MONTEREY COUNTY — Monterey County Superior Court Presiding Judge Carrie Panetta announced that Judge Jennifer O’Keefe has been elected by the bench to serve as the court’s next assistant presiding judge as of Jan. 1.
O’Keefe will serve in that role for 2026 and 2027 before becoming presiding judge in 2028 and 2029.
Current Assistant Presiding Judge Rafael Vazquez commenced his term as presiding judge effective Jan. 1, and will serve through 2027.
O’Keefe has served on the Monterey County Superior Court bench since 2021, after being appointed to that position by Gov. Gavin Newsom. She currently presides over a felony trial department and serves as the chair of the Bail Committee, the chair of the Judicial Policy and Strategic Planning Committee and as a member of the Executive Committee and the California Judicial Mentorship Program Committee.
O’Keefe previously served as a deputy public defender and as a chief deputy public defender at the Monterey County Public Defender’s Office from 2010 until her appointment to the bench. She was deputy public defender at the Fresno County Public Defender’s Office from 2005 to 2010.
In addition, O’Keefe serves on the Board of Trustees and the Academic Standards and Policy Committee for the Monterey College of Law. She has taught evidence at the college for the past 10 years.
“I am confident that Judge Vazquez and Judge O’Keefe will continue their exemplary service on the Superior Court while taking on these important leadership roles,” Panetta said. “Please join me in welcoming our new presiding judge and assistant presiding judge and supporting them in their new positions.”
