The U.S. Senate on Wednesday confirmed federal prosecutor Kirk Sherriff to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California, adding a much-awaited second Article III judge to the Fresno courthouse.
The 55-45 confirmation vote was taken almost two months after Chief Judge Kimberly Mueller announced an emergency civil case throttling plan in Fresno amid an overwhelming caseload and a chronic judicial vacancy.

Kirk Edward Sherriff testifies before the Senate Judiciary Committee during his confirmation hearing to be U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of California, on Wednesday, November 29, 2023. Photo: Diego M. Radzinschi/ALM

