David T. Bristow
How Judge Bristow rules, drawn from 14 signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
How Judge Bristow decides
Patterns drawn from this judge's own signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
What persuades
On his consent Social Security appeals docket, a distinct pattern separates stipulated from contested cases: roughly two-thirds of the sampled remands were stipulated: the Commissioner agreed to a remand before any contested ruling, and he signed judgment within days of the stipulation. On the smaller set of appeals that reached a genuine contested decision after full merits briefing, the outcomes were close to evenly split between reversal/remand and affirmance, not lopsided toward either side.
“IT IS HEREBY ADJUDGED that the decision of the Commissioner of Social Security is reversed and this action is remanded for further proceedings.”
In the consent immigration-habeas matters reviewed, he treated the government's election not to oppose the petition's merits as an independent basis for relief, then tailored the remedy to a bond hearing or immediate release.
“Respondents’ non-opposition itself provides a basis to grant the Petition.”
Signed rulings
A grounded sample of orders signed by this judge, with the verbatim dispositive language.
“IT IS HEREBY ADJUDGED that the decision of the Commissioner of Social Security is reversed and this action is remanded for further proceedings.”
“IT IS HEREBY ADJUDGED that the decision of the Commissioner of Social Security is reversed and this action is remanded for further proceedings.”
“IT IS HEREBY ADJUDGED that the decision of the Commissioner of Social Security is reversed and this action is remanded for further proceedings.”
“IT IS HEREBY ADJUDGED that the decision of the Commissioner of Social Security is reversed and this action is remanded for further proceedings.”
“IT IS HEREBY ADJUDGED that the decision of the Commissioner of Social Security is reversed and this action is remanded for further proceedings.”
“IT IS HEREBY ADJUDGED that the decision of the Commissioner of Social Security is reversed and this action is remanded for further proceedings.”
“IT IS HEREBY ADJUDGED that the decision of the Commissioner of Social Security is affirmed and this action is dismissed with prejudice.”
“IT IS HEREBY ADJUDGED that the decision of the Commissioner of Social Security is affirmed and this action is dismissed with prejudice.”
“IT THEREFORE IS ORDERED that Judgment be entered: (1) Granting the Petition;”
“IT THEREFORE IS ORDERED that Judgment be entered: (1) Granting the Petition;”
“IT THEREFORE IS ORDERED that: (1) Judgment be entered granting the Petition;”
“IT THEREFORE IS ORDERED that: (1) Judgment be entered granting the Petition; (2) a writ of habeas corpus be issued requiring Respondents to immediately release Petitioner Roxana Liseth Torres Ayala (A# 240-546-471) from custody”
Caseload & timing
From public federal docket records for this judge.
Median case duration in the sampled dockets: 167 days (N = 17).
Median motion-to-ruling time: 12.5 days (N = 8).
- Judge Bristow's current docket is led by consent Social Security disability appeals filed from 2023 through 2025.
- About one-third of the reviewed Social Security outcomes were stipulated remands agreed to before a contested ruling; the remainder were decided after merits briefing.
- His growing immigration-detention habeas calendar produced six consent final orders in July and August 2026, including two bond-hearing orders and four immediate-release orders.
- He also handles consent contract, consumer, employment, and ADA cases in Riverside, many of which settle or end voluntarily, plus periodic misdemeanor and probation matters.
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