Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger played it safe when he announced four judicial appointments Friday.

The appointments of Sacramento County Superior Court Judge Tani Cantil-Sakauye to the Third District Court of Appeal, attorneys Clifford Cretan and John “Jack” Grandsaert to San Mateo County Superior Court, and Brian McCabe to the Merced County Superior Court represent the Republican governor’s first judicial selections since taking office a year ago.