Attorneys have many reasons for keeping informed of California courts and judges news and trends. Attorneys need to keep track of appointments as judges die or retire in order to correctly file papers with the court. Courts may also change their procedures and administrative rules, which can affect the way that attorneys do their jobs. Attorneys may also want to know a judge’s legal education and background, as it may affect how a judge comes to a decision.

Anyone who wishes to stay current on news related to CA courts should identify key legal websites in California and check them periodically for updates. The best sources of information on news and trends on California courts and judges include the following:

1. Independent news sources on California judges, such as blogs, newspapers and magazines. These sources are the most likely to provide unbiased opinions or news about a court or judge.
2. Court websites. These sites are the best source of official news and trends, such as current appointments and court decisions.
3. Organizations for legal professionals. Meetings of these organizations provide opportunities to get inside news information on courts and judges.
   

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Study sources of unbiased news and trends for California courts

Journalists frequently report on information on California judges in online newspapers and magazines. Attorneys and law professors also may provide opinions on recent court decisions in blogs and journals.

I recommend: California Tax Attorney Blog provides current news on changes in the tax laws and the way that probate courts in California will handle tax cases. California Appeal is a blog that provides news updates for persons needing to appear before an appeals court in California.

Review California courts and judges websites to get official news and other information

California courts and judges websites are the best places to get current news about judges for a particular court, as well as information about upcoming appointments and retirements. A California court also may publish important court decisions and opinions on the official website, which can help attorneys stay informed of the latest ruling trends.

I recommend: The Judicial Council of California is the official website for state courts in California and provides current news about these courts. The Superior Court of Orange County releases current news on courts and judges in Orange County.

Join professional legal organizations to get inside news on CA courts and judges

California bar and attorney organizations hold meetings to evaluate and discuss legal news and trends. These meetings also provide an opportunity to hear from attorneys who actually have tried cases before a particular California court or judge.

I recommend: The State Bar of California provides online legal news updates, and holds regular meetings of attorneys to informally discuss news and trends in the California legal system. The Orange County Bar Association posts current legal news online, and provides opportunities for attorneys to exchange information on courts and judges in Orange County.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  There also are online forums dedicated to news and trends in the California courts. These forums may have a separate directory for each court and typically invite readers to discuss and evaluate news on courts and judges based on personal experience. The evaluation methods may consist of surveys, polls and votes that include reader comments.

A basic knowledge of California courts and judges can be very beneficial if you ever find yourself in the courtroom. All too often individuals and businesses find the need to file a lawsuit, or are at the receiving end of a lawsuit, and their lack of knowledge on how the court system works leaves them lost in the proceedings. Regardless of the circumstances that put you there, it helps to understand the court process and to know a little about the individual overseeing your case.

It’s important to understand that there are multiple courts in each state that oversee different types of cases. Each of these courts have judges that administer the law and case process. When considering California courts and California judges, keep the following in mind:

1. You can find information on cases through a California court record search.

2. The Supreme Court and Court of Appeals only hear appellate cases and each court has their own appointed judges in California.

3. Bankruptcy information and case filings are also accessible through CA court records.

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Locate CA courts and judges

California has trial courts, also known as a Superior Courts, in each of its 58 counties. These courts hear civil, criminal, family, probate and juvenile cases. In addition to the state and federal court rules, county CA courts have local rules and filing costs you must abide by when filing a case. Residents elect California judges of the Superior Court into their positions. The number of judges in CA Superior Courts depends upon the size of the county and the number of cases heard in each particular court.

I recommend: Obtain legal advice and guidance from the California Courts: Self-Help Center. Access websites for all of the Superior Courts in California, such as the County of Los Angeles, on the California Courts: Find a Court page.

File an appeal with the Supreme and Appellate courts in California

The California Supreme Court and Court of Appeals both hear only appellate cases. The purpose of an appellate court is to review the trial transcript and original evidence of a case to determine if there were any errors in the original case decision. There are no witnesses, jurors or new evidence in a case heard before the California Supreme Court or Court of Appeals. There are seven judges in California Supreme Court. The Court of Appeals has seven districts, divided into divisions, with at least four judges in each division. The decisions of the Supreme Court and Court of Appeals are final.

I recommend: Search the online docket for information on current Supreme Court and Court of Appeals cases at the California Appellate Courts Case Information. Additionally, you can access the published opinions of both courts on the Lexis Nexis website, free of charge.

Access records from bankruptcy courts in California

Whether you need to search for a bankruptcy filing on a debtor or determine if bankruptcy is an option for you or your company, the California Bankruptcy Courts can assist you with both. Three districts make up the California Bankruptcy court: the northern, central and southern districts. Each provide information on the basics for bankruptcy filing, contact information for trustees and bankruptcy attorneys and an online search of California bankruptcy records through the PACER system (Public Access to Court Electronic Records).

I recommend: Obtain information on local bankruptcy court rules on the US Bankruptcy Court – Northern District of California website. Visit the bankruptcy court records search on the PACER – California Central Bankruptcy website (each district provides a similar online search).

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Regardless of how much knowledge you have of courts and judges in CA, you should hire an attorney who specializes in your specific type of case to represent you.

California courts and judges laws and regulations govern how judges resolve disputes in interpreting and applying the law. These laws are passed by the various legislative bodies in California, such as the California state legislature, and are enforced by the executive branch of government. A party that is dissatisfied by the decision of the trial court typically may appeal to the intermediate Court of Appeals. They also may have the option of asking the highest state court to hear the case.

The assignment of a case to a California court is determined by the court that has jurisdiction. There are three general types of courts in California:

1. County CA courts. These courts generally have jurisdiction over traffic cases and other misdemeanors. The vast majority of these cases are resolved without a trial.
2. District courts. A federal district court of California has jurisdiction over federal issues and is subject to review by a United States court of appeals.
3. Supreme Court. There is only one Supreme Court of California and it consists of a panel of judges. A federal court only may overrule a state supreme court when there is an issue of federal jurisdiction.
   

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Learn about the laws regarding county CA courts and judges

California county courts are the workhorses of the California judicial system and decide most cases in California. California county courts commonly handle matters of probate law, traffic law and family law. Local rules for county courts address the procedures for assigning cases, issuing subpoenas and filing discovery motions.

I recommend: The Superior Court of California, County of Riverside provides a set of rules for each type of court case. The Superior Court of California, County of Fresno provides its own local rules, in addition to standing orders for criminal and traffic cases.

Examine laws that affect CA judges and district courts

District courts in California are the trial courts for the federal court system. They also include courts that handle bankruptcy law as separate units of the district courts. District courts have rules that govern court procedures, such as filing civil actions, making motions and requesting continuances.

I recommend: The United States District Court, Central District of California has local rules on civil, criminal and bankruptcy cases. The United States District Court, Northern District of California provides a variety of rules that govern the district courts.

Review the laws governing the Supreme Court procedures and judges in California

The California Supreme Court is the highest state court in California and generally only hears appeals involving state law. It does not make finding of facts and, therefore, does not hold trials. The Supreme Court issues rules for topics like judicial conduct, the discipline of attorneys and the publication of opinions.

I recommend: The Judicial Council of California provides the Supreme Court of California rules under the Internal Operating Practices and Procedures of the California Supreme Court. Cornell University Law School lists the California Rules of Professional Conduct, which were adopted and revised by the California Supreme Court.

Every business has the possibility of experiencing some type of legal issue, whether it’s being sued, filing a lawsuit or being engaged in some sort of business dispute. If you’re doing business in California or have customers in California, it's a good idea to have some knowledge of the state’s judicial system.

The hierarchy of the California court system includes the Supreme Court in the highest position, Court of Appeals next followed by the trial courts. Most of the state’s cases fall under the jurisdiction of the trial courts. The California courts serve the legal needs of approximately 34 million citizens. To help you learn more about the state's court system, familiarize yourself with California courts and judges key terms.

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Superior court

The California superior courts are trial courts. There are 58 superior courts in California. This court rules on adoption, family law, criminal, civil, probate and small claims matters.

I recommend: Find out more about California superior courts at the California Superior Courts website.

Court of Appeals

Most of the cases heard by the California Court of Appeals are related to the review or previous rulings in trial courts. California has court of appeals located in 6 districts in large cities throughout the state including San Francisco, Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Diego, Fresno and San Jose.

I recommend: Read more about this court by visiting John Derrick's California Appeals website.

Supreme Court

The California Supreme Court ensures justice is served by overseeing decisions handed down in the lower courts. The Supreme Court has the authority to choose which cases it wants to hear and those it does not.

I recommend: Find out more about this court by visiting the California Supreme Court website.

Chief Justice

The state's chief judge has authority over all courts proceedings and administrative activities. In California, the role of Chief Justice is a Governor-appointed position

I recommend: Read more about the Chief Justice at the Official California Legislative Information website.

Judicial Council of California

The Judicial Council's role is to establish policy for the state's court system. The Council is led by the state's Chief Justice who bases policy decisions on the California Constitution.

I recommend: Find out more about the Judicial Council of California at the State Bar of California website.

Commission on Judicial Appointments

In California, justices for the Supreme Court and Court of Appeals are appointed by the Governor. These appointments must be approved by the Commission on Judicial Appointments. The Commission consists of the state's Chief Justice, the Attorney General and the most senior judge of the Court of Appeals.

I recommend: Learn more about the Commission on Judicial Appointments from the Office of the Governor.