Announcements regarding key staffing changes of importance to California’s rural counties.
Sarah Carrillo, of Tuolumne County, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the Tuolumne County Superior Court. Carrillo has served as Assistant General Counsel at the California State Association of Counties since 2026. She was a Senior Attorney at White Brenner from 2025 to 2026. Carrillo served in various roles at the Tuolumne County Counsel’s Office including as the County Counsel from 2013 to 2025 and as a Deputy County Counsel from 2005 to 2013. She served as a Deputy Probation Officer at the Tuolumne County Probation Department from 2004 to 2005. Carrillo was an Associate at various firms including at Brunn & Flynn in 2004 and at the Law Office of Mark Valen from 2003 to 2004. Carrillo received a Juris Doctor degree from the University of California, Davis School of Law. She fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Kevin M. Seibert. Carrillo is a Democrat. The compensation for this position is $244,727.
Veronica Juarez, of Yolo County, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the Napa County Superior Court. Juarez has served as a Deputy District Attorney at the Napa County District Attorney’s Office since 2021. She served as a Deputy Attorney General at the California Department of Justice from 2019 to 2021. Juarez served as a Deputy District Attorney at the Solano County District Attorney’s Office from 2007 to 2019. She served as a Deputy Public Defender at the Yuba County Public Defender’s Office from 2004 to 2007. Juarez received a Juris Doctor degree from the University of San Francisco School of Law. She fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Mark Boessenecker. Juarez is a Democrat. The compensation for this position is $244,727.
Elizabeth Leitzinger, of Monterey County, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the Monterey County Superior Court. Leitzinger has been a Shareholder at Fenton & Keller since 2016. She was an Associate at Fenton & Keller from 2012 to 2016 and at Goldstein & Associates from 2008 to 2012. Leitzinger received a Juris Doctor degree from the University of San Francisco School of Law. She fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Julie R. Culver. Leitzinger is a Democrat. The compensation for this position is $244,727.
Edward Silva, of Tulare, has been appointed Warden of Corcoran State Prison. Silva has been Acting Warden at Corcoran State Prison since 2025, where he has held several positions since 2020, including Chief Deputy Warden, Acting Chief Deputy Warden, Associate Warden, Acting Associate Warden, and Correctional Captain. He was a Correctional Captain at the California Substance Abuse Treatment Facility and State Prison from 2017 to 2020. Silva was a Correctional Lieutenant at Corcoran State Prison from 2011 to 2017. He was Correctional Sergeant at North Kern State Prison from 2006 to 2011. Silva was a Correctional Officer at Avenal State Prison from 1999 to 2006. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $199,332. Silva is a Republican.