Edward A Panelli

California Supreme Court Justice Edward A. Panelli, his eyes filled with tears, announced Wednesday that he will retire from the high court Jan. 31, a move that gives Gov. Pete Wilson a politically volatile vacancy to fill in an election year. "After eight years," said Panelli, 61, dressed in his long black judicial robes, "some of this stuff starts to lose some of its attractiveness and appeal."

California Supreme Court Justice Edward A. Panelli, his eyes filled with tears, announced Wednesday that he will retire from the high court Jan. 31, a move that gives Gov. Pete Wilson a politically volatile vacancy to fill in an election year. "After eight years," said Panelli, 61, dressed in his long black judicial robes, "some of this stuff starts to lose some of its attractiveness and appeal."

Buried in an avalanche of candidates and controversies is one of the best-kept secrets of the fall campaign: Five justices are on Tuesday's ballot seeking retention or confirmation to the state Supreme Court. The little-noticed list names Chief Justice Malcolm M. Lucas and Justices Edward A. Panelli, Joyce L. Kennard and Armand Arabian--as well as Appellate Justice Marvin R. Baxter of Fresno who, if approved, will succeed retiring Justice David N. Eagleson in January.

California Supreme Court Justice Edward A. Panelli said Thursday he is strongly considering retiring but will not announce a decision until early September. In an interview with The Times in his spacious court office here, the affable Deukmejian appointee described much of his job as an unrelenting grind that leaves little time for family or recreation. Though he is leaning toward retirement, Panelli said he wants to mull it over more before deciding whether to leave his prestigious post.

California Supreme Court Justice Edward A. Panelli said Thursday he is strongly considering retiring but will not announce a decision until early September. In an interview with The Times in his spacious court office here, the affable Deukmejian appointee described much of his job as an unrelenting grind that leaves little time for family or recreation. Though he is leaning toward retirement, Panelli said he wants to mull it over more before deciding whether to leave his prestigious post.

A state Supreme Court justice and a nominee to the court are among judges throughout California who have resigned from all-male clubs after the adoption of new ethical guidelines declaring membership in such organizations "inappropriate" for jurists. "In my own mind, I didn't feel this group was guilty of invidious discrimination," said Justice Edward A. Panelli, who recently quit the Saratoga Men's Club, a discussion group in his hometown in Santa Clara County.

Appointed: Aug. 13, 1984 Named by: George Deukmejian Background: Associate Justice, Court of Appeal; Presiding Judge, Santa Clara County Superior Court; Probate Judge; Presiding Judge, Juvenile Court; General Counsel, University of Santa Clara; private law practice. Organizations: Faculty member, Calif. Judicial College; lecturer, Univ. of Santa Clara School of Law; Calif. Judges Foundation; National Conf. of Christians and Jews; Board of Trustees, Univ. of Santa Clara; Calif. Judges Assn.

Countering suggestions that he is planning to stack the state Supreme Court with right-wingers, Gov. George Deukmejian on Saturday nominated Court of Appeal Justice Edward A. Panelli, described as a respected moderate to conservative, to fill a vacancy on California's highest court. "I'm confident that the people of California and our crusade for common sense justice will be exceptionally well served (by Panelli)," Deukmejian said in a Saturday radio address announcing the selection.

* Edward A. Panelli, a California Supreme Court associate justice, has joined the judicial panel of Judicial Arbitration & Mediation Services Inc., an Orange-based private arbitration and mediation service. Panelli, who was appointed to the state Supreme Court in 1985 by former Gov. George Deukmejian, retired from his unexpired 12-year appointment.

CALIFORNIA SUPREME COURT Chief Justice 100% Precincts Reporting Rose Elizabeth Bird Votes % Confirm 2,369,063 34 Reject 4,622,066 66 Associate Justice Joseph R. Grodin Votes % Confirm 2,741,962 43 Reject 3,570,569 57 Malcolm M. Lucas Votes % Confirm 4,692,329 80 Reject 1,211,013 21 Stanley Mosk Votes % Confirm 4,472,678 74 Reject 1,604,806 26 Edward A. Panelli Votes % Confirm 4,648,505 79 Reject 1,260,385 21 Cruz Reynoso Votes % Confirm 2,536,114 40 Reject 3,874,601 60

Buried in an avalanche of candidates and controversies is one of the best-kept secrets of the fall campaign: Five justices are on Tuesday's ballot seeking retention or confirmation to the state Supreme Court. The little-noticed list names Chief Justice Malcolm M. Lucas and Justices Edward A. Panelli, Joyce L. Kennard and Armand Arabian--as well as Appellate Justice Marvin R. Baxter of Fresno who, if approved, will succeed retiring Justice David N. Eagleson in January.

A state Supreme Court justice and a nominee to the court are among judges throughout California who have resigned from all-male clubs after the adoption of new ethical guidelines declaring membership in such organizations "inappropriate" for jurists. "In my own mind, I didn't feel this group was guilty of invidious discrimination," said Justice Edward A. Panelli, who recently quit the Saratoga Men's Club, a discussion group in his hometown in Santa Clara County.

Appointed: Aug. 13, 1984 Named by: George Deukmejian Background: Associate Justice, Court of Appeal; Presiding Judge, Santa Clara County Superior Court; Probate Judge; Presiding Judge, Juvenile Court; General Counsel, University of Santa Clara; private law practice. Organizations: Faculty member, Calif. Judicial College; lecturer, Univ. of Santa Clara School of Law; Calif. Judges Foundation; National Conf. of Christians and Jews; Board of Trustees, Univ. of Santa Clara; Calif. Judges Assn.

Countering suggestions that he is planning to stack the state Supreme Court with right-wingers, Gov. George Deukmejian on Saturday nominated Court of Appeal Justice Edward A. Panelli, described as a respected moderate to conservative, to fill a vacancy on California's highest court. "I'm confident that the people of California and our crusade for common sense justice will be exceptionally well served (by Panelli)," Deukmejian said in a Saturday radio address announcing the selection.

The California Supreme Court, by a vote of 4 to 3, has ordered the disbarment of Newport Beach lawyer Marvin B. Kapelus. Kapelus had been accused by the State Bar of improperly withdrawing his representation of a client and of conflict of interest in representing several parties in a tax case.

A sharply divided state Supreme Court today upheld the constitutionality of police roadblocks to catch suspected drunk drivers. In a 4 to 3 decision, the justices rejected contentions by civil libertarians that motorists should be stopped only when there is an "individualized suspicion" that they are intoxicated. The court concluded that sobriety checkpoints, like airport metal detectors, are aimed primarily at promoting public safety--not at obtaining evidence of a crime.