Roger Benitez

Roger Thomas Benitez (born December 30, 1950) is a senior United States district judge of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California. He is known for his rulings striking down several California gun control laws. Early life and education Born in Havana, Cuba, Benitez received an Associate of Arts degree from Imperial Valley College in 1971, a Bachelor of Arts degree from San Diego State University in 1974, and a Juris Doctor from the Western State University College of Law's San Diego campus (now the Thomas Jefferson School of Law) in 1978. Legal career Benitez worked in private practice in Imperial County, California, from 1978 to 1997. He was a judge on the California Superior Court from 1997 to 2001, and an instructor for Imperial Valley College from 1998 to 1999. Federal judicial service In 2001, Benitez was appointed by the United States District Court for the Southern District of California to serve as a United States magistrate judge. On May 1, 2003, he was nominated by President George W. Bush to a new seat on the Southern District of California created by 116 Stat. 1758. Benitez was confirmed by the United States Senate on June 17, 2004, by a 98–1 vote. The only vote in opposition came from Dick Durbin of Illinois. Benitez received his commission on June 21, 2004.