Judge Katherine Rigby

Judge Katherine Rigby serves on the Madera County Superior Court, having come to the bench through election after filing to run in March 2022. Her documented caseload reflects a concentration in serious criminal matters, including a sexual assault case involving a former Chowchilla prison guard that resulted in a life sentence in 2025, and a Walgreens homicide case proceeding to trial in 2026. These cases establish that Judge Rigby handles high-stakes felony proceedings with significant sentencing consequences. One documented procedural ruling drew substantial national media attention: Judge Rigby ordered court staff to respect the preferred pronouns of a transgender rape defendant. This ruling demonstrates a willingness to issue courtroom management orders on procedurally sensitive and publicly contested issues, and signals that she treats courtroom decorum and procedural fairness as matters she will actively enforce through formal orders rather than informal guidance. Because no attorney observations or written ruling analyses are available in the current dataset, the intelligence in this profile is drawn exclusively from public case records and news coverage. Attorneys should treat this profile as a starting baseline and supplement it with direct research into Madera Superior Court records and local bar contacts before appearing before Judge Rigby.

Attorneys appearing before Judge Rigby in criminal matters should recognize that she has presided over cases with severe sentencing outcomes, including a life sentence in a sexual assault case. Thorough preparation on sentencing law, aggravating and mitigating factors, and victim impact considerations is essential in any serious felony matter before her court. Judge Rigby's documented order regarding transgender defendant pronoun usage reflects a procedural approach that prioritizes formal courtroom management. Attorneys should treat all courtroom decorum directives — whether issued in advance or from the bench — as binding and enforceable. Failure to comply with procedural orders, even those that may seem unconventional, carries real risk of sanction or adverse credibility findings. Given the absence of ruling analyses and attorney observations, attorneys should conduct independent research into Madera Superior Court local rules, standing orders, and any publicly available minute orders or transcripts from Judge Rigby's courtroom prior to any appearance. Consulting with Madera County local counsel who have direct courtroom experience with Judge Rigby is strongly advisable.

• critical

  Review All Standing Orders and Local Rules

  No standing orders from Judge Rigby are included in the current dataset. Before any appearance, obtain and review all Madera Superior Court local rules and any standing orders specific to Judge Rigby's department. Her documented use of formal courtroom management orders indicates she expects compliance with written directives.

• critical

  Prepare Comprehensive Sentencing Memoranda in Felony Cases

  Judge Rigby has imposed a life sentence in a documented case. In any serious felony matter, prepare detailed sentencing briefs addressing aggravating and mitigating factors, relevant case law, and victim impact considerations.

• critical

  Consult Madera County Local Counsel

  Given the absence of attorney observations and ruling analyses in this dataset, consulting with attorneys who have direct experience in Judge Rigby's courtroom is the most reliable way to supplement this profile before an appearance.

• important

  Research Public Case Records from Judge Rigby's Courtroom

  Review publicly available minute orders, transcripts, and docket entries from cases Judge Rigby has presided over in Madera Superior Court to identify procedural preferences and ruling tendencies not captured in this dataset.

• important

  Prepare for Formal Courtroom Decorum Standards

  Judge Rigby's documented order on courtroom conduct signals she enforces decorum through formal written orders. Ensure all parties, clients, and witnesses are briefed on courtroom conduct expectations before appearing.

• ›Comply with all formal courtroom management orders issued by Judge Rigby, including any directives regarding how parties, witnesses, or defendants are addressed — her documented order on pronoun usage confirms she enforces these standards formally.
• ›Treat all procedural directives as binding and enforceable; do not assume informal noncompliance will go unaddressed.
• ›In serious criminal matters, approach all hearings with full preparation on sentencing law and case facts, as Judge Rigby has demonstrated willingness to impose severe sentences including life terms.
• ›Arrive prepared to address novel or sensitive procedural issues directly; Judge Rigby has shown she will engage with and rule on such matters rather than deferring them.