Highest Court
The highest court in California is the
Supreme Court of California. The Supreme Court consists of 7 justices
sit en banc. It has jurisdiction over (1) Mandatory jurisdiction in capital
criminal and disciplinary cases. (2) Discretionary jurisdiction in civil,
noncapital criminal, administrative agency,
juvenile, original proceeding, and
interlocutory decision cases.
Intermediate Courts
Court Of Appeals
The Court of Appeals consists of
105 judges sit in panels. It has jurisdiction over (1) Mandatory jurisdiction
in civil, noncapital criminal, administrative agency, and juvenile cases.
(2) Discretionary jurisdiction in administrative agency, original proceeding,
and interlocutory decision cases.
General Courts
Superior Court
The Superior Court consists of 1,499
judges, 437 commissioners and referees. It has jurisdiction over
(1) Tort, contract, real property rights ($36,000/no maximum), miscellaneous
civil, exclusive domestic relations, estate, mental health, and civil appeals
jurisdiction. (2) Felony, DWI/DUI, and exclusive criminal appeals
jurisdiction.
No jury trials are overseen by this
court.
Additional Information
Traveling Expenses of Supreme
Court Officers and Justices
According to Section 68801 of the
California Government Code, the Supreme Court officers and justices shall
be allowed their actual traveling expenses in going to and from their respective
places of residence upon the business of the court or to attend its sessions.
Designation of Judge
The presiding judge of each superior
court has the authority to designate a judge of the court that will be
available on all days except Saturday, Sunday, or any legal holiday to
perform a marriage without fee. (California Government Code, Section 69507)
Filing Fee
A fee of $420 shall be paid for
filing a petition for a hearing of a civil case in the Supreme Court after
a decision in a court of appeal. (California Government Code, Section 68927)
Sessions of A Superior Court
The number of sessions of a superior
court at the same time are limited to the number of judges elected, appointed,
or assigned thereto. The judgments, orders, and proceedings of any
session of the superior court that is held by one or more of the judges
shall be equally effectual as though all the judges of said court presided
at such session. (California Government Code, Section 69741.5)
Judicial Emergencies
In the case of war, insurrection,
pestilence, or other public calamity, that may place the location of court
in danger, Section 68115 of California's Government Code, outlines the
procedures and rules for the sessions of court.
Judicial Institutes and Seminars
Section 68551 of California's Government
Code gives the Judicial Council the authority to conduct periodic regional
or statewide institutes and seminars for the purposes of orienting judges
to new judicial assignments, informing them of new developments in law,
and promoting uniformity in judicial procedure.
