Murrieta, Temecula Attorneys Appointed To Judicial Seats

SOUTHWEST RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — A prosecutor, public defender and corporate attorney were appointed to Riverside County judicial posts, the governor's office announced Friday.

Deputy District Attorney Sean Crandell, 48, of Temecula, was appointed to fill a vacancy resulting from the creation of a judgeship in 2019. Crandell, a Democrat, has been with the DA's office since 1996, serving time as a law clerk prior to being promoted to prosecutor.

Deputy Public Defender Joshua Knight, 44, of Murrieta, was appointed to fill the seat previously held by Judge Rebecca Dugan, who was on the bench at the Banning Justice Center before her recent retirement.

Prior to starting his stint at the Riverside County Public Defender's Office in 2007, Knight, who declined to declare a political party preference, served in the Kern County Public Defender's Office for two years.

Attorney Elena Wood, 45, of Murrieta, was appointed to fill a vacancy stemming from the creation of a judgeship in 2019. Wood, a Democrat, is with the real estate law firm Reid & Hellyer, where she has been since 2016. Prior to that, she was a sole practitioner.

The annual compensation for each position is $223,829, according to the governor's office.