JUDICIAL RECOMMENDATIONS
For the upcoming Tuesday, November 5, 2024, Presidential General Election
Printable Guide:SUPERIOR COURT JUDGE RECOMMENDATIONS
For the Tuesday, November 5, 2024 California Presidential Election
Note: This guide covers Los Angeles, Riverside, and Santa Clara Counties
(Most counties do not have judge run-off races on the 11-5-24 ballot.)
ADDITIONAL WAYS OF FINDING OUT ABOUT JUDGES - for those who want to do their own research.
- Check with lawyers and those within the court system who you know have similar values and philosophy to your own. They may be able to give you advice.
- Check with conservative, knowledgeable, and trusted legislators and activists in your county. Some of them research judge candidates and are prepared to share their recommendations.
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Attend a Debate or Other Public Speaking Event. Many judicial candidates participate in/speak at candidate forums and other events.
If you have an opportunity to interview candidates running for judge, you might want to incorporate some of the questions used in JudgeVoterGuide.com Candidate Questionnaire. - Check candidates' websites for basic information and their endorsement lists. You might do a Google search for the candidates' names and various issues. Sometimes even pictures on the candidates websites give insightful clues about the candidate - who they are pictured with, at what events, etc.
- Look for more ideas in KCET's article, "How to Judge a Judge," by Brian Frank.
BASIC INFORMATION on Judges and the California Court System
Overview of California Courts
Fact Sheet: California Judicial Branch, 2/18
Judges
Q: How are trial court judges selected?
Q: How are justices of the Supreme Court and Courts of Appeal selected?
Q: How many judges are there in the California courts?
Q: Where can I find biographical information about California's Supreme Court justices?
Q: Where can I find biographical information about California's Court of Appeal justices?
Q: Where can I find biographical information about California's trial court judges?
Q: How can I locate a particular California trial court judge?
| California Courts Judicial Selection/Election/Retention Process | |
| California Court | Duration of Term |
| Supreme Court | 12 years |
| Court of Appeals | 12 years |
| Superior Court | 6 years |
| California Court | Method of Retention |
| Supreme Court | Retention election |
| Court of Appeals | Retention election |
| Superior Court | Reelection |
| California Court | Time Frame for Election/ Appointment |
| Supreme Court | 10 years' practice of law in state or service as a judge of court of record |
| Court of Appeals | 10 years' practice of law in state or service as a judge of court of record |
| Superior Court | 10 years' practice of law in state or service as a judge of court of record |
Selection and retention methods and term lengths are prescribed by Article VI of the California Constitution.
Judicial Positions
Judge: An official of the judicial branch of government with authority to decide lawsuits brought before the court. Elected or appointed by the Governor.
Commissioner: A person elected by the judges of the court and given the power to hear and make decisions in certain kinds of legal matters.
Referee: A person appointed by the Court who can make decisions on limited legal matters such as juvenile or traffic offenses.
Judge Pro Tem: A person or judge appointed by the Presiding Judge of a particular county to sit temporarily on a given court usually in the regular judge's absence.
Temporary Judge: A member of the State Bar appointed by the court and stipulated to by the parties to hear cases and make decisions in certain kinds of legal matters.
The above chart was used with permission of the American Judicature Society.
Source: AJS Methods of Judicial Selection: California