Electing Judges

Extract from:

LWV of Santa Clara County

FAQ’S

*HOW IS THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM ORGANIZED IN CALIFORNIA ?
*HOW ARE JUDGES/JUSTICES APPOINTED OR ELECTED IN CALIFORNIA ?

Section 3e:

How do I find out about Superior, Appellate, and Supreme Court judges in California?

If you're looking to find out about Superior, Appeals, and Supreme Court judges in California, there are several resources available to help you with your research. This is admittedly extremely difficult to do. For those intrepid voters willing to undertake the journey here is a step-by-step  guide:

1. Go to the official website of the California Courts at https://www.courts.ca.gov/.
   


2. Look up judicial candidates on the League of Women Voter’s website: Vote 411


3. For information on the California Supreme Court and Courts of Appeal justices, navigate to the specific court section. This site provides biographies of the justices and other related information.


4. For Superior Court judges, visit the website of the specific county's Superior Court as the state is divided into 58 county Superior Courts. {for example, for SCC search on “Santa Clara County Superior Court judges”}


5. California Judges Association (CJA):
   1. The CJA is a member association that represents California judges. Their website might have publications, news, and other information about judges across the state.


6. Ballotpedia:
   1. Ballotpedia is an online encyclopedia that covers American political topics including Federal, state, and local government. You can search for individual judges to see their biographies, appointments, and election results.
   
   
   2. Visit www.balltpedia.org and search for the judge or court you're interested in.
   
   
7. Local Media and News Outlets:
   1. Newspapers, TV stations, and online news outlets often cover judicial appointments, elections, and other pertinent news about judges.
      
      
8. Legal Publications:
   1. Legal publications and databases, such as the Daily Journal or LexisNexis, can provide detailed professional histories, rulings, and opinions of judges.
   
   
   2. Legal Databases: Resources like Westlaw, LexisNexis, or Google Scholar allow you to search for specific cases. Reading through a judge's opinions can give you a direct understanding of their legal reasoning and perspective.
      
      
9. Judicial Performance Evaluations:
   1. In California, the Commission on Judicial Performance conducts investigations into judicial misconduct and discipline. Their website provides some information on judges, if there are actions taken against them.
   
   
10. Local Law Libraries:
    1. Many county law libraries maintain directories or have resources on local judges. Visiting or contacting them can be helpful.. {for example, for SCC search on “Santa Clara County Law Library”} 
       
       
11. Bar Associations:
    1. The State Bar of California might provide information or resources about judges.
    
    
    2. Local or county bar associations may have information or evaluations of appellate justices, especially when those justices are up for retention elections.
    
    

    Remember that if you're trying to understand a specific judge's rulings or judicial philosophy, reading their written opinions and rulings is invaluable. It gives insight into their legal reasoning and perspective on the law. In addition to the above, to find out about Appeals Court judges in California, including their backgrounds, rulings, and more, you can utilize a few different resources:



12. California Courts Official Website: The Judicial Branch of California has an official website that provides detailed information about the structure of the state's court system, including the Courts of Appeal.
    This site usually contains biographical information about each justice, including their educational background, professional experience, and appointment details.
    1. Direct link: California Courts of Appeal
    
    
13. Retention Election Information: Appellate justices in California face retention elections where voters can choose to keep or remove them from the bench.
    During election years, voter guides sent out by the state or county election departments will provide information on justices up for retention.
    When researching a specific Appeals Court judge, it's useful to gather information from multiple sources to ensure a well-rounded understanding of their qualifications, experience, and judicial approach.