---
title: "William Powell | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/william-powell-circuit-court-judge-alabama-eleventh-judicial-circuit-court-al"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-10-07"
---

# William Powell

Alabama Eleventh Judicial Circuit Court · Circuit Court Judge

## Profile

- Court: Alabama Eleventh Judicial Circuit Court
- State: Alabama
- Role: Circuit Court Judge
- Service status: active
- Last verified: 2026-07-29

## Summary

Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge.

## Before you appear

- Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed.
- Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance.
- Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding.

## Courtroom Rules

### media recording photography broadcasting

Scope: statewide

Alabama Rule of Criminal Procedure 9.4 permits televising, photographing, or radio broadcasting of judicial proceedings only as provided by Alabama judicial ethics canons, law, or another court rule.

Evidence excerpt: The taking of television pictures or other photographs in or of the courtroom during the progress of judicial proceedings or the radio broadcasting of judicial proceedings may be permitted as provided in Canon 3(A)(7) and (7B), Canons of Judicial Ethics, promulgated by the Alabama Supreme Court, or as otherwise may be permitted by law or other rule of court.

[Alabama Rule of Criminal Procedure 9.4: Televising, photographing, or radio broadcasting of judicial proceedings](https://judicial.alabama.gov/docs/library/rules/cr9_4.pdf)
Source checked: 2026-07-26


## Sources

- [Official profile](https://lauderdale.alacourt.gov/circuit-judges/)
- [Official roster](https://lauderdale.alacourt.gov/circuit-judges/)
- [Alabama Administrative Office of Courts official judicial roster](https://lauderdale.alacourt.gov/circuit-judges/)
- [Alabama Rule of Criminal Procedure 9.4: Televising, photographing, or radio broadcasting of judicial proceedings](https://judicial.alabama.gov/docs/library/rules/cr9_4.pdf)

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## Biography

### Professional career

- William Jefferson Powell IV is a judge on the Superior Court of San Bernardino County, California, appointed in 2006 and currently serving until 2027
- deputy district attorney for San Bernardino County (1995–2006)
- served as an adjunct professor at California Baptist University — 1997–2000
- Powell IV serves as a nonpartisan judge in the Superior Court of San Bernardino County, California, in the Criminal Division (Department S4)

### Education

- Bachelor’s degree: California State University, Northridge
- Juris Doctor (J.D.): Western State University College of Law

### Additional information

- Current status: Re-elected without appearing on the ballot in 2026 due to election cancellations
- He was appointed to the bench by former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in April 2006, filling the vacancy left by the retirement of Frederick A. Mandabach
- Admitted to the State Bar of California: June 1995



## Published courtroom rules

### Shared court rules

- [Alabama Rule of Criminal Procedure 9.4: Televising, photographing, or radio broadcasting of judicial proceedings](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-2bb56569e2cd3665169eeff4) — Scope is limited to the court class in the source claim. Criminal proceedings only.  Shared court context only; case-type restrictions, exceptions, later amendments and case orders apply. This is not a personal preference or a complete rules inventory. [Official source](https://judicial.alabama.gov/docs/library/rules/cr9_4.pdf). Collected 2026-07-26.