Judge Peter K. Ottenweller: Comprehensive Profile - Analytics, Rulings, and Recent Cases

CA Bar #: 102213 (January 1982)

Appointed By: Gov. Arnold A. Schwarzenegger

Biography

Overview

The Hon. Peter K. Ottenweller is a judge for the Sonoma County Superior Court in California. Ottenweller was appointed to the bench by former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in December 2010, filling the vacancy created by the retirement of the Hon. Arnold D. Rosenfield[1].

While on the bench, Ottenweller has presided over misdemeanor matters[2]. In that assignment, he has incorporated alternative sentencing for nonviolent cases[2].

Educational background

Ottenweller earned a B.A. from New College in California in 1976. At the University of California, Hastings College of the Law, he completed a J.D. in 1980. He was admitted to the State Bar of California (January 1982).

Career history

After graduating from law school, Ottenweller began his legal career as a deputy city attorney in the Civil Rights Division of the Human Rights Commission of the City of Omaha (1981 to 1982). The following year, he joined the Office of the Public Defender of San Francisco County as a deputy public defender, serving until 1984. During his work as a criminal defense attorney, he encouraged clients to communicate with victims to better understand and repair the harm caused[2].

In 1984, Ottenweller entered private practice as a partner at James, Gack & Freeman (1984 to 1991). He then continued in Sonoma County as a sole practitioner, maintaining that practice until his judicial appointment. During that period, his work emphasized real property, construction, business, corporate, insurance, and personal injury matters.

His memberships have included the Sonoma County Bar Association and the Redwood Empire Trial Lawyers Association.

Personal life

He was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Ottenweller is registered as a Democrat.

References

[1] Daily Journal — Governor Appoints Judge
[2] Daily Journal — Judicial Profile of Peter K. Ottenweller

Recent Rulings by Hon. Peter K. Ottenweller

Recent Cases by Hon. Peter K. Ottenweller

On December 18, 2024 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Sonoma County. Judge Peter K. Ottenweller presiding.

Filed

Dec 18, 2024

Status

Active

Court

Family

County

Sonoma County, CA

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Child Support

Case Last Refreshed

Feb 14, 2025

On November 24, 2024 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Sonoma County. Judge Peter K. Ottenweller presiding.

Filed

Nov 24, 2024

Status

Reinstated

Court

Criminal

County

Sonoma County, CA

Practice Area

Criminal

Matter Type

General Criminal

Case Last Refreshed

Jul 29, 2026

On July 3, 2024 a family case was filed in the jurisdiction of Sonoma County. Judge Peter K. Ottenweller presiding.

Filed

Jul 03, 2024

Status

Active

Court

Family

County

Sonoma County, CA

Court Category

Family

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Child Support

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 18, 2025

On July 3, 2024 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Sonoma County. Judge Peter K. Ottenweller presiding.

Filed

Jul 03, 2024

Status

Judgment (Other)

Court

Family

County

Sonoma County, CA

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 18, 2025

On June 11, 2024 a family case was filed in the jurisdiction of Sonoma County. Judge Peter K. Ottenweller presiding.

Filed

Jun 11, 2024

Status

Other

Court

Family

County

Sonoma County, CA

Court Category

Family

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Child Support

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 16, 2025

On February 20, 2024 a family law case was filed in the jurisdiction of Sonoma County. Judge Peter K. Ottenweller presiding.

Filed

Feb 20, 2024

Status

Active

Court

Sonoma County

County

Sonoma County, CA

Court Category

Family Law

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Child Support

Case Last Refreshed

May 21, 2024

On February 20, 2024 a family law case was filed in the jurisdiction of Sonoma County. Judge Peter K. Ottenweller presiding.

Filed

Feb 20, 2024

Status

Active

Court

Sonoma County

County

Sonoma County, CA

Court Category

Family Law

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Domestic Violence

Case Last Refreshed

Apr 11, 2024

On February 8, 2024 a family law case was filed in the jurisdiction of Sonoma County. Judge Peter K. Ottenweller presiding.

Filed

Feb 08, 2024

Status

Active

Court

Sonoma County

County

Sonoma County, CA

Court Category

Family Law

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

General Family

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 27, 2024

On February 7, 2024 a family law case was filed in the jurisdiction of Sonoma County. Judge Peter K. Ottenweller presiding.

Filed

Feb 07, 2024

Status

Active

Court

Sonoma County

County

Sonoma County, CA

Court Category

Family Law

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Child Support

Case Last Refreshed

Jun 21, 2024

On January 26, 2024 a civil case was filed in the jurisdiction of Sonoma County. Judge Peter K. Ottenweller presiding.

5 Files
Filed

Jan 26, 2024

Status

Dismissal

Court

Civil

County

Sonoma County, CA

Court Category

Civil

Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

Breach of Contract

Case Last Refreshed

May 06, 2025

On January 23, 2024 a family case was filed in the jurisdiction of Sonoma County. Judge Peter K. Ottenweller presiding.

Filed

Jan 23, 2024

Status

Active

Court

Family

County

Sonoma County, CA

Court Category

Family

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 28, 2025

On January 23, 2024 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Sonoma County. Judge Peter K. Ottenweller presiding.

Filed

Jan 23, 2024

Status

Default Judgment

Court

Family

County

Sonoma County, CA

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Other Parent-Child

Case Last Refreshed

Aug 28, 2025

On January 22, 2024 a family law case was filed in the jurisdiction of Sonoma County. Judge Peter K. Ottenweller presiding.

Filed

Jan 22, 2024

Status

Active

Court

Sonoma County

County

Sonoma County, CA

Court Category

Family Law

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 08, 2024

On January 11, 2024 a family law case was filed in the jurisdiction of Sonoma County. Judge Peter K. Ottenweller presiding.

Filed

Jan 11, 2024

Status

Judgment (Other)

Court

Sonoma County

County

Sonoma County, CA

Court Category

Family Law

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Domestic Violence

Case Last Refreshed

Apr 17, 2024

On January 8, 2024 a family law case was filed in the jurisdiction of Sonoma County. Judge Peter K. Ottenweller presiding.

Filed

Jan 08, 2024

Status

Active

Court

Sonoma County

County

Sonoma County, CA

Court Category

Family Law

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Jun 22, 2024

On January 8, 2024 a family case was filed in the jurisdiction of Sonoma County. Judge Peter K. Ottenweller presiding.

Filed

Jan 08, 2024

Status

Active

Court

Sonoma County

County

Sonoma County, CA

Court Category

Family

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Aug 15, 2024

On January 5, 2024 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Sonoma County. Judge Peter K. Ottenweller presiding.

Filed

Jan 05, 2024

Status

Active

Court

Family

County

Sonoma County, CA

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Other Parent-Child

Case Last Refreshed

Apr 16, 2026

On December 15, 2023 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Sonoma County. Judge Peter K. Ottenweller presiding.

Filed

Dec 15, 2023

Status

Judgment (Other)

Court

Sonoma County

County

Sonoma County, CA

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Domestic Violence

Case Last Refreshed

Dec 16, 2023

On December 15, 2023 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Sonoma County. Judge Peter K. Ottenweller presiding.

Filed

Dec 15, 2023

Status

Judgment (Other)

Court

Sonoma County

County

Sonoma County, CA

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Domestic Violence

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 17, 2024

On December 15, 2023 a family law case was filed in the jurisdiction of Sonoma County. Judge Peter K. Ottenweller presiding.

Filed

Dec 15, 2023

Status

Non-Jury Verdict

Court

Sonoma County

County

Sonoma County, CA

Court Category

Family Law

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Domestic Violence

Case Last Refreshed

Jun 07, 2024

On December 14, 2023 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Sonoma County. Judge Peter K. Ottenweller presiding.

Filed

Dec 14, 2023

Status

Judgment (Other)

Court

Sonoma County

County

Sonoma County, CA

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Domestic Violence

Case Last Refreshed

Dec 16, 2023

On December 13, 2023 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Sonoma County. Judge Peter K. Ottenweller presiding.

Filed

Dec 13, 2023

Status

Judgment (Other)

Court

Family

County

Sonoma County, CA

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Apr 29, 2025

On December 12, 2023 a family law case was filed in the jurisdiction of Sonoma County. Judge Peter K. Ottenweller presiding.

Filed

Dec 12, 2023

Status

Active

Court

Sonoma County

County

Sonoma County, CA

Court Category

Family Law

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Domestic Violence

Case Last Refreshed

Feb 21, 2024

On December 5, 2023 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Sonoma County. Judge Peter K. Ottenweller presiding.

Filed

Dec 05, 2023

Status

Active

Court

Sonoma County

County

Sonoma County, CA

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

General Family

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 11, 2024