Superior Courts

Prior to June 1998, California's trial courts consisted of superior and municipal courts, each with its own jurisdiction and number of judges fixed by the Legislature. On June 2, 1998, California voters approved a constitutional amendment permitting the judges in each county to unify their superior and municipal courts into a single superior court with jurisdiction over all case types. The goal of court unification is to improve services to the public by consolidating court resources, offering greater flexibility in case assignments, and saving taxpayer dollars. By February 2001, judges in all 58 counties had voted to unify their trial courts.

Membership, Qualifications: The superior courts have 1,499 authorized judges and 437 commissioners and referees. The California Legislature determines the number of judges in each court. Superior court judges serve six-year terms and are elected by county voters on a nonpartisan ballot at a general election. The Governor fills vacancies through appointment. A superior court judge (with the exception of former municipal court judges in recently unified courts) must have been an attorney admitted to practice law in California or have served as a judge of a court of record in this state for at least 10 years immediately preceding election or appointment.

Jurisdiction: Superior courts have trial jurisdiction over all criminal and civil cases. Annually more than 8.1 million cases are filed in these courts.

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