State Sen. Noreen Evans on Tuesday says she “currently” has no plans to run for another public office, but left open the door to seeking a new job, including a seat on the California Court of Appeal and perhaps the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors. “It is no secret that one of my lifelong dreams is to serve on the bench, but that is solely within the governor’s discretion,” she said in a statement.

State Sen. Noreen Evans, who is said to be weighing a bid next year for a seat on the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors, also has submitted an application to become a justice on the California Courts of Appeal, sources confirmed. Political observers say Evans is not happy in her current job just nine months into her first term in the Senate.

The proportion of women judges on the Sonoma County Superior Court bench exceeds the state average but minority representation continues to lag, according to a new study. But changes came to Sonoma County’s bench within days of the Judicial Council survey.

With the naming of Bradford DeMeo to the Sonoma County Superior Court bench this week, the filling of several court vacancies is complete. Recent appointments have reshaped the court, which now has its full complement of 20 judges and three commissioners.

Rumors are swirling through the legal community that outgoing D.A. Stephan Passalacqua is a top candidate to fill one of two judicial vacancies. The state budget impasse may allow Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to make an appointment while bypassing the usual vetting process. Passalacqua’s critics are circulating a petition urging the governor to look elsewhere.

A summertime bottleneck of criminal trials is clogging Sonoma County courts, delaying justice for hundreds of defendants and threatening a bigger logjam later in the year.

Robert M. LaForge, the first of at least five new Sonoma County Superior Court judges to join the bench over the next six months, was sworn in Thursday. Jill Ravitch and Stephan Passalacqua finally shook hands – and were subjected to a few quips about their bitter campaign for the office of District Attorney.

UPDATE 10:35 AM: Jamie Thistlethwaite, a longtime criminal defense attorney, won a Superior Court judgeship in a contest with civil attorney Chris Mazzia. In a second race for a Sonoma County judicial seat, Empire Law School dean Pat Broderick and criminal defense lawyer John LemMon are headed toward a runoff election in November.

Meet Sonoma County’s newest judge. Robert LaForge, a 12-year prosecutor, was named Wednesday to an open seat on the Sonoma County Superior Court bench by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

The Press Democrat Editorial Board endorsed Pat Broderick and Jamie Thistlethwaite in their races for two seats on the Sonoma County Superior Court bench. Did the PD Editorial Board make the right pick? Disagree with the choice? Discuss the endorsements here and check out links to information about all five candidates seeking the two seats.