- His May 7 nomination by Gov. Gavin Newsom to the 2nd District Court of Appeal, one of the busiest appellate benches in the state, is scheduled for expected confirmation on June 24 by the Commission on Judicial Appointments. "Being on the appellate court was never something I plotted out," he said. "When I started, I wanted to be a public defender or do civil rights work. That was the dream."
- Hanasono's resume spans the entire criminal process -- from misdemeanor arraignments to capital case post-conviction petitions. He's served as assistant supervising judge in general and limited jurisdiction courts, impaneled grand juries, shaped criminal division policy, and sat as an associate justice pro tem twice on the 2nd District court.
- The 2nd District consistently ranks among the busiest appellate courts in California, particularly in criminal appeals.
- "Some people may think certain arguments on appeal are a waste of time. But from the defense perspective, it's their job to raise those issues. You've got to address them." Anyway, Hanasono said he is used to a fast pace. "When I was sitting pro tem, it was intense," he recalled. "I'd work all day, take care of family in the evening, and then start reading and writing again at night--sometimes until 1 a.m. And then it would all start again the next morning at 4 or 5."
- "Every opinion we write is an opportunity to explain--not just decide. If our rulings aren't clear or accessible, they're not useful."
The DJ also has The Armenian Bar Association held its Annual Judges' Night -- Appointments Secretary Luis Céspedes, California Supreme Court Justice Josh Groban, and 2nd District Court of Appeal Justice Helen Zukin were recognized at the sold-out event. (Other appellatey names there included: Jenkins, Lui, Martinez, and Tamzarian)
Bloomberg Law has Justices Break on Appeal Deadlines Boost Pro Se Litigants -- The US Supreme Court made it easier for litigants to appeal after missing a formal deadline to do so, a benefit particularly for those representing themselves.