The Hon. John V. Sapunor (Ret.) was a judge for the Sacramento County Superior Court in California. Sapunor was appointed to the Sacramento County Municipal Court by former Governor George Deukmejian in 1985 and was elected to the Superior Court on June 7, 1988, filling the vacancy created by the retirement of John M. Sapunor. He retired in 2008 and joined the Assigned Judges Program.
While on the bench, Sapunor presided over criminal matters[1]. In 1990, he set a trial date in the Dorothea Puente murder case[1]. Sapunor also presided over a 2006 case involving the California Department of Health Services and the scope of practice for psychologists[2]. Through the Assigned Judges Program, he later served as a regular visiting judge in Sacramento County juvenile court[3].
Sapunor earned a bachelor's degree from Santa Clara University in 1970. At Santa Clara University School of Law, he completed a J.D. in 1973.
After completing law school, Sapunor served as a supervising deputy district attorney[4].
Born and raised in Sacramento, Sapunor attended Christian Brothers High School. He was born on February 6, 1948[4].
His father, John M. Sapunor, was also a judge. Sapunor was the grandson of Thomas Sapunor, Sr., who emigrated to the United States from the Island of Brac. Thomas Sapunor, Sr., worked as a locomotive engineer for Southern Pacific and held records for both the fastest and the slowest crossings of the Sierra Nevadas.
[1] Los Angeles Times — Dorothea Puente Case Article
[2] FindLaw — California Court of Appeal Opinion
[3] Supreme Court of California — Petitioner Reply Brief on the Merits
[4] California State Roster (2008)
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