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  <p align="center" style="border:none;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;padding:0in;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
  
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  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="5" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:18.0pt;font-weight:bold;">UNITED STATES<br>
  SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</font></b></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">WASHINGTON,
  D.C. 20549</font></b></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <div align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><hr size="1" width="25%" noshade color="black" align="center"></div>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="5" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:18.0pt;font-weight:bold;">FORM&nbsp;8-K</font></b></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <div align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><hr size="1" width="25%" noshade color="black" align="center"></div>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="3" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:bold;">CURRENT REPORT</font></b></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="3" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Pursuant to Section&nbsp;13 or 15(d)&nbsp;of
  the<br>
  Securities Exchange Act of 1934</font></b></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Date of
  Report: May&nbsp;1, 2008 (April&nbsp;25, 2008)</font></b></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">(Date of
  Earliest Event Reported)</font></b></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <div align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><hr size="1" width="25%" noshade color="black" align="center"></div>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="5" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:18.0pt;font-weight:bold;">CREDENCE
  SYSTEMS CORPORATION</font></b></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(Exact Name of
  Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)</font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <div align="center">
  
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   <tr>
    <td width="32%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:32.0%;">
    <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">DELAWARE</font></b></p>
    </td>
    <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.0%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
    </td>
    <td width="32%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:32.0%;">
    <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">000-22366</font></b></p>
    </td>
    <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.0%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
    </td>
    <td width="32%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:32.0%;">
    <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">94-2878499</font></b></p>
    </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td width="32%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:32.0%;">
    <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(State
    or Other Jurisdiction<br>
    of Incorporation)</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.0%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="32%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:32.0%;">
    <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(Commission
    File Number)</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.0%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="32%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:32.0%;">
    <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(IRS
    Employer<br>
    Identification No.)</font></p>
    </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td width="32%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:32.0%;">
    <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.0%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="32%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:32.0%;">
    <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.0%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="32%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:32.0%;">
    <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td width="66%" colspan="3" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:66.0%;">
    <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">1421 California Circle<br>
    Milpitas, California</font></b></p>
    </td>
    <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.0%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="32%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:32.0%;">
    <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">95035</font></b></p>
    </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td width="66%" colspan="3" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:66.0%;">
    <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(Address of Principal Executive Offices)</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.0%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="32%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:32.0%;">
    <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(Zip Code)</font></p>
    </td>
   </tr>
  </table>
  
  </div>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">408-635-4300</font></b></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(Registrant&#146;s
  Telephone Number, Including Area Code)</font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Check the appropriate box
  below if the Form&nbsp;8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing
  obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General
  Instruction A.2. below):</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">o</font>
  Written communications pursuant to Rule&nbsp;425 under the Securities Act (17
  CFR 230.425)</p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">o</font> Soliciting
  material pursuant to Rule&nbsp;14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
  240.14a-12)</p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">o</font> Pre-commencement
  communications pursuant to Rule&nbsp;14d-2(b)&nbsp;under the Exchange Act (17
  CFR 240.14d-2(b))</p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">o</font> Pre-commencement
  communications pursuant to Rule&nbsp;13e-4(c)&nbsp;under the Exchange Act (17
  CFR 240.13e-4(c))</p>
  
  <div style="border:none;border-bottom:double windowtext 6.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;">
  
  <p align="center" style="border:none;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;padding:0in;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  </div>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <div style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><hr size="3" width="100%" noshade color="#010101" align="left"></div>
  
  </div>
  <!-- SEQ.=1,FOLIO='',FILE='C:\jms\nsampath\08-13222-1\task2909862\13222-1-ba.htm',USER='105226',CD='May  1 23:09 2008' -->
  
  
  <br clear="all" style="page-break-before:always;">
  
  
  <div style="font-family:Times New Roman;">
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Item&nbsp;5.02.&#160;
  Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors;
  Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.</font></b></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">On April&nbsp;25, 2008,
  the Board of Directors of Credence Systems Corporation (the &#147;Company&#148;) approved
  grants of restricted stock units pursuant to the Company&#146;s 2005 Stock Incentive
  Plan with each of the following named executive officers:&#160; Casey Eichler, the Company&#146;s Chief Financial
  Officer; Rance Hale, the Company&#146;s Senior Vice President of Manufacturing Operations;
  and Patrick Brady, the Company&#146;s Senior Vice President of Engineering.</font></p>
  
  <p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.5in;">&nbsp;</p>
  
  <p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Each restricted stock
  unit (a &#147;unit&#148;) represents the right to receive, upon vesting and settlement of
  the unit, one share of common stock of the Company.&#160; O</font>ne hundred percent (100%) of the units will vest upon the completion of
  four (4)&nbsp;years of service with the Company measured from the grant date;
  provided however, that vesting will accelerate under the following
  circumstances:&#160; (i)&nbsp;fifty percent
  (50%) of the units will become vested if the Company&#146;s closing sales price on
  the NASDAQ Global Market is equal to or exceeds $2.25 for twenty (20) trading
  days during any consecutive thirty (30) day trading period; and (ii)&nbsp;fifty
  percent (50%) of the units will become vested if the Company&#146;s closing sales
  price on the NASDAQ Global Market is equal to or exceeds $3.50 for twenty (20)
  trading days during any consecutive thirty (30) day trading period.&#160; The units, however, will not be settled and
  converted into shares of common stock of the Company until twelve (12) months
  following the date on which such units vest.&#160;
  Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event of a &#147;change of control&#148; of
  the Company, one hundred percent (100%) of the units will become automatically
  vested and converted into shares of Company common stock on either (A)&nbsp;the
  date immediately prior to the specified effective date of such change of
  control if the units are not assumed by the successor entity; or (B)&nbsp;the
  date on which the recipient&#146;s service with the Company (or the successor
  entity) is involuntarily terminated without cause or by the recipient for good
  reason (if such termination occurs within twelve (12) months following such
  change of control) if the units are assumed by the successor entity.&#160; Units are forfeited if the recipient
  terminates continuous service with the Company prior to any vesting date.</p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">The
  number of units granted to each executive officer is as follows:&#160; Mr.&nbsp;Hale received 350,000 units; Mr.&nbsp;Brady
  received 125,000 units; and Mr.&nbsp;Eichler received 120,000 units.</font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;">&nbsp;</p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">2</font></p>
  
  <div style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><hr size="3" width="100%" noshade color="#010101" align="left"></div>
  
  </div>
  <!-- SEQ.=1,FOLIO='2',FILE='C:\jms\nsampath\08-13222-1\task2909862\13222-1-ba.htm',USER='105226',CD='May  1 23:09 2008' -->
  
  
  <br clear="all" style="page-break-before:always;">
  
  
  <div style="font-family:Times New Roman;">
  
  <p align="center" style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;">&nbsp;</p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">SIGNATURES</font></b></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Pursuant
  to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the
  Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
  undersigned hereunto duly authorized.</font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="border-collapse:collapse;width:100.0%;">
   <tr>
    <td width="50%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:50.0%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="50%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:50.0%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">CREDENCE
    SYSTEMS CORPORATION</font></p>
    </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td width="50%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:50.0%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="50%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:50.0%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td width="50%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:50.0%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="50%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:50.0%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td width="50%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:50.0%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="4%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:4.16%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">By:</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="45%" valign="top" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:45.84%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">/s/
    Byron W. Milstead</font></p>
    </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td width="50%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:50.0%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="4%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:4.16%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="45%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:45.84%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Byron
    W. Milstead</font></p>
    </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td width="50%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:50.0%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="4%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:4.16%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="45%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:45.84%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Senior
    Vice President, General Counsel</font></p>
    </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td width="50%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:50.0%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="4%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:4.16%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
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    <td width="45%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:45.84%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">and
    Assistant Secretary</font></p>
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    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Date:
    May&nbsp;1, 2008</font></p>
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metadata_documents: [{"type": "8-K", "sequence": "1", "filename": "a08-13222_18k.htm", "description": "8-K", "secsgml_size_bytes": 22998}]
metadata_filer: {"company-data": {"conformed-name": "CREDENCE SYSTEMS CORP", "cik": "0000893162", "assigned-sic": "3825", "irs-number": "942878499", "state-of-incorporation": "DE", "fiscal-year-end": "1031"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "8-K", "act": "34", "file-number": "000-22366", "film-number": "08795131"}, "business-address": {"street1": "1421 CALIFORNIA CIRCLE", "city": "MILPITAS", "state": "CA", "zip": "95035", "phone": "408635-4300"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "1421 CALIFORNIA CIRCLE", "city": "MILPITAS", "state": "CA", "zip": "95035"}}
text: UNITED STATES
  SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
  WASHINGTON,
  D.C. 20549
  FORM 8-K
  CURRENT REPORT
  Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
  the
  Securities Exchange Act of 1934
  Date of
  Report: May 1, 2008 (April 25, 2008)
  (Date of
  Earliest Event Reported)
  CREDENCE
  SYSTEMS CORPORATION
  (Exact Name of
  Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
  DELAWARE
  000-22366
  94-2878499
  (State
    or Other Jurisdiction
  of Incorporation)
  (Commission
    File Number)
  (IRS
    Employer
  Identification No.)
  1421 California Circle
  Milpitas, California
  95035
  (Address of Principal Executive Offices)
  (Zip Code)
  408-635-4300
  (Registrant's
  Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
  Check the appropriate box
  below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing
  obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General
  Instruction A.2. below):
  o
  Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17
  CFR 230.425)
  o
  Soliciting
  material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
  240.14a-12)
  o
  Pre-commencement
  communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17
  CFR 240.14d-2(b))
  o
  Pre-commencement
  communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17
  CFR 240.13e-4(c))
  Item 5.02. 
  Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors;
  Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.
  On April 25, 2008,
  the Board of Directors of Credence Systems Corporation (the "Company") approved
  grants of restricted stock units pursuant to the Company's 2005 Stock Incentive
  Plan with each of the following named executive officers:  Casey Eichler, the Company's Chief Financial
  Officer; Rance Hale, the Company's Senior Vice President of Manufacturing Operations;
  and Patrick Brady, the Company's Senior Vice President of Engineering.
  Each restricted stock
  unit (a "unit") represents the right to receive, upon vesting and settlement of
  the unit, one share of common stock of the Company.  O
  ne hundred percent (100%) of the units will vest upon the completion of
  four (4) years of service with the Company measured from the grant date;
  provided however, that vesting will accelerate under the following
  circumstances:  (i) fifty percent
  (50%) of the units will become vested if the Company's closing sales price on
  the NASDAQ Global Market is equal to or exceeds $2.25 for twenty (20) trading
  days during any consecutive thirty (30) day trading period; and (ii) fifty
  percent (50%) of the units will become vested if the Company's closing sales
  price on the NASDAQ Global Market is equal to or exceeds $3.50 for twenty (20)
  trading days during any consecutive thirty (30) day trading period.  The units, however, will not be settled and
  converted into shares of common stock of the Company until twelve (12) months
  following the date on which such units vest. 
  Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event of a "change of control" of
  the Company, one hundred percent (100%) of the units will become automatically
  vested and converted into shares of Company common stock on either (A) the
  date immediately prior to the specified effective date of such change of
  control if the units are not assumed by the successor entity; or (B) the
  date on which the recipient's service with the Company (or the successor
  entity) is involuntarily terminated without cause or by the recipient for good
  reason (if such termination occurs within twelve (12) months following such
  change of control) if the units are assumed by the successor entity.  Units are forfeited if the recipient
  terminates continuous service with the Company prior to any vesting date.
  The
  number of units granted to each executive officer is as follows:  Mr. Hale received 350,000 units; Mr. Brady
  received 125,000 units; and Mr. Eichler received 120,000 units.
  2
  SIGNATURES
  Pursuant
  to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the
  Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
  undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
  CREDENCE
    SYSTEMS CORPORATION
  By:
  /s/
    Byron W. Milstead
  Byron
    W. Milstead
  Senior
    Vice President, General Counsel
  and
    Assistant Secretary
  Date:
    May 1, 2008
  3