Cruz Reynoso was born in Brea, California. He attended Fullerton College and Pamona College, and served two years (1953-1955) in the United States Army. In 1958 he received his Bachelor of Law degree from UC Berkeley. He has been a professor of law at the University of New Mexico, UCLA, and UC Davis. From 1981 to 1986, he served on the California Supreme Court, and from 1993 to 2004 he was vice-chairman of the United States Commission on Civil Rights. In 2000, Justice Reynoso was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
This interview was undertaken in partnership and under the auspices of the California State Archives, State Government Oral History Program. It is posted here courtesy of the California State Archives, and no part of the manuscript may be quoted for publication without the written permission of the California State Archivist. Requests for permission to quote for publication should be addressed to The California State Archives, 1020 O Street, Sacramento, California, 95814.