Judge Charles Margines (Retired): Comprehensive Profile - Analytics, Rulings, and Recent Cases

CA Bar #: 62007 (December 1974)

Appointed By: Gov. Peter Barton Wilson

Biography

Overview

The Hon. Charles Margines (Ret.) was a judge for the Orange County Superior Court in California. Margines was appointed to the Central Orange County Municipal Court by former Governor Pete Wilson on May 25, 1993, and was elevated to the Superior Court upon court unification on August 10, 1998[1]. He retired in 2021, becoming a neutral with JAMS[1].

While on the bench, Margines handled criminal, civil, and appellate calendars[1]. His assignments included the Felony Trial Panel, the Civil Panel, and the Appellate Division of the Orange County Superior Court, where he served as presiding judge from 2007 to 2008[1]. He later served as supervising judge of the Civil Panel from August 2012 to 2013, assistant presiding judge from 2014 to 2015, and presiding judge from 2016 to 2018[1]. In Nguyen-Lam v. Cao, he presided over a defamation action arising from allegations that led to the rescission of a school superintendent's appointment[2]. The Court of Appeal later affirmed the decision in a published opinion[2].

Educational background

Margines earned a B.A. in English from the University of California, Los Angeles, in 1970. At the University of California, Los Angeles School of Law, he completed a J.D. in 1974. While in law school, he served as an officer in the Moot Court Honors Program[1]. He was admitted to the State Bar of California (December 1974).

Career history

After graduating from law school, Margines began his legal career as a deputy public defender with the Office of the Orange County Public Defender in 1975. In 1976, he obtained a lifetime Community College Instructor Credential in Law from the California Community Colleges System[1]. He remained with the public defender's office until 1981. Following that role, he opened a private practice as a sole practitioner in Orange County, representing clients in criminal defense and personal injury matters from 1981 to 1993. In 1992, he was named a Certified Specialist in Criminal Law through the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization[1].

His professional memberships included the California Judges Association, the Federal Bar Association, the Orange County Bar Association, the Orange County Trial Lawyers Association, and the Peter M. Elliott Inn of Court[1]. He also co-chaired the Gender Equity Committee of the Orange County Bar Association and served on the executive board of the TODOS Hospital Support Group. His committee work included the Trial Court Presiding Judges Advisory Committee, the Trial Court Budget Advisory Committee and its Fiscal Planning Subcommittee, and the Judicial Advisory Board of the Orange County chapter of the Association of Business Trial Lawyers[1].

Personal life

Margines was born in Tel Aviv, Israel. He immigrated to the United States with his family in 1961. Outside the courtroom, he was married and had three sons. His recreations included jogging, cycling, and playing volleyball.

Margines is registered as a Republican.

References

[1] JAMS profile
[2] Daily Journal — Let Them Talk

Recent Rulings by Hon. Charles Margines

  • Jun 30, 2021 Orange County

    Appellant Guangleng Huaxu USA, Inc, dba Car Spa’s appeal from the decision of the Labor Commissioner is dismissed for failure to file the required bond.

    ...

  • Jun 30, 2021 Orange County

    The Demurrers by Defendant Romark Laboratories, LLC, dba “Romark Institute for Medical Research” are OVERRULED in part and SUSTAINED in part. (See Code Civ. Proc. § 430.10, subd. (e) and (f).)
    The Special Demurrers to the 1st-4th Causes of Action in Plaintiffs’ First Amended Complaint (“FAC”) are each O...

  • Jun 30, 2021 Orange County

    Defendant, Joanna T. Vogel’s motion to compel plaintiff, Angele Lasalle to further respond to request for production of document, set one and produce responsive documents thereto is DENIED in part and GRANTED in part as follows:
    Plaintiff is ordered to serve supplemental, verified responses to items 5, ...

  • Jun 30, 2021 Orange County

    Motion by Attorney Kring & Chung, LLP to Withdraw as Counsel of Record for Client Mak Wave, Inc. is:
    Ordered OFF CALENDAR as MOOT, as the entire action has been dismissed with prejudice by the court on 10/22/20.
    Moving Party to Give Notice.

    ...

  • Jun 30, 2021 Orange County

    Defendant Linda Clark’s (Clark) motion to dismiss plaintiff Precision Airparts Support Services, Inc.’s (PASS) action (Case No. 30-2018-01021840) is DENIED. (See Code Civ. Proc., §§ 583.410, subd. (a), 583.420, subd. (a)(2)(B); Cal. Rules of Court, rule 3.1342(e).)
    All of the relevant factors listed in ...

  • Jun 30, 2021 Orange County

    Plaintiff Abraham Mourshaki’s (hereinafter, plaintiff or Mourshaki) motion for reconsideration is DENIED.
    Plaintiff fails to “state by affidavit what application was made before, when and to what judge, what order or decisions were made, and what new or different facts, circumstances, or law are claimed...

  • Jun 30, 2021 Orange County

    Motion to Quash Service of Summons
    Specially appearing defendant Aman Parmar’s motion to quash service of summons on grounds of lack of personal jurisdiction is DENIED. (Code Civ. Proc., § 418.10 [authorizing motion to quash].)
    Plaintiffs have provided evidence sufficient to show specific jurisdictio...

  • Dec 11, 2013 Orange County

    The court rules as follows on the claims to surplus funds – On calendar is a hearing to determine the distribution of surplus funds deposited with the court after a non-judicial foreclosure. Facts/Overview: On September 27, 2013, The Wolf Firm filed a petition to deposit surplus proceeds of a trustee’s sal...

  • Dec 11, 2013 Judge Charles MARGINES |  Orange County

    The court rules as follows on the claims to surplus funds –
    On calendar is a hearing to determine the distribution of surplus funds deposited with the court after a non-judicial foreclosure.
    Facts/Overview:
    On September 27, 2013, The Wolf Firm filed a petition to deposit surplus proceeds of a trus...

  • Dec 11, 2013 Judge Charles MARGINES |  Orange County

    The court rules as follows on the application for an OSC –
    Plaintiff and Judgment Creditor REG Properties, LLC (“Plaintiff”) applies for an assignment order and restraining order to allow it to reach the rental property income of Defendant and Judgment Debtor William C. Ring (“Defendant”)’s spouse, in o...

  • Dec 11, 2013 Orange County

    The court rules as follows on the application for an OSC – Plaintiff and Judgment Creditor REG Properties, LLC (“Plaintiff”) applies for an assignment order and restraining order to allow it to reach the rental property income of Defendant and Judgment Debtor William C. Ring (“Defendant”)’s spouse, in orde...

  • Dec 11, 2013 Orange County

    This is the third time this petition for standing as a newspaper of general circulation has come before this Court. The first time was on 07/10/13 – at which time this court pointed out in a posted tentative ruling that the petition was fraught with procedural and substantive errors, requiring that it be s...

  • Dec 11, 2013 Judge Charles MARGINES |  Orange County

    This is the third time this petition for standing as a newspaper of general circulation has come before this Court.
    The first time was on 07/10/13 – at which time this court pointed out in a posted tentative ruling that the petition was fraught with procedural and substantive errors, requiring that it b...

  • Dec 11, 2013 Orange County

    The court rules as follows on the petition to compel arbitration – Petitioners Marcos and Luciana Costa seek an order compelling Respondents Fast Funds Financial, Inc., Jeffrey Allen Pittman, and David Wood to arbitration claims the Costas have against Respondents in connection with the purchase of a house...

  • Dec 11, 2013 Judge Charles MARGINES |  Orange County

    The court rules as follows on the petition to compel arbitration –
    Petitioners Marcos and Luciana Costa seek an order compelling Respondents Fast Funds Financial, Inc., Jeffrey Allen Pittman, and David Wood to arbitration claims the Costas have against Respondents in connection with the purchase of a ho...

  • Dec 11, 2013 Orange County

    The court rules as follows on the unopposed motion to compel responses to discovery – Facts/Overview: This is a forfeiture action involving $504.00, which the Claimant, Raymond Stuart Martin, contends to be unrelated to criminal conduct. The funds were seized by officers of the Anaheim Police Department du...

  • Dec 11, 2013 Judge Charles MARGINES |  Orange County

    The court rules as follows on the unopposed motion to compel responses to discovery –
    Facts/Overview:
    This is a forfeiture action involving $504.00, which the Claimant, Raymond Stuart Martin, contends to be unrelated to criminal conduct. The funds were seized by officers of the Anaheim Police Departm...

  • Dec 11, 2013 Judge Charles MARGINES |  Orange County

    The court rules as follows on the unopposed motion to compel responses to discovery –
    Facts/Overview:
    This is a civil forfeiture action.
    According to the petition, on 03/26/13 officers from the Anaheim Police Department served a search warrant on the home of Claimant Royal Ryan Baker. During the s...

  • Dec 11, 2013 Judge Charles MARGINES |  Orange County

    The court rules as follows on the unopposed motion to compel responses to interrogatories –
    Petitioner, The People of the State of California, seeks an order compelling Claimant Richard Garza, Jr. to respond, without objections or by production of documents under Code Civ. Proc. § 2030.210(a)(2), to spe...

  • Dec 11, 2013 Orange County

    The court rules as follows on the receiver’s motion for increase of receiver’s certificate – This a receiver’s application to (1) increase his existing certificate authority from $15,000 to $220,000, and (2) give the receiver’s statutory and equitable lien “super-priority” status. With regard to the increa...

  • Dec 11, 2013 Judge Charles MARGINES |  Orange County

    The court rules as follows on the petition for order to abate substandard building –
    Petitioner City of Costa Mesa petitions for an order to abate substandard building, appointment of receiver and requiring reimbursements.
    Facts/Overview:
    On August 2, 2013, Petitioner City of Costa Mesa filed a pe...

  • Dec 11, 2013 Orange County

    The court rules as follows on the petition for order to abate substandard building – Petitioner City of Costa Mesa petitions for an order to abate substandard building, appointment of receiver and requiring reimbursements. Facts/Overview: On August 2, 2013, Petitioner City of Costa Mesa filed a petition fo...

  • Dec 11, 2013 Orange County

    The court rules as follows on the unopposed amended petition to confirm arbitration award – Facts/Overview: On or about 08/17/12, Respondents Ronni Chowdry and Atlas Aviation, LLC retained the law offices of Enterprise Counsel Group to represents their interests in two Los Angeles federal court cases. Peti...

  • Dec 11, 2013 Orange County

    The court rules as follows on the unopposed motion to compel responses to discovery – Facts/Overview: This is a civil forfeiture action. According to the petition, on 03/26/13 officers from the Anaheim Police Department served a search warrant on the home of Claimant Royal Ryan Baker. During the search, of...

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Recent Cases by Hon. Charles Margines

On May 10, 2021 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Orange County. Judge Charles Margines presiding.

Filed

May 10, 2021

Judge

Hon. Charles Margines Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Charles Margines

Court

Orange County

County

Orange County, CA

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Automobile

Case Last Refreshed

Aug 09, 2023

On April 30, 2021 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Orange County. Judge Charles Margines presiding.

Filed

Apr 30, 2021

Judge

Hon. Charles Margines Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Charles Margines

Court

Orange County

County

Orange County, CA

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Automobile

Case Last Refreshed

May 04, 2023

On April 28, 2021 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Orange County. Judge Charles Margines presiding.

Filed

Apr 28, 2021

Judge

Hon. Charles Margines Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Charles Margines

Court

Orange County

County

Orange County, CA

Practice Area

Insurance

Matter Type

Insurance Coverage

Case Last Refreshed

May 04, 2023

On April 28, 2021 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Orange County. Judge Charles Margines presiding.

Filed

Apr 28, 2021

Judge

Hon. Charles Margines Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Charles Margines

Court

Orange County

County

Orange County, CA

Practice Area

Property

Matter Type

General Property

Case Last Refreshed

Aug 07, 2023

On April 21, 2021 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Orange County. Judge Charles Margines presiding.

Filed

Apr 21, 2021

Judge

Hon. Charles Margines Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Charles Margines

Court

Orange County

County

Orange County, CA

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Automobile

Case Last Refreshed

Aug 05, 2023

On April 16, 2021 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Orange County. Judge Charles Margines presiding.

Filed

Apr 16, 2021

Judge

Hon. Charles Margines Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Charles Margines

Court

Orange County

County

Orange County, CA

Practice Area

Creditor

Matter Type

Collections

Case Last Refreshed

Aug 05, 2023

On April 12, 2021 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Orange County. Judge Charles Margines presiding.

Filed

Apr 12, 2021

Judge

Hon. Charles Margines Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Charles Margines

Court

Orange County

County

Orange County, CA

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Automobile

Case Last Refreshed

Aug 07, 2023

On April 9, 2021 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Orange County. Judge Charles Margines presiding.

Filed

Apr 09, 2021

Judge

Hon. Charles Margines Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Charles Margines

Court

Orange County

County

Orange County, CA

Practice Area

Creditor

Matter Type

Collections

Case Last Refreshed

May 28, 2025

On April 6, 2021 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Orange County. Judge Charles Margines presiding.

Filed

Apr 06, 2021

Judge

Hon. Charles Margines Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Charles Margines

Court

Orange County

County

Orange County, CA

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Automobile

Case Last Refreshed

Aug 09, 2023

On March 30, 2021 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Orange County. Judge Charles Margines presiding.

Filed

Mar 30, 2021

Status

Settlement

Judge

Hon. Charles Margines Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Charles Margines

Court

Orange County

County

Orange County, CA

Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

Breach of Contract

Case Last Refreshed

May 22, 2025

On March 30, 2021 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Orange County. Judge Charles Margines presiding.

Filed

Mar 30, 2021

Judge

Hon. Charles Margines Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Charles Margines

Court

Orange County

County

Orange County, CA

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

General Torts

Case Last Refreshed

May 22, 2025

On March 29, 2021 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Orange County. Judge Charles Margines presiding.

Filed

Mar 29, 2021

Judge

Hon. Charles Margines Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Charles Margines

Court

Orange County

County

Orange County, CA

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

General Torts

Case Last Refreshed

Aug 05, 2023

On March 29, 2021 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Orange County. Judge Charles Margines presiding.

Filed

Mar 29, 2021

Status

Settlement

Judge

Hon. Charles Margines Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Charles Margines

Court

Orange County

County

Orange County, CA

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Automobile

Case Last Refreshed

Aug 09, 2023

On March 29, 2021 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Orange County. Judge Charles Margines presiding.

Filed

Mar 29, 2021

Judge

Hon. Charles Margines Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Charles Margines

Court

Orange County

County

Orange County, CA

Practice Area

Labor and Employment

Matter Type

Wrongful Termination

Case Last Refreshed

Aug 07, 2023

On March 26, 2021 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Orange County. Judge Charles Margines presiding.

Filed

Mar 26, 2021

Judge

Hon. Charles Margines Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Charles Margines

Court

Orange County

County

Orange County, CA

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

General Torts

Case Last Refreshed

Aug 04, 2023

On March 26, 2021 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Orange County. Judge Charles Margines presiding.

Filed

Mar 26, 2021

Judge

Hon. Charles Margines Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Charles Margines

Court

Orange County

County

Orange County, CA

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Automobile

Case Last Refreshed

May 22, 2025

On March 26, 2021 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Orange County. Judge Charles Margines presiding.

Filed

Mar 26, 2021

Status

Judgment (Other)

Judge

Hon. Charles Margines Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Charles Margines

Court

Orange County

County

Orange County, CA

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Automobile

Case Last Refreshed

Aug 09, 2023

On March 25, 2021 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Orange County. Judge Charles Margines presiding.

Filed

Mar 25, 2021

Status

Settlement

Judge

Hon. Charles Margines Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Charles Margines

Court

Orange County

County

Orange County, CA

Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

Breach of Contract

Case Last Refreshed

May 22, 2025

On March 24, 2021 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Orange County. Judge Charles Margines presiding.

Filed

Mar 24, 2021

Judge

Hon. Charles Margines Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Charles Margines

Court

Orange County

County

Orange County, CA

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

General Torts

Case Last Refreshed

Aug 09, 2023

On March 24, 2021 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Orange County. Judge Charles Margines presiding.

Filed

Mar 24, 2021

Judge

Hon. Charles Margines Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Charles Margines

Court

Orange County

County

Orange County, CA

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Automobile

Case Last Refreshed

Aug 09, 2023

On March 24, 2021 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Orange County. Judge Charles Margines presiding.

Filed

Mar 24, 2021

Status

Dismissal

Judge

Hon. Charles Margines Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Charles Margines

Court

Orange County

County

Orange County, CA

Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

Breach of Contract

Case Last Refreshed

May 22, 2025

On March 23, 2021 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Orange County. Judge Charles Margines presiding.

Filed

Mar 23, 2021

Judge

Hon. Charles Margines Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Charles Margines

Court

Orange County

County

Orange County, CA

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Automobile

Case Last Refreshed

Aug 06, 2023

On March 23, 2021 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Orange County. Judge Charles Margines presiding.

Filed

Mar 23, 2021

Status

Settlement

Judge

Hon. Charles Margines Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Charles Margines

Court

Orange County

County

Orange County, CA

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Automobile

Case Last Refreshed

Aug 07, 2023

On March 22, 2021 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Orange County. Judge Charles Margines presiding.

Filed

Mar 22, 2021

Judge

Hon. Charles Margines Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Charles Margines

Court

Orange County

County

Orange County, CA

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Automobile

Case Last Refreshed

May 22, 2025