Art W. McKinster, Associate Justice

Art W. McKinster, Associate JusticeNAME: Art W. McKinster

POSITION: Associate Justice, Court of Appeal, Fourth Appellate District, Division Two

PERSONAL

Married to a retired special education teacher. Two adult daughters

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND

  • Juris Doctorate Degree, University of California, Hastings College of the Law.
  • Bachelor of Science Degree with honors in Business Administration, University of Southern California.

PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND

  • Deputy District Attorney, San Bernardino County.  Trial lawyer prosecuting major felony crimes including numerous homicides.
  • Supervising Deputy District Attorney, San Bernardino County.  In charge of operations for the Central Municipal Court District and four Justice Courts.
  • Chief Deputy District Attorney.  In charge of the Ontario and Chino offices, supervising 22 attorneys and the secretarial and clerical staff.
  • Judge, San Bernardino County Municipal Court.
  • Judge, San Bernardino County Superior Court.  Served as Presiding Judge of Juvenile Court for 2 years.
  • Associate Justice, Fourth Appellate District, Division Two.  Nominated by the Governor and confirmed by the Commission on Judicial Nominees.
  • Served as an Associate Justice, pro tempore, California Supreme Court.

PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES

  • California District Attorneys Association.
  • California Judges Association.
  • San Bernardino County Bar Association, presently an honorary member.
  • California Commission on Judicial Performance, served as Presiding Master in the Commission's inquiry into allegations of ethical misconduct by a Superior Court judge.
  • Judicial Council's Task Force on the Appellate Process, member.
  • Judicial Council's Library Technology Committee, past member.
  • University of La Verne College of Law, Judge, moot court competitions.
  • Instructor in criminal law and procedure, San Bernardino County Sheriff's Academy.

COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES

  • Ontario Rotary Club, member and vice-president.
  • Home of Neighborly Service, a community service organization, board member.
  • San Bernardino Valley Community Concert Association, board member and vice-president.
  • San Bernardino City Commissions:  Bureau of Franchises, member; Animal Advisory Commission, member.
  • Pacific High School, San Bernardino, California, Coach of the mock trial team.
  • San Bernardino County Mock Trial Finals Competition, Judge.
  • Lay Person of the Year, Phi Delta Kappa educational fraternity, award for contributions to youth education.
  • Tachikawa, Japan, Sister City Student Exchange Program, board member.
  • Church:  Administrative Council, present chair; Endowment Fund, past chair; Staff Relations Committee, past chair; Finance Committee, past chair.

MILITARY

  • ROTC military science classes, University of California at Berkeley.
  • Commissioned, second lieutenant U.S. Army Reserve, Field Artillery.  Captain, 426th Civil Affairs Company, Upland, California, 8 years’ service.
  • Judge Advocate General's School, University of Virginia.  Branch transfer to JAG Corps after completion of studies.