Judge Barbara J. Beck

Judge Beck is a native Mississippian who first came to California in 1964, where she served in the United States Air Force as a medic. While still in the service she attended law school at night and graduated from Citrus Belt Law School in Riverside, California, in June, 1974. After being sworn in to practice law in December, 1974, she began her legal work as a Deputy Public Defender in the Riverside Public Defender’s Office. She moved to Santa Maria in May, 1979, where she joined the Santa Barbara County Public Defender’s Office. Shortly thereafter she was appointed as the Assistant Public Defender for North County.

In April, 1984, Governor Deukmejian appointed her to the Santa Maria Municipal Court. She became a Superior Court Judge on August 3, 1998. Judge Beck has been an instructor at the Police Academy and at the California Judicial College.