Lassen County History was made Friday, February 4th, when Susan Rados was sworn in as only the third, female judicial official in Lassen County history.
Rados was sworn in as the Lassen County Superior Court’s new Court Commissioner and will perform judicial and quasi-judicial functions, with primary responsibility for adjudicating cases, including acting as a temporary judge in appropriate cases, and performing other related duties as assigned.
She was appointed to the position by Lassen Superior Court Presiding Judge Mark Nareau, who swore-in Rados with a brief ceremony held at the Hall of Justice on Riverside Drive.
How is this different from being a judge, you might ask? Court Commissioners have the same jurisdiction and exercise the same powers and duties as the Judges of the court with respect to infractions and small claims actions, and in other matters pursuant to stipulation of the parties.
Court Commissioners are distinguished from Judges in that they are appointed by, and serve at the pleasure of, the Judges of the court, and act as temporary judges presiding over cases as directed by the Presiding Judge.
Rados is a California native who studied in the Bay Area, earning a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Broadcast and Electronic Communication Arts from San Francisco State University, then a law degree from Golden Gate University School of Law.
She served as a Deputy District Attorney with Solano County District Attorney’s Office, working her way up from misdemeanor prosecutions through assignments in the general felonies and sexual assault departments before her 2020 relocation to Lassen County.
In the mix of assignments, Susan also served as a Rural Crimes prosecutor and has tried more than thirty-six felony cases to a jury verdict.
“I’ve done a good amount of traveling,” Rados says in a bio provided by the court.
“At the age of 21, I went to work for Club Med for two years. In that time, I spent 7 months in Port St. Lucie, Florida, as a swim instructor and lifeguard, 1 month in Ixtapa, Mexico, as a mini club leader, 3 months in Cancun, Mexico, as a water ski instructor, 5 months in Guadeloupe in the French West Indies, as a kayak instructor, 1 month in Opio, France, as a golf hostess, and 2 months in Djerba La Douce, Tunisia, as a landsport instructor.”
In that time, says Rados, she had the opportunity to work with and meet people from all walks of life – whether they were there on vacation or were natives to that area.
“I’ve been an athlete my whole life – a competitive swimmer from the age of 6 and on.”
When she was ten, she broke the ten-and-under girl’s 50-yard free record at a swimming championship held every September for the residents in Alameda, holding on to that record for an impressive 31-years.
“In high school, I was a varsity athlete and lettered in water polo, basketball, and swimming. At 19, I placed in the top ten in the country for Master’s Swimming for the fifty meter and one hundred meter free. Aside from swimming, I have a history of competing in triathlons.”
“When I was nineteen, I qualified for the National Championships in the Olympic length triathlon held in Hilton Head, SC. I later got into marathon running and have completed five marathons.”
“I started training in taekwondo at age 31 and earned my black belt at 36. At roughly this same time, I trained for and competed in an Ironman triathlon (2.4 miles of swimming, 112 miles of biking, and 26.2 miles of running) in Lake Placid, NY.”
Rados has competed in multiple taekwondo tournaments and has medaled in sparring in each one.
“More recently, I’ve entered the arena of bodybuilding and have competed in seven competitions and qualified and competed at the national level last year in Pittsburgh, PA. It is my hope to one day earn my pro card as a bodybuilder and have the honor of competing as a professional athlete.”
Before attending law school at the age of 40 Rados earned her BA and MA in Broadcast and Electronic Communication Arts.
“As an undergrad, I focused on all aspects of video production, including performing as on-air talent. As a graduate student, I turned my focus to studying new communication technologies, virtual reality and augmented reality, in particular.”
Rados says she was interested in how one creates a sense of self in a virtual world.
“Upon graduating, I did corporate video production, and worked as a freelance producer, director and editor. I later went on to teach Video Production, Editing, Directing, and Media Aesthetics for two years at San Francisco State University.”
Rados has been married Richard Rados for 13 years and they have five children between them; Matthew, 31; Christophe, 29; Samantha, 28; Cameron, 28; and Alexander, 24.
She also has two pups at home, Harley and Lilly and a twin sister named Christine.
