Judge John D. Kirihara: Professional Background and Legal Expertise

Merced County Superior Court, Department 11

CA Bar #: 91832 (May 1980)

Appointed By: Gov. Joseph Graham Davis, Jr.

Biography

The Hon. John D. Kirihara is a judge for the Superior Court of Merced County in California. He was appointed to the bench by former Governor Gray Davis on October 4, 2001.

Kirihara earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Santa Barbara in 1972. He then briefly attended Rutgers University School of Law before completing a J.D. from the University of California, Davis School of Law in 1979.

He began his legal career as a deputy public defender in the Office of the Public Defender of Merced County in 1980. Then, in 1984, he entered into private practice, joining Morse, Morse & Morse as an associate.

Kirihara is registered as a Democrat.

Recent Cases by Hon. John D. Kirihara

People of the State of California vs. Jose Vazquez

On October 21, 2021 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Merced County. Judge John D. Kirihara presiding.

Filed

Oct 21, 2021

Status

Closed

Judge

Hon. John D. Kirihara 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for John D. Kirihara

Court

Merced County

County

Merced County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Criminal

Matter Type

Criminal Related (Civil)

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 28, 2021

People of the State of California vs. Michelle Cardenas

On October 21, 2021 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Merced County. Judge John D. Kirihara presiding.

Filed

Oct 21, 2021

Status

Closed

Judge

Hon. John D. Kirihara 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for John D. Kirihara

Court

Merced County

County

Merced County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Criminal

Matter Type

Criminal Related (Civil)

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 30, 2021

People of the State of California vs. Jasmine Rosales

On October 20, 2021 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Merced County. Judge John D. Kirihara presiding.

Filed

Oct 20, 2021

Status

Closed

Judge

Hon. John D. Kirihara 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for John D. Kirihara

Court

Merced County

County

Merced County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Criminal

Matter Type

Criminal Related (Civil)

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 28, 2021

People of the State of California vs. Ajitpaul Thindal

On October 20, 2021 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Merced County. Judge John D. Kirihara presiding.

Filed

Oct 20, 2021

Status

Closed

Judge

Hon. John D. Kirihara 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for John D. Kirihara

Court

Merced County

County

Merced County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Criminal

Matter Type

Criminal Related (Civil)

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 28, 2021

People of the State of California vs. Marlene Ramirez

On October 18, 2021 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Merced County. Judge John D. Kirihara presiding.

1 File

Filed

Oct 18, 2021

Status

Closed

Judge

Hon. John D. Kirihara 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for John D. Kirihara

Court

Merced County

County

Merced County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Criminal

Matter Type

Criminal Related (Civil)

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 28, 2021

People of the State of California vs. Kenneth Areias

On October 15, 2021 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Merced County. Judge John D. Kirihara presiding.

Filed

Oct 15, 2021

Status

Closed

Judge

Hon. John D. Kirihara 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for John D. Kirihara

Court

Merced County

County

Merced County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Criminal

Matter Type

Criminal Related (Civil)

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 29, 2021

People of the State of California vs. FABIAN ORTIZ

On October 8, 2021 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Merced County. Judge John D. Kirihara presiding.

Filed

Oct 08, 2021

Status

Closed

Judge

Hon. John D. Kirihara 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for John D. Kirihara

Court

Merced County

County

Merced County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Criminal

Matter Type

Criminal Related (Civil)

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 30, 2021

People of the State of California vs. STEVEN CABALLERO

On October 7, 2021 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Merced County. Judge John D. Kirihara presiding.

Filed

Oct 07, 2021

Status

Closed

Judge

Hon. John D. Kirihara 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for John D. Kirihara

Court

Merced County

County

Merced County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Criminal

Matter Type

Criminal Related (Civil)

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 30, 2021

People of the State of California vs. Daniel Salas

On September 23, 2021 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Merced County. Judge John D. Kirihara presiding.

Filed

Sep 23, 2021

Status

Closed

Judge

Hon. John D. Kirihara 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for John D. Kirihara

Court

Merced County

County

Merced County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Criminal

Matter Type

Criminal Related (Civil)

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 26, 2021

People of the State of California, Plaintiff(s) vs. Gildardo A Martinez, Defendant(s)

On September 22, 2021 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Merced County. Judge John D. Kirihara presiding.

2 Files

Filed

Sep 22, 2021

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. John D. Kirihara 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for John D. Kirihara

Court

Merced County

County

Merced County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Criminal

Matter Type

General Criminal

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 20, 2021

People of the State of California vs. David Diaz

On September 21, 2021 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Merced County. Judge John D. Kirihara presiding.

Filed

Sep 21, 2021

Status

Closed

Judge

Hon. John D. Kirihara 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for John D. Kirihara

Court

Merced County

County

Merced County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Criminal

Matter Type

Criminal Related (Civil)

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 26, 2021

People of the State of California vs. JOSE EUSTAQUIOJACOBO

On September 17, 2021 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Merced County. Judge John D. Kirihara presiding.

Filed

Sep 17, 2021

Status

Closed

Judge

Hon. John D. Kirihara 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for John D. Kirihara

Court

Merced County

County

Merced County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Criminal

Matter Type

Criminal Related (Civil)

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 26, 2021

Estate of:Rosie Fuentes

On September 13, 2021 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Merced County. Judge John D. Kirihara presiding.

1 File

Filed

Sep 13, 2021

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. John D. Kirihara 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for John D. Kirihara

Court

Merced County

County

Merced County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Probate

Matter Type

Estate Administration

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 30, 2021

People of the State of California vs. AREANNA MARCHANSALVADOR

On September 12, 2021 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Merced County. Judge John D. Kirihara presiding.

Filed

Sep 12, 2021

Status

Non-Jury Verdict

Judge

Hon. John D. Kirihara 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for John D. Kirihara

Court

Merced County

County

Merced County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Criminal

Matter Type

Criminal Related (Civil)

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 28, 2021

Estate of:Novis Larson

On September 9, 2021 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Merced County. Judge John D. Kirihara presiding.

1 File

Filed

Sep 09, 2021

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. John D. Kirihara 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for John D. Kirihara

Court

Merced County

County

Merced County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Probate

Matter Type

Estate Administration

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 26, 2021

People of the State of California vs. Gabriela Medina

On September 2, 2021 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Merced County. Judge John D. Kirihara presiding.

Filed

Sep 02, 2021

Status

Closed

Judge

Hon. John D. Kirihara 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for John D. Kirihara

Court

Merced County

County

Merced County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Criminal

Matter Type

Criminal Related (Civil)

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 29, 2021

People of the State of California vs. JAMES ODOM

On August 27, 2021 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Merced County. Judge John D. Kirihara presiding.

1 File

Filed

Aug 27, 2021

Status

Non-Jury Verdict

Judge

Hon. John D. Kirihara 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for John D. Kirihara

Court

Merced County

County

Merced County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Criminal

Matter Type

Criminal Related (Civil)

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 26, 2021

Jesus Ornelas vs. Limited Collision Center

On August 25, 2021 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Merced County. Judge John D. Kirihara presiding.

3 Files

Filed

Aug 25, 2021

Status

Non-Jury Verdict

Judge

Hon. John D. Kirihara 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for John D. Kirihara

Court

Superior

County

Merced County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Small Claims

Matter Type

General Small Claims

Case Last Refreshed

May 25, 2025

Flourish Salon Business Development, LLC vs Rogeia Barragan

On August 25, 2021 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Merced County. Judge John D. Kirihara presiding.

1 File

Filed

Aug 25, 2021

Status

Non-Jury Verdict

Judge

Hon. John D. Kirihara 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for John D. Kirihara

Court

Superior

County

Merced County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Small Claims

Matter Type

General Small Claims

Case Last Refreshed

May 25, 2025

Bethany Witherspoon vs Cory Neal

On August 24, 2021 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Merced County. Judge John D. Kirihara presiding.

3 Files

Filed

Aug 24, 2021

Status

Non-Jury Verdict

Judge

Hon. John D. Kirihara 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for John D. Kirihara

Court

Superior

County

Merced County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Small Claims

Matter Type

General Small Claims

Case Last Refreshed

May 25, 2025

People of the State of California vs. Yadira Martinez

On August 24, 2021 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Merced County. Judge John D. Kirihara presiding.

Filed

Aug 24, 2021

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. John D. Kirihara 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for John D. Kirihara

Court

Merced County

County

Merced County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Criminal

Matter Type

Criminal Related (Civil)

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 26, 2021

People of the State of California vs Morales, Jose

On July 12, 2021 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Merced County. Judge John D. Kirihara presiding.

Filed

Jul 12, 2021

Judge

Hon. John D. Kirihara 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for John D. Kirihara

Court

Merced County

County

Merced County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 28, 2021

People of the State of California vs. ANTONIO ALDRETE

On July 4, 2021 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Merced County. Judge John D. Kirihara presiding.

1 File

Filed

Jul 04, 2021

Status

Non-Jury Verdict

Judge

Hon. John D. Kirihara 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for John D. Kirihara

Court

Merced County

County

Merced County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Criminal

Matter Type

Criminal Related (Civil)

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 28, 2021

People of the State of California vs. ADOLFO DELAHUERTACAMPILLO

On June 14, 2021 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Merced County. Judge John D. Kirihara presiding.

1 File

Filed

Jun 14, 2021

Status

Closed

Judge

Hon. John D. Kirihara 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for John D. Kirihara

Court

Merced County

County

Merced County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Criminal

Matter Type

Criminal Related (Civil)

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 26, 2021

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About

John D. Kirihara
Current Appointment Merced County Superior Court, Department 11	Merced County Superior Court, Department 11
Education J.D., University of California, Davis School of Law - 1979 Bachelor's degree, University of California, Santa Barbara - 1972	J.D., University of California, Davis School of Law - 1979 Bachelor's degree, University of California, Santa Barbara - 1972