She used to be Merced's city attorney. Now she's the newest Merced County judge

The governor appointed a new judge in Merced County on Thursday, filling a seat that's been open for more than two years.

Gov. Jerry Brown appointed Jeanne E. Schechter, 54, of La Grange to the Merced County Superior Court, according to a release from the governor's office. She has served as a court commissioner in Merced since 2012. 

Shechter also was chief deputy city attorney in Merced from 2004 to 2012 and senior deputy district attorney at the Stanislaus County District Attorney's Office from 1991 to 2004, according to the governor's office.

Donald Proietti, presiding judge of the Merced Superior Court, said, “This judicial appointment is very good news for our court from the governor’s office."

The court will begin the recruitment process to fill the now-vacant commissioner's seat, according to court CEO Linda Romero Soles.

Schechter fills the seat formerly held by Marc A. Garcia, who made history in 2007 by becoming the youngest person and the first Latino ever appointed to the Merced Superior Court bench. He resigned his position amid allegations of ethical violations in 2015. 

Garcia admitted “errors in judgment” leading to his departure. He admitted failing to disclose payments totaling $250,000, money he was owed when he moved from private practice to the bench.

Schechter earned her law degree from Loyola Law School, Los Angeles and a bachelor's of science degree from Ohio State University, according to the governor's office. Schechter is a Republican.

This story was originally published November 2, 2017 at 11:54 AM with the headline "She used to be Merced's city attorney. Now she's the newest Merced County judge."