Philip S. Gutierrez
American judge (born 1959)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Philip Steven Gutierrez (born October 13, 1959)[1] is an American lawyer who is a former United States district judge of the United States District Court for the Central District of California.
Philip S. Gutierrez | |
|---|---|
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| Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Central District of California | |
| In office June 26, 2020 – March 30, 2024 | |
| Preceded by | Cormac J. Carney |
| Succeeded by | Dolly Gee |
| Judge of the United States District Court for the Central District of California | |
| In office February 16, 2007 – October 22, 2024 | |
| Appointed by | George W. Bush |
| Preceded by | Terry J. Hatter Jr. |
| Succeeded by | Cynthia Valenzuela Dixon |
| Judge of the Los Angeles County Superior Court | |
| In office 1997–2007 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Philip Steven Gutierrez October 13, 1959 Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Education | University of Notre Dame (BA) University of California, Los Angeles (JD) |
Early life and education
Gutierrez was born in Los Angeles. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Notre Dame in 1981 and a Juris Doctor from UCLA School of Law in 1984. Gutierrez was in private practice in California from 1986 to 1997. He is of Mexican American descent.[2]
Judicial service
Gutierrez was a judge on the Los Angeles County Superior Court from 1997 to 2007. On January 9, 2007, Gutierrez was nominated by President George W. Bush to serve as a United States district judge of the United States District Court for the Central District of California. He was nominated to a seat vacated by Judge Terry J. Hatter Jr. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on January 30, 2007, and received his commission on February 16, 2007.[3] He became chief judge on June 26, 2020,[4] after Cormac J. Carney ended his short tenure as chief judge following controversy. Gutierrez's term as chief judge ended on March 30, 2024.[5] He retired from active service on October 22, 2024.[3]
Xbox modding case
Gutierrez heard the trial of Xbox modding defendant Matthew Crippen, a DMCA related case. Gutierrez criticized the prosecution after the federal government brought witnesses that illegally recorded Crippen and admitted to previously modifying Xbox consoles themselves.[6] The government ultimately chose to dismiss the case, citing these issues with the witnesses presented in the early stages of the trial.[7]