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.
Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done
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.
The official source of California Courts and Judges is
the California Courts and Judges page at Business.com
Related Resources from Business.com
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