Approval rates
Understanding your judge's approval rate requires looking at the broader context of the hearing office. While Mary M. French has an approval rate of 69% based on 1,101 decisions on record since 2016, other judges at the same office show a wide range of outcomes, varying from 39% to 80% on their own since-2016 records. These figures provide a statistical baseline for the office's bench.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge French. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 27, 2019. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge French's docket. Annual rates fluctuate with the mix of cases SSA assigns; the longer-run pattern is more informative than any single year.
Decision pattern
Since 2016, the approval rate for Mary M. French has shown a steady pattern across 1,101 total decisions on record. The yearly data shows an approval rate of 67% in 2016, 72% in 2017, 69% in 2018, and 66% in 2019. This trend indicates a consistent approach to case evaluation over the observed period.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge French's bench. Judge-specific preparation guidance requires a corpus of public Appeals Council decisions involving each judge, which we haven't built yet.
- Bring a clean treating-physician record. Longitudinal primary-care or specialist notes spanning the disability period, with consistent symptom documentation, are typically the strongest evidence at hearing. A single month's records usually aren't enough.
- Don't rely on consultative exams alone. If your medical evidence is built primarily around a one-time CE finding, expect detailed questioning. Supplement with treating-source statements where possible.
- Prepare for daily-activity questions. Have honest, specific answers about a typical day. Answers that conflict with the medical record (in either direction) tend to hurt credibility.
- Expect transferable-skills probing. A vocational expert will usually testify about jobs available to someone with your limitations. Your representative should be prepared to cross-examine.
About the Sacramento hearing office
Mary M. French's most recent office on record is the Sacramento hearing office, with decisions there through September 2019. This office serves you in the California region and maintains a bench of 20 judges whose most recent records are tied to this location. You can expect a formal administrative process focused on medical evidence and vocational testimony.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Sacramento
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 20 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, with approval rates ranging from 39% to 80% on their since-2016 records. Because each judge has a unique approach to evidence, the specific judge you draw matters for your hearing.
Approval rates change with a lawyer
Source: U.S. Government Accountability Office, GAO-18-37. The 3× gap is a population-wide average across all judges; individual outcomes vary.
Frequently asked questions
Mary M. French has a 69% approval rate on record since 2016. Among the 20 judges whose most recent office on record is Sacramento, approval rates range from 39% to 80%. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this hearing office.
The approval rate for Mary M. French has remained relatively steady, moving from 67% in 2016 to 66% in 2019. This consistency suggests a stable decision-making pattern over the 1,101 decisions on record. An attorney can help you evaluate how your evidence aligns with this pattern.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Since you cannot control the assignment, working with an attorney is the best way to prepare for any judge. An attorney can help you prepare for your specific case.
A hearing is a formal proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and may hear testimony from you and vocational experts. Having an attorney present can help ensure your evidence is presented clearly. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific questions Mary M. French or any other judge may ask.
The 69% approval rate on record since 2016 is a historical statistic, not a guarantee of your outcome. Your case's success depends primarily on the medical evidence and your ability to prove disability under SSA guidelines. An attorney can help you build a strong case regardless of the judge's historical rate.
