JUDGE CAFFESE REPORT CARD 

Teresa Caffese was appointed to the Superior Court by former Governor Jerry Brown and assumed office in November 2017.  Judge Caffese earned her B.A. from the University of California, Berkeley in 1992 and her J.D. from the University of California, Hastings Law School in 1985.  She began her legal career as an associate at Laughlin, Falbo, Levy and Moresi in 1986.  The following year she joined the Office of the Public Defender of San Francisco County, specializing in cases involving forensic analysis and interpretation and mental competency issues. Her current term ends on January 6, 2025.   

Grade: INSUFFICIENT INFORMATION TO GRADE 

Survey Rating: Judge Caffese earned a moderate average survey rating of 4.7 from trial attorneys who closely observe the courts. Her highest rating was for knowledge of the law.  Ratings are on a scale of 1 to 7, with 7 the highest score.

Refused to answer any questions posed to judges regarding voter education, appeals of their decisions, published writings, judicial application, etc. 

Case History: Judge Caffese presided over few narcotics sales cases during the short period of our study.  

Example: None. 

Comments from Court Observers: No relevant comments. 

Appeals: No relevant appeals. 

Media reports: 

Judge Caffese orders defendant held on kidnapping/burglary charges in attack on tenant near Embarcadero (after prior judge released him):

https://www.sfchronicle.com/crime/article/SF-Embarcadero-attack-Victim-testifies-man-14447376.php   

Judge Caffese presides over assault case of skateboarder who left security guard with brain injury; appears to side with DA against defendant’s self-defense argument: https://www.sfchronicle.com/crime/article/Security-guard-left-with-brain-injury-after-fight-13509942.php 

No ruling on DA investigator allegation of being forced into unethical activity by DA Boudin’s office in prosecution of police officer

·         https://www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/San-Francisco-judge-unmoved-by-testimony-that-16812327.php  

In same case, Judge Caffese admits evidence of domestic violence charge against victim (despite not being arrested or tried) over defense objection: https://www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/You-can-t-be-scared-to-lose-San-16987769.php  

In same case, Judge Caffese criticizes DA plan to retry police officer after his acquittal: https://missionlocal.org/2022/03/judge-stangel-case-rips-prosecution/?utm_source=Mission+Local&utm_campaign=a5bf3a8fa6-MLNewsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_05b141c840-a5bf3a8fa6-220988835 

DA’s office decides not to re-try the case: https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/Prosecutors-to-dismiss-last-charge-against-SFPD-16990545.php