Judge Rita Coyne Federman: Professional Background and Legal Expertise

San Luis Obispo County Superior Court, Department - Criminal, Department 3

CA Bar #: 142369 (December 1989)

Appointed By: Gov. Edmund G. Brown, Jr.

Biography

Overview

The Hon. Rita C. Federman is a judge for the San Luis Obispo County Superior Court in California. Federman was appointed to the bench by former Governor Jerry Brown on December 27, 2012, filling the vacancy created by the retirement of the Hon. Teresa Estrada-Mullaney[1].

Her assignments have included the Criminal, Family Law, Civil, and Appellate Divisions[2]. By February 2026, she was serving as the court's presiding judge and chair of its Judicial Mentor Program[2]. Federman also served as a judge pro tem in Division One of the California Court of Appeal, Second Appellate District, through December 31, 2020[3]. From 2021 to 2022, she sat as an associate justice pro tempore for the California Court of Appeal, Second Appellate District, Division One[2]. In that role, she authored 3 published and 43 unpublished opinions[2].

Educational background

Federman earned a B.A. from Boston College in 1984. At California Western School of Law, she completed a J.D. in 1989. She was admitted to the State Bar of California (December 1989).

Career history

After law school, Federman began her legal career as an associate at Shearer, Lanctot, Walsh & Knorp (1989 to 1990), where she practiced general business and corporate law. She next served as a judicial staff attorney for the United States District Court for the Central District of California from 1991 to 1999. In 1999, Federman transferred to the San Luis Obispo County Superior Court as a judicial staff attorney. Federman also presided over cases there as a judge pro tem. In 2004, she was selected to serve as a part-time United States magistrate judge for the United States District Court for the Central District of California, with her official duty station in Santa Barbara[4]. She remained in that post for eight years.

Personal life

Outside the courtroom, her civic service has included membership on the board of directors of the San Luis Obispo Legal Alternatives Corporation[1].

Federman is registered as a Democrat[5].

References

[1] Cal Coast News — Brown Appoints New San Luis Obispo Judge
[2] Daily Journal — Judicial Profile
[3] Los Angeles County Bar Association — Litigation Section Newsletter (December 2020)
[4] United States District Court for the Central District of California — Reappointment of Part-Time United States Magistrate Judge Rita Coyne Federman
[5] Ballotpedia — Rita Coyne Federman

Recent Cases by Hon. Rita Coyne Federman

People Of The State Of California vs. KATE ANN VAUGHN

On October 22, 2026 a misdemeanor case was filed in the jurisdiction of San Luis Obispo County. Judge Rita Coyne Federman presiding.

Filed

Oct 22, 2026

Judge

Hon. Rita Coyne Federman 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Rita Coyne Federman

Court

SLO - San Luis Obispo - Criminal

County

San Luis Obispo County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Misdemeanor

Practice Area

Criminal

Matter Type

General Criminal

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 24, 2026

People Of The State Of California vs. ALEXIS REYES

On October 22, 2026 a misdemeanor case was filed in the jurisdiction of San Luis Obispo County. Judge Rita Coyne Federman presiding.

Filed

Oct 22, 2026

Judge

Hon. Rita Coyne Federman 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Rita Coyne Federman

Court

SLO - San Luis Obispo - Criminal

County

San Luis Obispo County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Misdemeanor

Practice Area

Criminal

Matter Type

General Criminal

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 24, 2026

People Of The State Of California vs. Michael Christian Macarthur

On October 21, 2026 a felony case was filed in the jurisdiction of San Luis Obispo County. Judge Rita Coyne Federman presiding.

Filed

Oct 21, 2026

Judge

Hon. Rita Coyne Federman 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Rita Coyne Federman

Court

SLO - San Luis Obispo - Criminal

County

San Luis Obispo County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Felony

Practice Area

Criminal

Matter Type

General Criminal

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 24, 2026

People Of The State Of California vs. HARLEY NICHOLAS TILLEMA

On October 21, 2026 a misdemeanor case was filed in the jurisdiction of San Luis Obispo County. Judge Rita Coyne Federman presiding.

Filed

Oct 21, 2026

Status

Dismissal

Judge

Hon. Rita Coyne Federman 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Rita Coyne Federman

Court

SLO - San Luis Obispo - Criminal

County

San Luis Obispo County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Misdemeanor

Practice Area

Criminal

Matter Type

General Criminal

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 24, 2026

People Of The State Of California vs. CORY DANIEL YORK

On October 21, 2026 a misdemeanor case was filed in the jurisdiction of San Luis Obispo County. Judge Rita Coyne Federman presiding.

Filed

Oct 21, 2026

Judge

Hon. Rita Coyne Federman 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Rita Coyne Federman

Court

SLO - San Luis Obispo - Criminal

County

San Luis Obispo County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Misdemeanor

Practice Area

Criminal

Matter Type

General Criminal

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 23, 2026

People Of The State Of California vs. Tyler Danielle Hogan

On October 21, 2026 a misdemeanor case was filed in the jurisdiction of San Luis Obispo County. Judge Rita Coyne Federman presiding.

Filed

Oct 21, 2026

Judge

Hon. Rita Coyne Federman 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Rita Coyne Federman

Court

SLO - San Luis Obispo - Criminal

County

San Luis Obispo County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Misdemeanor

Practice Area

Criminal

Matter Type

General Criminal

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 24, 2026

People Of The State Of California vs. Amanda Laurie Schoenecker

On October 21, 2026 a misdemeanor case was filed in the jurisdiction of San Luis Obispo County. Judge Rita Coyne Federman presiding.

Filed

Oct 21, 2026

Judge

Hon. Rita Coyne Federman 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Rita Coyne Federman

Court

SLO - San Luis Obispo - Criminal

County

San Luis Obispo County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Misdemeanor

Practice Area

Criminal

Matter Type

General Criminal

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 23, 2026

People Of The State Of California vs. Britney Amber Johnson

On October 20, 2026 a misdemeanor case was filed in the jurisdiction of San Luis Obispo County. Judge Rita Coyne Federman presiding.

Filed

Oct 20, 2026

Judge

Hon. Rita Coyne Federman 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Rita Coyne Federman

Court

SLO - San Luis Obispo - Criminal

County

San Luis Obispo County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Misdemeanor

Practice Area

Criminal

Matter Type

General Criminal

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 23, 2026

People Of The State Of California vs. Mark Thomas McClintic

On October 20, 2026 a misdemeanor case was filed in the jurisdiction of San Luis Obispo County. Judge Rita Coyne Federman presiding.

Filed

Oct 20, 2026

Judge

Hon. Rita Coyne Federman 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Rita Coyne Federman

Court

SLO - San Luis Obispo - Criminal

County

San Luis Obispo County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Misdemeanor

Practice Area

Criminal

Matter Type

General Criminal

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 22, 2026

People Of The State Of California vs. JUANA GARCIAMARTINEZ

On October 20, 2026 a misdemeanor case was filed in the jurisdiction of San Luis Obispo County. Judge Rita Coyne Federman presiding.

Filed

Oct 20, 2026

Judge

Hon. Rita Coyne Federman 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Rita Coyne Federman

Court

SLO - San Luis Obispo - Criminal

County

San Luis Obispo County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Misdemeanor

Practice Area

Criminal

Matter Type

General Criminal

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 23, 2026

People Of The State Of California vs. Daniel Sanchezcarrera

On October 20, 2026 a misdemeanor case was filed in the jurisdiction of San Luis Obispo County. Judge Rita Coyne Federman presiding.

Filed

Oct 20, 2026

Judge

Hon. Rita Coyne Federman 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Rita Coyne Federman

Court

SLO - San Luis Obispo - Criminal

County

San Luis Obispo County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Misdemeanor

Practice Area

Criminal

Matter Type

General Criminal

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 23, 2026

People Of The State Of California vs. IBIS WATERHORSE DUNDEE

On October 20, 2026 a misdemeanor case was filed in the jurisdiction of San Luis Obispo County. Judge Rita Coyne Federman presiding.

Filed

Oct 20, 2026

Judge

Hon. Rita Coyne Federman 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Rita Coyne Federman

Court

SLO - San Luis Obispo - Criminal

County

San Luis Obispo County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Misdemeanor

Practice Area

Criminal

Matter Type

General Criminal

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 22, 2026

Francis Jackson vs. People Of The State Of California

On October 19, 2026 a pc2960 petition case was filed in the jurisdiction of San Luis Obispo County. Judge Rita Coyne Federman presiding.

Filed

Oct 19, 2026

Judge

Hon. Rita Coyne Federman 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Rita Coyne Federman

Court

SLO - San Luis Obispo - Criminal

County

San Luis Obispo County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

PC2960 Petition

Practice Area

Criminal

Matter Type

General Criminal

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 22, 2026

People Of The State Of California vs. JAMES EDWIN BLAKE

On October 19, 2026 a misdemeanor case was filed in the jurisdiction of San Luis Obispo County. Judge Rita Coyne Federman presiding.

Filed

Oct 19, 2026

Judge

Hon. Rita Coyne Federman 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Rita Coyne Federman

Court

SLO - San Luis Obispo - Criminal

County

San Luis Obispo County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Misdemeanor

Practice Area

Criminal

Matter Type

General Criminal

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 21, 2026

People Of The State Of California vs. PAOLA MENDOZAACUNA

On October 19, 2026 a misdemeanor case was filed in the jurisdiction of San Luis Obispo County. Judge Rita Coyne Federman presiding.

Filed

Oct 19, 2026

Judge

Hon. Rita Coyne Federman 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Rita Coyne Federman

Court

SLO - San Luis Obispo - Criminal

County

San Luis Obispo County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Misdemeanor

Practice Area

Criminal

Matter Type

General Criminal

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 23, 2026

In Re: Nathan Torrence

On October 19, 2026 a habeas corpus criminal local case was filed in the jurisdiction of San Luis Obispo County. Judge Rita Coyne Federman presiding.

Filed

Oct 19, 2026

Judge

Hon. Rita Coyne Federman 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Rita Coyne Federman

Court

SLO - San Luis Obispo - Criminal

County

San Luis Obispo County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Habeas Corpus Criminal Local

Practice Area

Criminal

Matter Type

Habeas Corpus

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 22, 2026

People Of The State Of California vs. BRADLEY JOEL CRUPPER

On October 19, 2026 a misdemeanor case was filed in the jurisdiction of San Luis Obispo County. Judge Rita Coyne Federman presiding.

Filed

Oct 19, 2026

Judge

Hon. Rita Coyne Federman 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Rita Coyne Federman

Court

SLO - San Luis Obispo - Criminal

County

San Luis Obispo County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Misdemeanor

Practice Area

Criminal

Matter Type

General Criminal

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 22, 2026

People Of The State Of California vs. FRANCISCO GUZMANMARTINEZ

On October 19, 2026 a misdemeanor case was filed in the jurisdiction of San Luis Obispo County. Judge Rita Coyne Federman presiding.

Filed

Oct 19, 2026

Judge

Hon. Rita Coyne Federman 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Rita Coyne Federman

Court

SLO - San Luis Obispo - Criminal

County

San Luis Obispo County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Misdemeanor

Practice Area

Criminal

Matter Type

General Criminal

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 21, 2026

People Of The State Of California vs. RICHARD GREG ENRIQUEZ

On October 16, 2026 a misdemeanor case was filed in the jurisdiction of San Luis Obispo County. Judge Rita Coyne Federman presiding.

Filed

Oct 16, 2026

Judge

Hon. Rita Coyne Federman 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Rita Coyne Federman

Court

SLO - San Luis Obispo - Criminal

County

San Luis Obispo County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Misdemeanor

Practice Area

Criminal

Matter Type

General Criminal

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 20, 2026

People Of The State Of California vs. Darrell Jack Friday, JR.

On October 14, 2026 a misdemeanor case was filed in the jurisdiction of San Luis Obispo County. Judge Rita Coyne Federman presiding.

Filed

Oct 14, 2026

Judge

Hon. Rita Coyne Federman 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Rita Coyne Federman

Court

SLO - San Luis Obispo - Criminal

County

San Luis Obispo County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Misdemeanor

Practice Area

Criminal

Matter Type

General Criminal

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 16, 2026

People Of The State Of California vs. LEONARDO ENRIQUE SALGADO

On October 14, 2026 a misdemeanor case was filed in the jurisdiction of San Luis Obispo County. Judge Rita Coyne Federman presiding.

Filed

Oct 14, 2026

Judge

Hon. Rita Coyne Federman 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Rita Coyne Federman

Court

SLO - San Luis Obispo - Criminal

County

San Luis Obispo County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Misdemeanor

Practice Area

Criminal

Matter Type

General Criminal

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 16, 2026

People Of The State Of California vs. Terry L. Arteche

On October 14, 2026 a misdemeanor case was filed in the jurisdiction of San Luis Obispo County. Judge Rita Coyne Federman presiding.

Filed

Oct 14, 2026

Judge

Hon. Rita Coyne Federman 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Rita Coyne Federman

Court

SLO - San Luis Obispo - Criminal

County

San Luis Obispo County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Misdemeanor

Practice Area

Criminal

Matter Type

General Criminal

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 16, 2026

People Of The State Of California vs. Curtis Benjamin Hascall

On October 13, 2026 a misdemeanor case was filed in the jurisdiction of San Luis Obispo County. Judge Rita Coyne Federman presiding.

Filed

Oct 13, 2026

Judge

Hon. Rita Coyne Federman 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Rita Coyne Federman

Court

SLO - San Luis Obispo - Criminal

County

San Luis Obispo County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Misdemeanor

Practice Area

Criminal

Matter Type

General Criminal

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 16, 2026

People Of The State Of California vs. BRANDON SANJEEV SAMPATH

On October 13, 2026 a misdemeanor case was filed in the jurisdiction of San Luis Obispo County. Judge Rita Coyne Federman presiding.

Filed

Oct 13, 2026

Judge

Hon. Rita Coyne Federman 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Rita Coyne Federman

Court

SLO - San Luis Obispo - Criminal

County

San Luis Obispo County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Misdemeanor

Practice Area

Criminal

Matter Type

General Criminal

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 15, 2026

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About

Rita Coyne Federman
Party Affiliation Democrat	Democrat
Current Appointment San Luis Obispo County Superior Court, Department - Criminal, Department 3	San Luis Obispo County Superior Court, Department - Criminal, Department 3
Election/Appointment 2014 - Re-elected	2014 - Re-elected
Previous Appointment U.S. District Court for the Central District of California	U.S. District Court for the Central District of California
Education J.D., California Western School of Law - 1989 B.A., Boston College - 1984	J.D., California Western School of Law - 1989 B.A., Boston College - 1984

Documents related to Rita Coyne Federman

Court Info

Court Info
Current Court:	CA - San Luis Obispo County Superior Court
Previous Court:	CA - U.S. District Court for the Central District of California San Luis Obispo County Superior Court, Department - Criminal, Department 3
Clerk phone:	+1 (805) 706-3600

Career History

Career History
Role	Employer	Where
Judicial Staff Attorney	United States District Court for the Central District of California	None
Judicial Staff Attorney	Superior Court of California	San Luis Obispo County, California
Magistrate	United States District Court for the Central District of California	Santa Barbara County, California
Judge	Superior Court of California	San Luis Obispo County, California
Associate	Shearer, Lanctot, Walsh & Knorp	San Francisco County, California