Judge Ricky Tripp

  • Appointed by: Governor Gavin Newsom (December 2020)
  • Education: San Joaquin College of Law (J.D., 2001)
  • Bar admission: California (admitted 2001)
  • Courtroom assignment: Department 10, Visalia Division (North County criminal jurisdiction)
  • Primary case types: Felony criminal cases (North County)
  • Prior legal experience: Tulare County Superior Court Commissioner (2019–2020); Supervising Deputy District Attorney, Tulare County (2006–2019); Associate at local law firms (2001–2006)
  • Political affiliation: No party preference (unaffiliated)

Education

Tripp earned his Juris Doctor from San Joaquin College of Law. He was admitted to practice law in California in 2001. (Tripp’s undergraduate degree is listed as a B.S. in Political Science from California State University, Fresno, though details are not provided in public sources.)

Legal Career

After law school, Tripp worked in private practice in Visalia. From 2001 to 2002 he was an associate at the Law Office of John A. Barker & Associates, then an associate at Sawl & Netzer (2002–2003), and at Nelson, Rozier & Bettencourt (2003–2006). In 2006 he joined the Tulare County District Attorney’s Office, where he served in the criminal division. He spent over a decade there and rose to the rank of Supervising Deputy District Attorney by 2019. In 2019 he was appointed a commissioner of the Tulare County Superior Court, handling preliminary judicial duties until his elevation to the bench.

Judicial Appointment

Governor Gavin Newsom appointed Ricky Tripp to the Tulare County Superior Court in December 2020. The official announcement noted his prior service as a court commissioner and as a long-time Tulare County prosecutor. Tripp filled a newly created judgeship on the court. The press release also recorded that he was “registered without party preference” at the time of his appointment, meaning he had no formal political party affiliation.

Current Assignment

Judge Tripp’s current courtroom is Department 10 in the Visalia Division of the Tulare County Superior Court. He is assigned to North County criminal jurisdiction, hearing felony information cases for defendants from Visalia, Exeter, and Dinuba. His responsibilities include arraignments, pretrial motions and conferences, trial confirmation hearings, jury trials and sentencing in felony matters. He also presides monthly over the North County Veterans Court (a military diversion program) as part of his docket.

Judicial Philosophy

Tripp has not publicly detailed a specific judicial philosophy in writings or speeches. Media coverage describes him as a down-to-earth judge. For example, the Daily Journal ran a profile of him under the headline “A Regular Guy,” highlighting his humble background. This portrayal suggests that he brings a practical, community-oriented approach to the bench and relates personally to people from similar backgrounds, though he has not explicitly articulated these views in official statements.

Community Involvement

Tripp is a native of Visalia and has deep roots in Tulare County. Beyond his legal career, however, there is little public information about his community or civic activities. His official biography and news reports focus on his judicial and prosecutorial roles rather than nonprofit or civic service. As a local resident and public servant, Tripp is presumed to maintain connections in the area, but specific organizations or causes he may support are not documented in available sources.