San Diego, California — Judge Ana España of San Diego County has been awarded the prestigious Wilmont Sweeney Juvenile Court Judge of the Year for 2025 by the Juvenile Court Judges of California, a division of the California Judges Association. The award was presented during the JCJC’s annual meeting on May 15.
Named after the late Alameda Superior Court Judge Wilmont Sweeney, this honor recognizes judges who demonstrate exceptional leadership and a commitment to serving California’s youth. Judge España, who has presided over the juvenile court since 2018, was appointed to the bench in 2008 by former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. Before her judicial career, she was a deputy public defender in San Diego County, where she specialized in representing children in dependency cases.
Promoting a “Kin-First” approach, Judge España emphasizes the importance of placing children with relatives and extended family whenever possible. This initiative aims to mitigate the emotional distress caused by parental separation. Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero noted this focus in her 2025 State of the Judiciary Address, highlighting a significant 10% rise in safe family placements within the county.
“Placement with kin, whenever feasible, is crucial for a child’s well-being and helps ease the transition during difficult times,” Judge España stated. “I appreciate the efforts of my colleagues and justice partners in increasing kin placements, and I look forward to fostering further improvements together.”
In addition to her efforts in the courtroom, Judge España hosts town hall meetings and collaborates closely with local agencies and Native American tribes. She has expressed the importance of integrating culturally appropriate services, believing that such partnerships enhance trust and relevance for the youth and families involved.
To address challenges within the juvenile court system, Judge España established the Youth Justice Collaborative in San Diego County, a forum aimed at fostering communication among justice partners. She also leads the San Diego County Child and Family Strengthening Advisory Board, which aims to promote cross-sector collaboration for the benefit of children and families in the child welfare system.
“Judge España exemplifies the values of compassion, integrity, and visionary leadership,” said Presiding Judge Maureen Hallahan of the San Diego Superior Court. “Her influence extends well beyond San Diego, making her a respected leader in California. She continually works to shape juvenile law and policy, prioritizing the welfare of youth.”
Beyond her bench responsibilities, Judge España serves as chair for both the JCJC and the Juvenile Court Policy Committee of the California Child Welfare Council. She is also a member of the Judicial Council’s Family and Juvenile Law Advisory Committee, as well as the Juvenile Law Curriculum Committee for the Center for Judicial Education and Research.
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