Judge Xapuri Villapudua: Professional Background and Legal Expertise

San Joaquin County Superior Court, Department 9A

CA Bar #: 181254 (December 1995)

Appointed By: Gov. Arnold A. Schwarzenegger

Biography

Overview

The Hon. Xapuri Villapudua is a judge for the San Joaquin County Superior Court in California. Villapudua was appointed to the bench by former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in June 2007[1].

While on the bench, Villapudua has presided over criminal matters and Mental Health Court. Her assignments have also included supervising the unlawful detainers and small claims divisions. She has served as assistant presiding judge[2]. Villapudua later served as presiding judge[4]. Official court administration records have listed her as supervising judge of the criminal division and a member of the court's Executive Committee[3].

In 2026, she ordered grand jury transcripts unsealed and denied defense objections in the prosecution of Wesley Brownlee, allowing the trial to proceed[5]. In a murder prosecution, an appellate court affirmed her decision not to recuse herself after finding no constitutionally problematic interest in the trial's outcome[6].

Educational background

Villapudua earned a B.A. from the University of California, Berkeley. At the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, she completed a J.D. in 1995. She was admitted to the State Bar of California (December 1995).

Career history

After graduating from law school, Villapudua joined the San Joaquin County District Attorney's Office as a deputy district attorney in 1995. During her tenure with the office, her work included supervising the Child Abuse/Sexual Assault Unit.

Her honors have included El Concilio's Amiga of the Year award in 2019[7].

Personal life

A California native, Villapudua was born in San Francisco and raised in Stockton. She and her husband, Armando Villapudua, an attorney in Stockton, have raised five children.

Outside the courtroom, Villapudua's community work has included service as a board member of El Concilio and repeated appearances as host of its Latina Leadership Luncheons[7]. Her civic activity has also included participation in a civics education program for fifth-graders[6]. In 2023, she was confirmed as the keynote speaker for the Teachers College of San Joaquin commencement ceremony[8].

Villapudua is registered as a Democrat.

References

[1] Ballotpedia — Xapuri Villapudua
[2] Local Rules (January 2018)
[3] San Joaquin County Superior Court — Court Administration
[4] San Joaquin County Superior Court News — Erin E. Guy Castillo Appointed to San Joaquin County Superior Court Bench
[5] Stocktonia — Judge Rules Trial of Accused Serial Killer Wesley Brownlee Can Proceed
[6] Metropolitan News-Enterprise — Recusal Not Required
[7] Latino Times — El Concilio's 2019 Gala Recognizing Community Leaders
[8] Teachers College of San Joaquin — Board Minutes (March 21, 2023)

Recent Cases by Hon. Xapuri Villapudua

People of the State of California vs. Kavaun Omari Murdock

On March 6, 2025 a felony case was filed in the jurisdiction of San Joaquin County. Judge Xapuri Villapudua presiding.

Filed

Mar 06, 2025

Status

Closed

Judge

Hon. Xapuri Villapudua 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Xapuri Villapudua

Court

Superior Court of California, County of San Joaquin

County

San Joaquin County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Felony

Practice Area

Criminal

Matter Type

General Criminal

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 01, 2026

People of the State of California vs. Arizbeth Nieto

On December 5, 2022 a misdemeanor case was filed in the jurisdiction of San Joaquin County. Judge Xapuri Villapudua presiding.

Filed

Dec 05, 2022

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Xapuri Villapudua 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Xapuri Villapudua

Court

Superior Court of California, County of San Joaquin

County

San Joaquin County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Misdemeanor

Practice Area

Criminal

Matter Type

General Criminal

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 17, 2026

Yan Zhao vs Dennis Waldo

On January 6, 2020 a domestic violence without children case was filed in the jurisdiction of San Joaquin County. Judge Xapuri Villapudua presiding.

Filed

Jan 06, 2020

Status

Dismissal

Judge

Hon. Xapuri Villapudua 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Xapuri Villapudua

Court

Family Law Annex

County

San Joaquin County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Domestic Violence without children

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Domestic Violence

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 31, 2021

Amber Luigs vs Timothy Luigs

On October 15, 2019 a dissolution with children case was filed in the jurisdiction of San Joaquin County. Judge Xapuri Villapudua presiding.

Filed

Oct 15, 2019

Status

Non-Jury Verdict

Judge

Hon. Xapuri Villapudua 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Xapuri Villapudua

Court

Family Law Annex

County

San Joaquin County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Dissolution with children

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

May 14, 2026

COSJ-TTC, RRD vs Serena A Horace

On September 25, 2019 small claims case was filed in the jurisdiction of San Joaquin County. Judge Xapuri Villapudua presiding.

Filed

Sep 25, 2019

Status

Non-Jury Verdict

Judge

Hon. Xapuri Villapudua 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Xapuri Villapudua

Court

San Joaquin County

County

San Joaquin County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Small Claims

Practice Area

Small Claims

Matter Type

General Small Claims

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 21, 2023

COSJ-TTC, RRD vs Jennifer E Copeland

On September 25, 2019 small claims case was filed in the jurisdiction of San Joaquin County. Judge Xapuri Villapudua presiding.

11 Files

Filed

Sep 25, 2019

Status

Non-Jury Verdict

Judge

Hon. Xapuri Villapudua 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Xapuri Villapudua

Court

Stockton

County

San Joaquin County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Small Claims

Practice Area

Small Claims

Matter Type

General Small Claims

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 11, 2025

COSJ-TTC, RRD vs Janessa M Donaire

On September 25, 2019 small claims case was filed in the jurisdiction of San Joaquin County. Judge Xapuri Villapudua presiding.

15 Files

Filed

Sep 25, 2019

Status

Non-Jury Verdict

Judge

Hon. Xapuri Villapudua 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Xapuri Villapudua

Court

San Joaquin County

County

San Joaquin County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Small Claims

Practice Area

Small Claims

Matter Type

General Small Claims

Case Last Refreshed

Apr 23, 2026

COSJ-TTC, RRD vs Armando Manzo

On September 25, 2019 small claims case was filed in the jurisdiction of San Joaquin County. Judge Xapuri Villapudua presiding.

Filed

Sep 25, 2019

Status

Non-Jury Verdict

Judge

Hon. Xapuri Villapudua 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Xapuri Villapudua

Court

Stockton

County

San Joaquin County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Small Claims

Practice Area

Small Claims

Matter Type

General Small Claims

COSJ-TTC, RRD vs Richard Hester

On September 25, 2019 small claims case was filed in the jurisdiction of San Joaquin County. Judge Xapuri Villapudua presiding.

8 Files

Filed

Sep 25, 2019

Status

Non-Jury Verdict

Judge

Hon. Xapuri Villapudua 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Xapuri Villapudua

Court

Stockton

County

San Joaquin County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Small Claims

Practice Area

Small Claims

Matter Type

General Small Claims

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 11, 2025

COSJ-TTC, RRD vs Janessa M Donaire

On September 25, 2019 small claims case was filed in the jurisdiction of San Joaquin County. Judge Xapuri Villapudua presiding.

Filed

Sep 25, 2019

Status

Non-Jury Verdict

Judge

Hon. Xapuri Villapudua 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Xapuri Villapudua

Court

Stockton

County

San Joaquin County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Small Claims

Practice Area

Small Claims

Matter Type

General Small Claims

COSJ-TTC, RRD vs Marie F Costa

On September 25, 2019 small claims case was filed in the jurisdiction of San Joaquin County. Judge Xapuri Villapudua presiding.

Filed

Sep 25, 2019

Status

Non-Jury Verdict

Judge

Hon. Xapuri Villapudua 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Xapuri Villapudua

Court

Stockton

County

San Joaquin County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Small Claims

Practice Area

Small Claims

Matter Type

General Small Claims

COSJ-TTC, RRD vs Serena A Horace

On September 25, 2019 small claims case was filed in the jurisdiction of San Joaquin County. Judge Xapuri Villapudua presiding.

Filed

Sep 25, 2019

Status

Non-Jury Verdict

Judge

Hon. Xapuri Villapudua 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Xapuri Villapudua

Court

Stockton

County

San Joaquin County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Small Claims

Practice Area

Small Claims

Matter Type

General Small Claims

COSJ-TTC, RRD vs Mausa Leone Jr

On May 15, 2019 small claims case was filed in the jurisdiction of San Joaquin County. Judge Xapuri Villapudua presiding.

Filed

May 15, 2019

Status

Non-Jury Verdict

Judge

Hon. Xapuri Villapudua 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Xapuri Villapudua

Court

Stockton

County

San Joaquin County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Small Claims

Practice Area

Small Claims

Matter Type

General Small Claims

COSJ-TTC, RRD vs Mark Street

On May 15, 2019 small claims case was filed in the jurisdiction of San Joaquin County. Judge Xapuri Villapudua presiding.

8 Files

Filed

May 15, 2019

Status

Non-Jury Verdict

Judge

Hon. Xapuri Villapudua 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Xapuri Villapudua

Court

San Joaquin County

County

San Joaquin County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Small Claims

Practice Area

Small Claims

Matter Type

General Small Claims

Case Last Refreshed

Apr 23, 2026

COSJ-TTC, RRD vs Blake M Walker

On May 15, 2019 small claims case was filed in the jurisdiction of San Joaquin County. Judge Xapuri Villapudua presiding.

10 Files

Filed

May 15, 2019

Status

Non-Jury Verdict

Judge

Hon. Xapuri Villapudua 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Xapuri Villapudua

Court

Stockton

County

San Joaquin County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Small Claims

Practice Area

Small Claims

Matter Type

General Small Claims

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 03, 2025

COSJ-TTC, RRD vs Christian F Cruz Gonzalez

On May 15, 2019 small claims case was filed in the jurisdiction of San Joaquin County. Judge Xapuri Villapudua presiding.

Filed

May 15, 2019

Status

Non-Jury Verdict

Judge

Hon. Xapuri Villapudua 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Xapuri Villapudua

Court

Stockton

County

San Joaquin County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Small Claims

Practice Area

Small Claims

Matter Type

General Small Claims

COSJ-TTC, RRD vs Mark Street

On May 15, 2019 small claims case was filed in the jurisdiction of San Joaquin County. Judge Xapuri Villapudua presiding.

Filed

May 15, 2019

Status

Non-Jury Verdict

Judge

Hon. Xapuri Villapudua 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Xapuri Villapudua

Court

Stockton

County

San Joaquin County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Small Claims

Practice Area

Small Claims

Matter Type

General Small Claims

COSJ-TTC, RRD vs Don Giottonini Jr

On May 14, 2019 small claims case was filed in the jurisdiction of San Joaquin County. Judge Xapuri Villapudua presiding.

Filed

May 14, 2019

Status

Non-Jury Verdict

Judge

Hon. Xapuri Villapudua 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Xapuri Villapudua

Court

Stockton

County

San Joaquin County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Small Claims

Practice Area

Small Claims

Matter Type

General Small Claims

COSJ-TTC, RRD vs Vilma Lloyd

On May 8, 2019 small claims case was filed in the jurisdiction of San Joaquin County. Judge Xapuri Villapudua presiding.

Filed

May 08, 2019

Status

Non-Jury Verdict

Judge

Hon. Xapuri Villapudua 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Xapuri Villapudua

Court

Stockton

County

San Joaquin County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Small Claims

Practice Area

Small Claims

Matter Type

General Small Claims

COSJ-TTC, RRD vs Shankela Jackson Gonzalez

On May 8, 2019 small claims case was filed in the jurisdiction of San Joaquin County. Judge Xapuri Villapudua presiding.

Filed

May 08, 2019

Status

Non-Jury Verdict

Judge

Hon. Xapuri Villapudua 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Xapuri Villapudua

Court

Stockton

County

San Joaquin County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Small Claims

Practice Area

Small Claims

Matter Type

General Small Claims

COSJ-TTC, RRD vs Shankela Jackson Gonzalez

On May 8, 2019 small claims case was filed in the jurisdiction of San Joaquin County. Judge Xapuri Villapudua presiding.

Filed

May 08, 2019

Status

Non-Jury Verdict

Judge

Hon. Xapuri Villapudua 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Xapuri Villapudua

Court

San Joaquin County

County

San Joaquin County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Small Claims

Practice Area

Small Claims

Matter Type

General Small Claims

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 20, 2023

COSJ-TTC, RRD vs Steven M Hunter

On May 8, 2019 small claims case was filed in the jurisdiction of San Joaquin County. Judge Xapuri Villapudua presiding.

Filed

May 08, 2019

Status

Non-Jury Verdict

Judge

Hon. Xapuri Villapudua 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Xapuri Villapudua

Court

Stockton

County

San Joaquin County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Small Claims

Practice Area

Small Claims

Matter Type

General Small Claims

COSJ-TTC, RRD vs Gianna Helm

On May 8, 2019 small claims case was filed in the jurisdiction of San Joaquin County. Judge Xapuri Villapudua presiding.

Filed

May 08, 2019

Status

Non-Jury Verdict

Judge

Hon. Xapuri Villapudua 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Xapuri Villapudua

Court

Stockton

County

San Joaquin County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Small Claims

Practice Area

Small Claims

Matter Type

General Small Claims

COSJ-TTC, RRD vs John J Gomez

On May 8, 2019 small claims case was filed in the jurisdiction of San Joaquin County. Judge Xapuri Villapudua presiding.

Filed

May 08, 2019

Status

Non-Jury Verdict

Judge

Hon. Xapuri Villapudua 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Xapuri Villapudua

Court

San Joaquin County

County

San Joaquin County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Small Claims

Practice Area

Small Claims

Matter Type

General Small Claims

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 20, 2023

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About

Xapuri Villapudua
Current Appointment San Joaquin County Superior Court, Department 9A	San Joaquin County Superior Court, Department 9A
Education Bachelor's degree, University of California, Berkeley J.D., University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law - 1995	Bachelor's degree, University of California, Berkeley J.D., University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law - 1995