Who Is Jaya Badiga? Andhra Native Becomes US Court Judge

Jaya Badiga, originally from Andhra Pradesh's Vijayawada, has been appointed as a judge at the Sacramento County Superior Court in California, United States. Badiga, who was earlier a commissioner in the Court, is reportedly the first Telugu person to be appointed as a judge in the US. Badiga pursued law at Osmania University in Telangana before moving abroad for further studies. She is the daughter of Badiga Ramakrishna, an industrialist and former Machilipatnam Member of Parliament.

Who Is Jyoti Badiga?

In May 2024, Jyoti Badiga became a judge at the Superior Court in Sacramento. After graduating from Osmania University, she pursued a degree in law from Santa Clara University, where she secured a Juris Doctor, a professional degree required to practice law in the United States. Badiga has over a decade of experience in the legal profession.

She also holds a Master of Arts degree in International Relations and International Communications from Boston University. In 2009, Jaya triumphed in the California State Bar Exam and embarked on her career in law. She has also served as a Staff Counsel, Attorney Advisor, Managing Attorney, and Attorney at the California Department of Health Care Services. 

Jaya Badiga impressed the Indian masses when she spoke in Telugu and Sanskrit while taking her oath as the Sacramento Superior Court judge. Greeting the spectators in Telugu, she remarked, "This is wishing you all a heartfelt welcome in your native language, Telugu, spoken by about 80 million plus people worldwide."

Jaya Badiga impressed by speaking in Sanskrit as well as Telugu on the occasion of taking oath as Santa Clara Chief Justice. pic.twitter.com/tli9FTAQaR

— PURUSHOTHAM (@purushotham999) May 22, 2024

"(This is the) first time that Telugu has been spoken on such an occasion in Sacramento," Badiga continued, inviting a roar of cheer from the audience at the ceremony. Following a vote of thanks, Badiga ended her speech with a Sanskrit mantra, which translates to "Lead me from illusion to truth, from darkness to light, and from death to immorality."