San Diego County Superior Court
Career Highlights: Retained by election to a full six-year term, San Diego County Superior Court, June 2014; appointed by Gov. Jerry Brown to the San Diego County Superior Court, May 2013; deputy public defender, San Diego County; 1985-2013; deputy public defender, Los Angeles County, 1978-85; associate, Golden & Martin, San Diego, 1976-78
Law School: University of San Diego School of Law, 1976
Career Highlights: Retained by election to a full six-year term, San Diego County Superior Court, June 2014; appointed by Gov. Jerry Brown to the San Diego County Superior Court, May 2013; deputy public defender, San Diego County; 1985-2013; deputy public defender, Los Angeles County, 1978-85; associate, Golden & Martin, San Diego, 1976-78
Law School: University of San Diego School of Law, 1976
CHULA VISTA -- Most of the felony cases that come before San Diego County Superior Court Judge Michael J. Popkins end with an agreement.
Getting there is where Popkins comes in.
Prosecutors and defense attorneys bring their cases into his chambers, where the prosecutor describes the facts and makes an offer. Sometimes the defense accepts. Sometimes it counters.
And sometimes Popkins weighs in.
"I may nudge the one side," he said. &q... (continued)
