The Honorable Kevin G. DeNoce, Judge of the Superior Court of California, County of Ventura, retired on August 22, 2026. Judge DeNoce was appointed to the position of Court Commissioner in 2007. In 2008, he was elevated to the office of Judge by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. In his 19-year career at the Court, Judge DeNoce served as Supervising Judge of the Civil Division, Assistant Presiding Judge, and Presiding Judge. He served in the Family Law, Criminal, Civil, Juvenile and Appellate Divisions of the Court. In 2017, the Ventura County Trial Lawyers Association named Judge DeNoce the Judge of the Year.
During his tenure on the bench, Judge DeNoce presided over hundreds of jury trials in criminal and civil cases, including many high profile and complex cases. He was known for his preparation, legal acumen, and case management expertise. An advocate of technology in the courtroom, Judge DeNoce pioneered the use of remote video appearances during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the use of Power Point in jury selection and instruction. He was instrumental in the Court’s implementation of the Electronic Search Warrant system which permits judges to review and approve search warrants submitted by law enforcement agencies electronically, thus speeding up the process and saving thousands of hours of law enforcement personnel time each year. Judge DeNoce served as a mentor and resource for numerous judges. Additionally, Judge DeNoce served on the Central Coast Judicial Selection Advisory Committee which advised Judicial Appointments Secretary Luis Cespedes concerning applicants for judicial appointments.
Prior to his appointment to the bench, Judge DeNoce served as a prosecuting attorney with the Ventura County District Attorney from 1987 to 1996. During his time in the District Attorney’s Office, Judge DeNoce was the Supervising Attorney of the Appellate Division from 1992 to 1996, and a Senior Deputy District Attorney from 1994 to 1996. After leaving the District Attorney’s Office, Judge DeNoce was a partner in the Law Offices of Andrade & DeNoce from 1996 to 2003, and then a sole practitioner in the Law Officers of Kevin G. DeNoce, both in the community of Ventura. In private practice, Judge DeNoce specialized in criminal defense, DUI defense, criminal appeals and writs, personal injury and administrative law.
Judge DeNoce earned his bachelor’s degree in Comparative Religions and Philosophy from the University of Colorado at Boulder. He received his juris doctorate degree from Pepperdine University School of Law.
With the retirement of Judge DeNoce, the Court loses one of its most experienced and respected judges. The Court wishes Judge DeNoce the very best upon the occasion of his well-earned retirement.