Rodney Melville
Encyclopedia
Rodney Melville is a presiding judge in Santa Barbara County's superior court
. He is most notable for being the judge in Michael Jackson
's 2005 child molestion trial
, in which Jackson was acquitted.
and Hastings College of the Law, University of California.
Melville became an attorney for the firm Melville & Iwasko and became a State Certified Specialist in Family Law
. He served as a Deputy District Attorney in the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office for two years.
In 1987, Melville was appointed to the Municipal Court Bench in 1987. After three years he was promoted to the Superior Court.
Melville retired as a judge for the Superior Court in 2007, having served 17 years.
was accused of child molestation by a 13 year old boy. The case went to court
and Melville was appointed the presiding judge. Prior to the start of the trial, Melville banned cameras from the courtroom, put a gag order on both sides and oversaw a three-day jury selection
procedure.
Superior Courts of California
The Superior Courts of California are the superior courts in the U.S. state of California with general jurisdiction to hear and decide any civil or criminal action which is not specially designated to be heard in some other court or before a government agency...
. He is most notable for being the judge in Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson
Michael Joseph Jackson was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. Referred to as the King of Pop, or by his initials MJ, Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records...
's 2005 child molestion trial
People v. Jackson
People vs. Jackson was a 2005 trial involving recording artist Michael Jackson. The accuser was a boy, Gavin Arvizo, who was 13 years old at the time of the alleged crimes...
, in which Jackson was acquitted.
Biography
Melville studied at San Diego State UniversitySan Diego State University
San Diego State University , founded in 1897 as San Diego Normal School, is the largest and oldest higher education facility in the greater San Diego area , and is part of the California State University system...
and Hastings College of the Law, University of California.
Melville became an attorney for the firm Melville & Iwasko and became a State Certified Specialist in Family Law
Family law
Family law is an area of the law that deals with family-related issues and domestic relations including:*the nature of marriage, civil unions, and domestic partnerships;...
. He served as a Deputy District Attorney in the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office for two years.
In 1987, Melville was appointed to the Municipal Court Bench in 1987. After three years he was promoted to the Superior Court.
Melville retired as a judge for the Superior Court in 2007, having served 17 years.
People v. Jackson
In 2005, Michael JacksonMichael Jackson
Michael Joseph Jackson was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. Referred to as the King of Pop, or by his initials MJ, Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records...
was accused of child molestation by a 13 year old boy. The case went to court
People v. Jackson
People vs. Jackson was a 2005 trial involving recording artist Michael Jackson. The accuser was a boy, Gavin Arvizo, who was 13 years old at the time of the alleged crimes...
and Melville was appointed the presiding judge. Prior to the start of the trial, Melville banned cameras from the courtroom, put a gag order on both sides and oversaw a three-day jury selection
Jury selection
Jury selection are many methods used to choose the people who will serve on a trial jury. The jury pool is first selected from among the community using a reasonably random method. The prospective jurors are then questioned in court by the judge and/or attorneys...
procedure.