to listen to the women in any case and I’ve seen her do it to every woman that came in there. I can’t believe she’s still there

Other

Comment #: CA32299
Rating:8.0

Comments:
I respect the Honorable Sarah H. Heckman. Her job is not to make friends but to make judgments. She has a strong backbone and adheres to the law and constitution.

Other

Comment #: CA32083
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
Their was some recent talk that a Governor Newsom will handle her with no problem! I think a Governor Newsom will handled by Judge Heckman ... she's not going to take any of his controlling ways or buy himself out !

Litigant

Comment #: CA28295
Rating:1.0

Comments:
I have sat in her court room for over six years watching her. She needs to be removed. She petulant, arbitrary and a disgrace to the robe. Justice is not served under her watch. I have seen her act mockingly toward handicapped people, I have seen her racial assumptions, and it’s not that she is biased against men or women, it’s that she won’t accept the facts of a case and decides that what she “feels” to use her own words, is correct. She will deny people their day in court if she has decided the case before it is tried. Worst judge to date that I have seen.

Other

Comment #: CA15506
Rating:1.0

Comments:
I was fighting a two year long battle an even tho i proved my worthiness did everything she had asked me to do while pregnant she still gave full custody to my ex husband, he would miss court dates, not show for mediation an time after time she would give him chances. I wasnt notified about the last court date an because of that she signed full custody to him.I haven't seen my son in over a year. So yes worse judge ever!! Should not be a judge!!!!

Other

Comment #: CA14526
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Favors men! Doesn’t give woman a chance to speak!!!! I had a lawyer & presented my evidence along with a witness and I proved my daughters dad was very unfit yet she chose to give him the chance to have unsupervised visits and overnight stays. She doesn’t need to be a judge she needs to be out of office she’s very biased and is super nice to males but when I try to speak she yelled at me in front of everybody and made me feel stupid I hope you voted out of office you don’t deserve to be a judge. You care more for your own opinion in the best interest of the child

Litigant

Comment #: CA13870
Rating:1.0

Comments:
My exhusband flipped me off in court, hasn't had kids overnight since 7/2016, daughter locks herself in the room when he comes over, he is granted 1, 3, 5 weekends of the month, I was at a stay at home mom, per his request, he makes 130K, married for 14 years, I just went back to work making $15 an hour she tells me I have til January to make $4000 a month (which i made 15 years ago, and took 13 years to make...Im not marketable at that rate anymore) I am awarded spousal support at $1200 a month, child support at $2300 he is awarded the house, proceeds and all assets, She told me I was a bad mom and lazy. Our children are 12 and 15, they can decide if they want to see their father. He had the affair, he decided the family wasnt worth working for, he walked away...and she gave him everything. My ex and her family have long history, I did withhold saying I was okay with her being the judge, but that was never brought up

Other

Comment #: CA12509
Rating:1.0

Comments:
She is rude, unprepared, biased, and makes judgements based on her opinion rather than the facts. Our case has dragged on for over a year when it should have been decided in less than a month. I have never heard her express any concern for the child. We are at her mercy because we cannot request a change of judges. Every attorney we have consulted knows of her prejudice and inept behavior. So why can nothing be done??

Other

Comment #: CA12101
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Multiple visits to the court room with overseeing from a stand in judge who was reasonable then bounce back this judge that was beyond unreasonable. I have talked with other parents, lawyers and such no one has heard of the ruling she placed over my case.
Until I read these other reviews I thought it was just me. Rude, yelled at me, would't let me get a word in to argue what other parent accused! Was warned not to say anything negative about other party it would only reflect bad on me, after other party had accused many things of me and told own sob story full of lies. I couldn't even prove the lies.
Now we cannot even get case out of her court room because she has to allow for it and that will never happen until Sutter residence vote her out!

Other

Comment #: CA12094
Rating:1.0

Comments:
This person is a biased, verbose,self serving official. She is curt, disrespectful of most who come before her court. She is uninterested in any opinion or evidence contrary to hers. I have spent far too much time in this woman's court room and find it to be one of contempt for anyone but herself and her wants. A judge in family court is supposed to be working in the best interest of the children however she shows no interest in the needs or wants of said children. Her bias towards men is blatant! I was in the gallery waiting on my daughter's case to be heard and listened to 7 other cases all of which were found in favor of the males even with compelling evidence to the contrary. I can only hope when her term is up she is not allowed to hold this position any longer.

Other

Comment #: CA12051
Rating:1.0

Comments:
This judge is not only sub human but she is a bully to woman only. She awarded my druged out son in law custody of my grandchildren and my daughter has not seen her children since as per this idiot judge. He was awarded the family home to raise these children yet is permitted to rent it out while my daughter is homeless. He is allowed to commit fraud by cashing checks for his child who he and his family kicked out and refused to give her her belongingswhile including her school books while she's was a minor. This sub human won't let the unfortunate who can't afford a lawyer even speak without getting yelled at and made to feel like a dumbass. She is unprepared for doesn't act like she had even read the case. She should be ashamed of herself and I'm sure she is one of Satans minion. She is an ugly sub human and God don't like ugly. She needs to be checked.

Litigant

Comment #: CA11055
Rating:1.0

Comments:
In her court, you are not allowed to talk or explain any of the important points of your case. Everyone was terrified to speak. She was extremely rude, and narcissistic, liking to hear only her voice. I have never experienced anything like this, although i haven't been involved in court hearings much.

Other

Comment #: CA10471
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
Judge Sarah Heckman is NOT honorable nor Worthy. I have unfortunately have come into some form of contact with this judge twice weither it be with myself or a friend. In my experience she was uncourteous and in my opinion bias to white males in the court room. The dirty looks I received made me uncomfortable in very small. As though I had done something wrong in bringing someone to court for justice in a family matter. She is not a good person and is not what we need.

Other

Comment #: CA10470
Rating:1.0

Comments:
This woman has absolutely no business wearing the robe or being in a courtroom! She's incredibly rude and hateful. She discriminates and contradicts herself. The most unprofessional judge I've ever come into contact with. I don't understand how such a person became a judge. How can you look at a person going through whatever it may be while in your court room with such discussed in judgment without even hearing them out first. I was felt betrayed by my judicial system when I was put in front of this judge. This person is supposed to represent our County and she is one of the most ugly person I've ever been around. Her manner on the bench is of a careless soul. She wouldn't even let me finish my sentence let alone give her my evidence and proof of incidents Brought at hand. I had police reports, surveillance pictures, physical evidence none of which she let me present. The danger of my family and myself was imminent. After being fed up with the whole case because it wasn't going in the direction she wanted ( which was in my favor) she stormed out of the court room like a small child to her chamber slamming the door ultimately not finding in my favorite though I had everything needed and had provided. The uncertainty of my families safety was sealed because of this woman. And she made that decision so easily without the blink of an eye or a care in the world. And as a matter of factly seemed annoyed that I had even asked her for such a thing as fairness. I hope and pray everyday that this woman is taken off the bench!

Other

Comment #: CA9827
Rating:1.0

Comments:
This "judge" disregarded the FACTS, expert testimony, eye witnesses and honest testimony in reaching her decision. Instead she sided with the individual whom was repeatedly caught being dishonest and deceptive to the court. What has happened to the "justice system" in this country when a judge is allowed to base her judgment on personal feelings and disregards facts and overwhelming evidence?

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA8921
Rating:2.5

Comments:
Extremely unprofessional and discourteous to parties and counsel and very disrespectful. Judges before hearing all parties and shows extreme bias. Has a very bad temptement and should definitely not be a judge.

Other

Comment #: CA8614
Rating:1.0

Comments:
S.Heckman made several malapropos comment about counsel when they are out of court in front of opposing counsel. She was not prepared and grossly unorganized. Does not listen. Flagrant bias

Other

Comment #: CA8377
Rating:1.0

Comments:
She is biased, disrespectful, ignorant and makes decisions based on her personal opinions rather than the basis of the facts and the law. She has her own personal agenda. She drug out for almost three years what should have been resolved in less than one day! She demonstrated 5th grade antics and is unprofessional! She drug out what another judge said should have been thrown out the first day for three years! How she is allowed to remain a judge is a mystery!!

Other

Comment #: CA8140
Rating:1.0

Comments:
This judge has got to be the worst judge I have ever encountered. She rewards a bad parent by giving the good parent the same treatment to be "fair". I'm not sure if she's scared or too lazy to make decisions. I wish there was a way to get this case out of her courtroom. How she manages to stay a judge is beyond me.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA6303
Rating:1.3

Comments:
"No Perry Mason moments in this court". She needs to listen more instead of always trying to be heard. Read the briefs and just make a decision. I was in her court every month for a custody dispute for over 1 year. Spend $85k on attorney fees n custody evaluations n she wouldn't ever make a decision (she doesn't like trials because it forces her to make a decision). She needs to focus on the facts of the case, not her personal bias opinion. If your in her court, request another judge... I was eventually able to transfer the case to Butte county (wasn't easy), judge [Mcnellis] read the briefs and made a decision first appearance. He couldn't believe this sat in her court for 1 year and 17 appearances.

Other

Comment #: CA5068
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
Not a good judge. She is un able to make clear decision. She dose not even finish the ruling. Leaving things out wants parents they do what to do child sup. She trays and makes them. I have set through her court room many times. Let's the women get away with everything. Will no hold the accountable for nothing. One mom got away with working 12 hours a week and making that dad pay her alimony when she didn't even ask for it. And won't let the dad be with his kids. Cause mom made up lies. judge even count her in the lie. She is ruining lives. Yelled at a lady in the crowd for shaking her hair on disbelief she should not have the right to make decisions.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: CA4763
Rating:1.6

Comments:
This judge never starts on time. She cannot handle a calendar on her own. She has to have the bailiff pull files for her. It is apparent that she either takes the bench without reading the files, or that she does not take notes, or is unable to remember the facts of the case that is in front of her. She is unprepared and seems overwhelmed. She also appears to be biased and unable to make a decision. She is always referring people back to mediation to see if they can "resolve" their family law case.