Poch�, known for his 21 years of work on the appeals court, now wants to return to his roots — on the Santa Clara Superior Court bench.

Poch�, who is living in North Carolina, has applied for a position on the 79-judge trial bench, which now has five vacancies. Poch� flew into San Jose on Monday to interview with the Santa Clara Bar Association’s judicial committee. His name has already been forwarded to the Judicial Nominees Evaluation Commission.