Judge Darrell W. Stevens: Professional Background and Legal Expertise

The Hon. Darrell W. Stevens (deceased) served as a judge for the Butte County Superior Court in California. Stevens was appointed to the bench by former Governor George Deukmejian in 1989. He retired in 2005 and continued to serve as a visiting judge.

Over the course of his judicial career, Stevens pioneered the Butte County Drug Court, which became a model for similar court programs throughout the United States. He was the first judge to preside over the Butte County Drug Court, the Juvenile Drug Court, the Domestic Violence Court, the Proposition 36 Court, and the High Intensity Drug Enforcement Court.

Stevens earned a J.D. from Golden Gate University School of Law in 1965. He then worked as an attorney in private practice until his appointment to the bench, specializing in real property, business, and banking matters.

His memberships included the Board of Governors of the California State Bar Association and the Butte County Bar Association.

Outside the bench, Stevens helped establish the Boys and Girls Club of Chico. He was also actively involved with the Rotary Club of Oroville and Chico, and he sat as president of the Oroville Industrial Development Corporation, chair of the Butte County Salvation Army Advisory Board, chair of the Butte County United Way Campaign, and chair of the Butte County Boy Scouts Campaign.

He was a recipient of the California Judicial Council Ralph Kleps Award for Innovative Court Programs for Small Claims Mediation Program, Small Claims Goes to School Program, Graffiti Removal Program, Revia Alcohol Treatment Program, Downtown Chico Cleanup Program, and Reality Check Program.

Stevens was born in Houston, Texas. He passed away on March 18, 2008.