Charles Robinson, a resident of Copperopolis since 2000, sits on a very short, very prestigious list of attorneys that have been vetted by the governor's many levels of judicial revue. The final level - Judicial Nominations Evaluation Commission - whittled down the list of applicants to four being held as qualified for appointment to Calaveras County Superior Court: Copperopolis resident and Redwood City attorney Charles Robinson, Calaveras County deputy district attorney Dana Pfeil, San Andreas attorney Steven Airola, and Calaveras County court
commissioner Grant Barrett.
Robinson began practicing law in 1974. For the last 30 years of his career Robinson has focused on criminal law, trying over 50 cases. He handled and tried civil cases prior to his entering the criminal law field. In 2000 Robinson was hired as Assistant Chief Defender of the San Mateo County Private Defender Program (PDP) supervising 125 + attorneys and investigators while they handled approximately 24,000 cases per year. That same program received national recognition in 2012 and was awarded the highest award for defense - Harrison Tweed Award - awarded to the PDP for progressive defense of the indigent. That experience combined with his time as Assistant Executive Director of the San Mateo County Bar and work on a local board Robinson says has taught him "aspects of employment law, construction law,administrative law, and governmental law."
Throughout his career Robinson has served as an expert witness in both civil and criminal trials. He has chaired and sat on many committees including, but not limited to, Task force on Juvenile Sentencing, Forensic Psych Evaluation Committee, Bar Association Private Defender Committee, and more. He was the 2008 recipient of the Dennis Woodman Award presented in 'recognition of the PRivate Defender who heedless of opposition and with ceaseless determination fights for those whose liberty and lives are in peril.' Robinson shares his knowledge through speaking engagements on criminal justice and service to community committees.
By,
Charity Maness
