In 1986, he was appointed by Governor George Deukmejian as a judge for the Malibu Municipal Court. He was challenged by a local attorney in 1988 who was dissatisfied with his administration of the municipal court, but won that election and remained a municipal court judge until the municipal courts in Los Angeles County were merged with the Superior Court in 2000.
In 1986, he was appointed by Governor George Deukmejian to serve as a judge for the Malibu Municipal Court. He faced criticism from a local attorney in 1988 who disapproved of his judicial practices but ultimately won that election and continued as a municipal court judge until the Los Angeles County municipal courts merged with the Superior Court in 2000.