Judge Rasheed Alexander

Judge Rasheed Alexander serves on the San Bernardino County Superior Court, stationed in Joshua Tree, and was appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom on December 23, 2022. He received his legal education at Western State College of Law. His publicly documented case history reflects a focus on serious criminal matters, including a July 2024 sentencing of 48 years to life for attempted murder by fire and a January 2025 sentencing of 25 years to life in connection with the death of a toddler in Yucca Valley. He also denied a mistrial motion in a case involving efforts to overturn prior convictions in December of the same period. Judge Alexander has been publicly described, in a March 2024 Daily Journal profile, as embracing technology in court proceedings while prioritizing fairness. These two documented characteristics — technological openness and a stated commitment to fairness — represent the clearest available signals of his judicial orientation. His sentencing record in the cases documented reflects adherence to serious sentencing outcomes in violent criminal matters. Because Judge Alexander was appointed in late 2022, his tenure on the bench is relatively short, and the available data on his rulings is limited to a small number of high-profile criminal cases. Attorneys should treat the insights derived from this profile as directional rather than comprehensive, and should actively monitor new rulings as his record develops.

Given Judge Alexander's documented comfort with technology in court proceedings, attorneys appearing before him should be prepared to use and present technology-assisted evidence, exhibits, or filings without hesitation. Resistance to or poor preparation around courtroom technology tools could reflect negatively on counsel's credibility. Attorneys should ensure all digital exhibits are properly formatted and ready for presentation. The documented sentencing outcomes in Judge Alexander's criminal cases — 48 years to life and 25 years to life in separate violent crime matters — reflect serious treatment of violent offenses. Defense attorneys in criminal matters, particularly those involving violence, should approach sentencing arguments with thorough mitigation packages and should not underestimate the court's willingness to impose substantial sentences. Prosecutors should be aware that the judge has engaged with contested procedural motions, such as the denied mistrial motion, suggesting careful attention to procedural integrity. The Daily Journal's characterization of Judge Alexander as prioritizing fairness suggests that well-reasoned, balanced arguments grounded in the record are the appropriate approach. Attorneys should focus on clear, factually supported arguments rather than rhetorical excess, and should demonstrate respect for the court's process.

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  Prepare Technology-Ready Exhibits and Filings

  Judge Alexander is documented as embracing courtroom technology. Ensure all exhibits are in digital format, properly organized, and tested before the hearing. Failure to use available technology tools or presenting disorganized digital materials could undermine credibility.

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  Build Comprehensive Sentencing Mitigation in Violent Cases

  The judge's documented sentencing record in violent criminal matters reflects substantial outcomes. Defense counsel must prepare thorough mitigation packages with supporting documentation, character evidence, and legal arguments well in advance of sentencing hearings.

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  Research Current Docket for Non-Criminal Matters

  Available data is limited to serious criminal cases. Attorneys appearing in civil, family law, or other non-criminal matters should independently research any available rulings or orders from Judge Alexander's current docket to supplement this profile.

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  Prepare Rigorous Legal Basis for Any Mistrial Motion

  The documented denial of a mistrial motion indicates the judge scrutinizes such requests carefully. Any mistrial motion must be supported by a thorough factual record and precise legal authority.

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  Review Daily Journal March 2024 Profile

  The Daily Journal published a profile of Judge Alexander in March 2024 addressing his judicial philosophy. Attorneys should locate and review this article for additional context on his approach to the bench.

• ›Be fully prepared to use courtroom technology; Judge Alexander has been identified as embracing technology in proceedings and attorneys should not be caught unprepared with analog-only materials.
• ›Present arguments in a balanced, record-grounded manner consistent with the judge's publicly stated priority of fairness.
• ›Treat all procedural motions with seriousness and full legal support; the judge's denial of a mistrial motion reflects careful procedural scrutiny.
• ›Demonstrate respect for the court's process and the record; avoid rhetorical overreach unsupported by the facts in evidence.