Roger T. Benitez


Roger Thomas Benitez is a Senior United States District Judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of California.

Education and career

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 Western State University College of Law in 1978. Benitez was in private practice in Imperial County, California from 1978 to 1997. He was a judge on the California Superior Court from 1997 to 2001, also serving as 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. Then, 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, and received his commission on June 21, 2004. He assumed senior status on December 31, 2017.