Judge Richard M. Goul

Judge Richard M. Goul has served on the Los Angeles County Superior Court since his appointment by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger on March 29, 2006, filling the vacancy created by the death of Judge Robert Sandoval. His pre-bench career was defined by 17 years as a Deputy District Attorney for the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office, where he prosecuted serious violent and sexual crimes, including the conviction of Mark Wayne Rathburn (the Belmont Shore rapist), who received 10 life sentences plus 1,000 years. He ultimately served as Deputy-in-Charge of the Sexual Assault Unit at the Long Beach branch office before ascending to the bench. His educational background includes a B.A. from the University of Southern California and a J.D. from Loyola Law School. Judge Goul's career trajectory is rooted entirely in criminal prosecution and public service. His 17-year tenure as a prosecutor, culminating in a supervisory leadership role, reflects sustained engagement with serious felony matters, particularly violent and sexual assault crimes. His court at Stanley Mosk Courthouse has handled high-profile criminal matters, including a murder trial involving a former Long Beach Unified safety officer. His public service background also includes six years on the Cerritos College Board of Trustees beginning in 1979, demonstrating a long record of civic engagement predating his legal career. Because no analyzed rulings, attorney observations, or ingested content are available, behavioral and procedural patterns cannot be drawn from case data. The intelligence in this profile is derived exclusively from verified biographical, appointment, and career history records. Attorneys should treat this profile as a foundational background brief and supplement it with direct courtroom observation before high-stakes appearances.

Judge Goul's entire pre-bench career was spent in criminal prosecution, with a specialization in violent and sexual assault crimes. Attorneys appearing before him in criminal matters — particularly those involving violent offenses — should recognize that he brings deep subject-matter familiarity to these proceedings. Prosecutors can expect a judge who understands the mechanics of criminal investigation and charging decisions from the inside. Defense attorneys should be prepared for a judge who is well-versed in prosecutorial strategy and will not be easily misled by arguments that mischaracterize standard prosecutorial practice. Given his supervisory role as Deputy-in-Charge of a branch office, Judge Goul has demonstrated organizational leadership and administrative responsibility. Attorneys should present arguments in a structured, organized manner and ensure that filings are procedurally complete and well-organized. His background suggests familiarity with the demands of managing complex caseloads, which may translate to an expectation of efficiency and preparedness from counsel. No ruling data or attorney observations are available to identify specific procedural preferences, motion practice tendencies, or evidentiary rulings patterns. Attorneys should conduct direct courtroom observation and consult colleagues with recent experience in his courtroom before making assumptions about his judicial temperament or procedural preferences beyond what his career record directly supports.

• critical

  Conduct Direct Courtroom Observation

  With no ruling analyses or attorney observations available, direct observation of Judge Goul's courtroom is the most critical preparation step. Attend hearings before your appearance to assess his procedural expectations, demeanor, and courtroom management style.

• critical

  Research His Criminal Docket Thoroughly

  Given his exclusive pre-bench background in criminal prosecution, attorneys in criminal matters should review any publicly available docket entries and case outcomes from his courtroom to identify procedural patterns not captured in this profile.

• important

  Prepare for a Prosecution-Literate Bench

  Defense counsel should prepare arguments that account for a judge with 17 years of prosecutorial experience, including supervisory responsibility. Avoid arguments that rely on the judge being unfamiliar with standard prosecutorial methods or charging decisions.

• important

  Ensure Procedural Completeness of All Filings

  His background as a branch office supervisor suggests familiarity with procedural standards. All filings should be complete, properly formatted, and submitted on time to avoid any adverse impression.

• important

  Consult Colleagues with Recent Courtroom Experience

  Seek out attorneys who have recently appeared before Judge Goul to obtain firsthand accounts of his courtroom preferences, since no attorney observation data is available in this profile.

• ›Arrive fully prepared on procedural and substantive issues; his supervisory prosecutorial background reflects an expectation of professional competence and efficiency.
• ›Present arguments in a structured and organized manner consistent with the standards of a judge who managed a branch office and complex violent crime prosecutions.
• ›Treat the proceedings with the seriousness appropriate to a judge whose career was built on the most serious categories of criminal offenses; avoid casual or dismissive treatment of factual or legal issues.
• ›Verify current courtroom-specific rules and standing orders directly with the court, as no behavioral data from this courtroom is available in this profile.