Sean Dabel

Able Dable. Wow. He has really excelled as the Supervising Family Law Judge. He created the Settlement Conference Officer program, the Judge Pro Tem trainings. He is helping get cases moving. He is making things happen in a way they have not in a very long time. He is motivated, smart, receptive, and so smart. I can only hope that the Family Law Bar has the privilege of having Judge Dabel supervise family law for longer than two years. He is a treasure and has done so much for the litigants in family law. He is tough but so compassionate and really is looking out for the underrepresented in our County.

DEFENSE BAR: AVOID AT ALL COSTS Dabel, unlike most former DAs who become judges, leans heavily in favor of the prosecution, as others have noted. He ignores the DA’s mistakes, instinctively rules in the their favor regardless of the facts or law, and generally shows a condescending attitude toward the defense. He is a manchild on a power trip, who no one taught to mind his manners. In terms of judicial temperament, I have never seen someone so unfit in any jurisdiction.

I also agree with all the people here who gave him Rating: 1.0 I have the same point of views about him. It's been very painful experiences to deal with him at Court. Judge Dabel is very biased in my case. He never prepared well before any of my hearings. He abused his discretion on many occasions. He had made so many mistakes and refused to admit them or correct them. He allowed the false testimonies, bad faith without any sanctions. Judge Dabel should learn more CCP, CRC in order to rule correctly.

Judge Dabel is an amazing, unbiased judge that can see through shit and not playing around wasting time, he is smart, fast and knows what’s going on with fast effective decisions! He is one of the best judge I’ve seen in many family courts, sadly he is no longer in family court… Wish he’s back to family court and all the family judges are like him!

Judge Dabel is an amazing, unbiased judge that can see through shit and not playing around wasting time, he is smart, fast and knows what’s going on with fast effective decisions! He is one of the best judge I’ve seen in many family courts, sadly he is no longer in family court… Wish he’s back to family court and all the family judges are like him!

I previously posted on 4/8/20, 6/20/20 and 12/23/21. This post is in response to Criminal Defense Lawyer's post of 1/23/22. Because Judge Dabel came from the District Attorney's Office, he MIGHT be able to function legally and ethically in Criminal Law Matters; however, he is incapable or unwilling to do so in Family Law Matters, which enjoy none of the constitutional protections of Criminal Law. I have a dear attorney friend who represents criminal defendants, including double homicides. He said to me that he will never step foot in the absurdity and illegality that is Family Law Court, with its reliance on quadruple hearsay and complete lack of Constitutional Protections and Rules of Evidence. He said that at least his criminally charged clients have rights. Women and children who find themselves in Family Law Court have none. To be at the mercy of a Judge's biases and bigotries in Family Law Court is completely unacceptable and disgraceful. And your lack of understanding that Criminal Law and Family Law are two completely different "animals" can only stem from lack of information or lack of concern. Neither is acceptable. Yes, new Judges start in Family Law Court, because women and children do not matter in our society (and I have the "hearing" transcripts to prove it). And for the new Judges to prove themselves as part of the Patriarchy (and yes, even if they are female), they are sent to Family Law Court to put women and children in their place. This is my opinion, based on decades of evidence, both as an attorney and as a party in Family Law Court.

A recent addition to San Mateo County. Young and conscientious. I understand San Mateo sends new judges to start in Family Court. Judge Dabel made every effort to understand the matter and make an equitable ruling. We need fair UNBIASED judges in the Bay Area. This judge is one of them. I'm encouraged because It looks like San Mateo County added one or two more who aren't afraid of Herr Wagstaffe and will simply treat attorneys and clients with respect and will call balls and strikes.

I previously posted on 4/8/20 and 6/20/20. Given recent postings, I am providing the public with detailed information regarding the consequences of Judge Dabel's Ex Parte Ruling forcing my minor daughter returned to Spring Ridge Academy in Mayer, Arizona. (Judge Dabel had no prior experience with our case, as our entire divorce was handled by a private Judge employed by JAMS.) The misuse of Ex Parte Motions in Family Law Court is well known and epidemic, daily exploited by Family Law Attorneys. Ex Parte Motions should be used solely for actual emergencies to prevent imminent and irreparable damage. Instead, it's used to cause the exact type of damage it was designed to prevent. Rather than respect the Rules of Evidence designed to insure honesty, Ex Parte Motions dangerously rely on unproven hearsay. Frankly, it's a lazy shortcut used by the Family Law Industry. Justice and Equity require rigor. Below is a link to my Complaint in Arizona Federal Court against Spring Ridge Academy in Mayer, Arizona. This lawsuit (and all described occurrences after February 3, 2020) would never have occurred if Judge Dabel had simply followed all applicable laws, existing orders and court-ordered recommendations. Our Judges should be called to serve, not seek to rule. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dBzld_SDI5tcD1ndr2pccEbL1cpP7MLy/view

Judge Dabel is an excellent jurist and takes his job very seriously. He reads everything and doesn't take sides.

Judge Dabel was fair and reputable once but over the last 2.5 years he has been gradually corrupted by the system and some dishonest and manipulative attorneys. He rescheduled a status conference 5 times and rubber stamped a court order prepared by an attorney who lied. It is very disappointing to say the least to see a judge lacking discernment of character and personalities of attorneys, siding with the dishonest and sacrificing justice, even if he needs to have a good working relationship with such attorneys. It is now clear why victory, not justice, belongs to those who have $ and are willing to pay attorneys to lie and kiss up to the judge for them.