Overview

The Sacramento Superior Court's Temporary Judge Program maintains a panel of trained, qualified, and experienced attorneys who may serve as temporary judges in Family Law, Traffic, and Small Claims.

Education and Training

• Bench Conduct and Demeanor
• Ethics
• Substantive training (Family Law/Traffic/Small Claims)
  • Court Policy: A policy decision by the Presiding Judge allows attorneys who serve as temporary judges for Family Law to submit copies of certificates of completion for ten hours of MCLE-approved training in the area of Family Law to meet the substantive matter training requirements. Attorney Certification Form may be used as a substitute for submitting certificates of completion.
  • The required trainings can be found here: California Courts: Temporary Judge Resources
  • Trainings need to be renewed every three years

How to Apply (or Reapply)

• Complete, either by hand or typed, the application to serve as a temporary judge.
• Include your certificates of completion:
  • Bench Conduct & Demeanor
  • Ethics
  • Substantive Area
• If you are currently a Temporary Judge, you are required to renew your application every three years. Please complete the renewal application to serve as a temporary judge.
• Once complete, you may mail or email your (renewal) application packet:

  Temporary Judge Program
  500 G Street, Room 1710
  Sacramento, CA 95814
  OR
  Email to: TemJudAdm@saccourt.ca.gov

Review Process

Once the Court has received your application packet, it will be routed to the supervising judge and presiding judge for review and eligibility determination. If accepted, you will be contacted to set up an Oath date and time, shadowing, and scheduling!

Additional Resources

• Rule 2.810 Temporary judges appointed by the trial courts
• California Code of Judicial Ethics relating to Temporary Judges: Canons 2A, 2C, 3B(5), 3B(6), 3B(8), 3C(1), 3C(2), 3C(4), 3E, 5B, 6D(3)(a), 6D(8)c) and 6D(9)(a) and (b)
• Pursuant to California Rules of Court, Rule 10.746, if you wish to lodge a complaint against a Temporary Judge: Print and complete the complaint. Handwritten and typed complaints are accepted. Upon completion, you may submit your complaint:

  Temporary Judge Program
  500 G Street, Room 1710
  Sacramento, CA 95814
  OR
  E-mail to: TemJudAdm@saccourt.ca.gov