San Francisco Superior Court Judge Ronald E. Albers announced his retirement from the bench February 3 after a 41-year career as a judge, commissioner, public defender, sole practitioner, and civil rights advocate.
Albers began his judicial career as a commissioner in 2002, where he presided over Drug Court and Proposition 36 Court, as well as various felony and misdemeanor cases.
He was appointed a judge by then-Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2009, and was the first openly gay judge appointed by a Republican governor. Albers served in many capacities at the Hall of Justice, the Civic Center Courthouse, and the Polk Street Annex.
"Judge Albers' positivity and compassion for those who appeared before him is an inspiration to his colleagues on the San Francisco bench," presiding Judge Teri L. Jackson said in a news release sent by the court. "He was deeply committed to stopping the revolving door for those who suffered from mental illness and substance abuse involved in the criminal justice system."
Jackson also said that Albers "was instrumental" in shaping the collaborative courts "into the successful and nationally recognized programs they are today."
"Judge Albers was a devoted and hard-working judge and will be missed greatly," Jackson added.
Collaborative courts combine judicial supervision with rehabilitation services that are rigorously monitored and focused on recovery to reduce recidivism and improve offender outcomes, according to the California courts website.
During his tenure Albers has been the only judge who has presided over most of San Francisco's adult collaborative courts, including Back on Track, Behavioral Health Court, Drug Court, and the Community Justice Center.
It was Albers, along with city officials, who spearheaded the CJC in 2007. It opened two years later.
"Judge Albers was one of the architects of the CJC, and because of his invaluable and dedicated efforts during its planning and implementation, the program continues to flourish and expand to better serve the needs of the community," Lisa Lightman, director of collaborative courts, said in the release.
Focused on improving outcomes for defendants and communities from the bench, it was Albers' goal to change the way the court helps underserved populations in the criminal justice system, including those who are mentally ill or drug addicted.
"You can't punish someone out of an addiction or a mental illness," Albers stated in the release. "As a judge, it was my job to make decisions that improve people's lives while protecting public safety."
He added that he focused on leveraging better outcomes for people "through engagement with the court, and engagement with their treatment plan."
"It is my heartfelt belief that collaborative treatment courts are the best weapon in protecting public safety and saving lives," Albers added.
San Francisco Public Defender Jeff Adachi praised Albers' service.
"Judge Albers was a mentor to me when I was coming up in the public defender's office, and he was a role model for us in terms of providing excellent representation to his clients," Adachi said in an email to the Bay Area Reporter. "As a judge, he helped pioneer the Community Justice Center and was a huge supporter of the collaborative courts. He also was a staunch defender of the constitutional rights of all of those who appeared before him, and was compassionate and patient with everyone. His absence on the bench will be deeply felt."
Rebecca Prozan, a lesbian who used to be a prosecutor in the DA's office, said she did not appear in front of Albers.
"What I can say is that judge Albers epitomized what judges are supposed to be: tough, compassionate and fair minded," Prozan said in an email. "Whether you agreed with him or you didn't, you always knew you would get someone who would hear both sides and make a decision. He will be missed at the hall."
Douglas B. Marlowe, Ph.D., senior scientific consultant for the National Association for Drug Court Professionals, said Albers displayed "commitment and passion" for collaborative courts.
"As academicians and researchers, it is tough to relay our messages to the field, and he heard and applied those messages with clarity and zeal," Marlowe said in a statement.
Albers served on various statewide committees and organizations, which included: chair for the Commission on Judicial Nominees Evaluation; member of the state bar's board of governors; member of the California Judicial Council; and member of the California Collaborative Court Advisory Committee.
He was a founding board member and former co-chair of Bay Area Lawyers for Individual Freedom, a Bay Area-based LGBT bar association.
From 1978 to 2002, Albers served as a trial attorney, then head attorney, for the San Francisco Public Defender's office. From 1978 to 1979, Albers was a trial attorney with Legal Services for Children. In 1974, he was a sole practitioner.
Albers earned his juris doctorate degree from the University of Wisconsin Law School and a bachelor's degree from Cornell College.