---
title: "Roger T. Benitez | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/roger-t-benitez-249"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-10-09"
---

# Roger T. Benitez

U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California · U.S. District Judge

## Profile

- Court: U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California
- State: California
- Role: U.S. District Judge
- Service status: former
- Last verified: 2026-06-30

## Biography

### Professional career

- Judge, District Court, S.D. California, 2004-present
- Roger Thomas Benitez is a former United States District Judge for the Southern District of California, appointed by President George W. Bush in 2004 and serving until his retirement in April 2026
- U.S. Magistrate Judge, U.S. District Court, Southern District of California, 2001-2004
- Judge, Superior Court of California, County of Imperial, 1997-2001
- Private practice, Imperial County, CA, 1978-1997
- Roger Thomas Benitez is a former United States district judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of California

### Education

- San Diego State University — B.A. (1974)
- A.A. — San Diego State University-Imperial Valley Campus — 1971
- Western State College of Law

### Additional information

- Revered by some as “Saint Benitez” in pro–Second Amendment circles, he also faced criticism, notably for a 2023 incident involving the shackling of a minor.
- Instructor, Imperial Valley College, 1998-1999
- Born December 30, 1950.
- Date of birth: 1950-01-01
- A Cuban immigrant and participant in Operation Peter Pan, he became known for striking down several California gun control laws and controversial rulings, including cases on assault weapons, large-capacity magazines, and school transgender policies.
- He presided over high-profile multidistrict, class action, patent, and constitutional cases, and now works as a mediator and arbitrator for ADR Services, Inc.
- Thomas Jefferson School of Law
- Birth place: Havana, Cuba

## Sources

- [Official profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/249/roger-t-benitez/)
- [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/249/roger-t-benitez/)
- [U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/249/roger-t-benitez/)
- [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/249/roger-t-benitez/)
- [Benitez, Roger T.](https://www.fjc.gov/history/judges/benitez-roger-t)
- [Wikidata: Roger Benitez](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q15043102)

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