Temporary Judge Program
Our court welcomes qualified attorneys to become a part of our Temporary Judge’s program. Through this program, the court maintains a panel of trained and experienced attorneys who preside over various types of cases, including small claims, traffic, family law, probate and in other capacities at the discretion of the Presiding Judge. As it is the goal of the Superior Court of California, County of Lassen to support the advancement of the legal community, applications for Temporary Judges are accepted year round.
Overview
Under California Rules of Court, qualified and experienced attorneys may volunteer their time to serve as part of the Superior Court of California, County of Lassen's Temporary Judge Program. Temporary Judges are appointed and serve at the discretion of the Court.
Requirements
Experience:
- Attorneys who have been members of the California State Bar for at least ten years.
Conditions of appointment:
Temporary Judges serve at the discretion of the Presiding Judge. The Presiding Judge may appoint an attorney to serve as a Temporary Judge only if the attorney:
- is a member of the State Bar in good standing with no disciplinary action pending;
- has not pled guilty or no contest to a felony, and has not been convicted of a felony that has not been reversed;
- has satisfied the education and training requirements below;
- has satisfied all other general and specific conditions the Court may establish for appointment.
Education & Training Requirements
As mandated by rules 2.812 and 2.813 of the California Rules of Court, the Presiding Judge may appoint an attorney to serve as a temporary judge only if the following minimum training requirements are satisfied, within the previous 3 years:
| Types Of Training Courses | Information | Course Length |
|---|---|---|
| Bench Conduct and Demeanor |
Must be taken in-person. May be taken in any California Superior Court. Offered by most courts once or twice a year. Prior to attending the mandatory Bench Conduct and Demeanor class, interested applicants must complete two short exercises entitled Self-Monitor Scale and Implicit Association Test. These exercises can be found in the Bench Conduct for Temporary Judges online court materials on the Judicial Council Education site. These exercises are for self-evaluation - it is not necessary to save or bring the results to class. |
3.0 hours |
| Judicial Ethics |
May be taken online http://www2.courtinfo.ca.gov/protem/courses/je/ Upon completion of the course, please enter your name and the date, print out the certificate of completion, and email it to the Temporary Judge Administrator at TJP@lassencourt.ca.gov. |
3.0 hours |
| Substantive Area Training - Bench Assignment which can be Small Claims, Traffic, etc. [CA Rules of Court, Rule 2.812 (c)] | May be taken in person (when available) or online, through the California Center for Judicial Education and Research (CJER): http://www2.courtinfo.ca.gov/protem/ | 3.0 hours |
MCLE credit will be provided for all required training.
To verify Judicial Council online course completion and to maintain a good standing with the local Temporary Judge Program, please fill out the Certificate of Completion at the end of each course, and email a copy to TJP@lassencourt.ca.gov.
Renewal
The eligibility for serving as a Temporary Judge pursuant to California Rule of Court 2.812, is valid for a three-year period. Attorneys renewing their status as a Temporary Judge are required to provide verification of the mandatory Bench Conduct and Demeanor and Ethics training and one substantive matter.
Financial Disclosure Required Under the California Fair Political Practices Act
The California Code of Regulations require Temporary Judges who sit thirty days or more in a calendar year to file with the clerk of the court the statement of economic interests (Form 700) required of regular judicial officers. This form can be found online at http://www.fppc.ca.gov/. Temporary Judges are responsible for keeping track of the number of days that they serve.
Application Process
Eligibility to serve as a Temporary Judge requires submission of an electronic Temporary Judge application in addition to the relevant training certifications:
- Temporary Judge Application form - this application is to be completed and submitted online.
- Certificate of Completion for Bench Conduct and Demeanor training
- Certificate of Completion for online Judicial Ethics training
- Certificate(s) of Completion for substantive area training
The application is to be completed online, once completed email your Certificates of Completion to TJP@lassencourt.ca.gov.
Neither appointment nor service as a temporary judge creates any employment relationship with the Court.
Contact Information
To contact the Temporary Judge Administrator with questions, to obtain eligibility information, or for general information about the program, please email TJP@lassencourt.ca.gov.
Financial Disclosure Required Under the California Fair Political Practices Act
The California Code of Regulations require Temporary Judges who sit thirty days or more in a calendar year to file with the clerk of the court the statement of economic interests (Form 700) required of regular judicial officers. This form can be found online at http://www.fppc.ca.gov/. Temporary Judges are responsible for keeping track of the number of days that they serve.
Temporary Judge Resources
Governing Rules
California Rules of Court Governing Temporary Judges
- California Rules of Court, Rules 2.810 - 2.819 and Rules 2.830 - 2.835
- California Rules of Court, Rules 10.740 - 10.746
Temporary Judge Application
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