Judge Arlan Harrell is receiving a promotion.

Gov. Gavin Newsom has appointed Harrell as an associate justice to the 5th District Court of Appeal. He replaces retiring Justice Charles Poochigian on the appellate bench.

“I’m very excited and looking forward to the new challenge,” Harrell said.

Harrell, 63, has served as a Fresno County Superior Court judge since 2006. He was appointed by then-Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. He spent most of that time presiding over trials.

“I will miss my colleagues and my responsibilities in the trial court, and particularly dealing with the jurors who appeared to serve in the Fresno Superior Court,” Harrell said.

Prior to his Superior Court appointment, Harrell served as a court commissioner from 2003 through 2006. He replaced Brad Hill on the bench — a

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