Court Commissioner

Description

Under the supervision and general direction of the Presiding Judge or his/her designee, this professional level position performs various judicial functions as prescribed by law or conferred by the Court, and to perform related duties as required. The Superior Court and the Commission on Judicial Performance concurrently monitor the conduct of Court Commissioners. Commissioners are subject to the same Canons of Ethics as Judges. Law prohibits Commissioners from engaging in the practice of law.

The Court Commissioner classification reports to and serves at the pleasure of the Presiding Judge of the Superior Court and is subject to the non-judicial administrative supervision of the Court Executive Officer. This is established as an exempt position. The incumbent hears cases assigned by the Presiding Judge and may serve as Judge Tempore in accordance with state law.

The Court Commissioner classification is established as an “At-Will” position and, as such, the incumbent serves at the pleasure of the Superior Court Judges. “At-Will” employment may be terminated at any time, at the discretion of the Presiding Judge under Gov Code Section 71622, with or without cause or notice. The Court Executive Officer, at the direction of the Presiding Judge will process this termination.

Examples of Duties

• Acts as a subordinate judicial officer in court cases pursuant to the stipulation of counsel or parties
• Conducts a daily court calendar
• Presides over hearings and trials, makes rulings, findings, judgments, and orders
• Exercises the same powers and duties as a judge of the court in assigned cases
• Predominantly presides over proceedings in family law but also may hear cases in civil, including unlawful detainer and small claim actions, and probate
• May also hear cases in criminal and traffic matters
• Grants continuances
• Hears, reviews, and rules on a variety of petitions, motions, and other actions
• Takes evidence from concerned parties and other witnesses
• Makes or recommends appropriate court orders
• May arraign defendants
• Sets cases for hearing and trial
• Conducts court and jury trials and may accept pleas and imposes sentences
• Reviews court files, documents, and related materials to assess cases prior to and following hearings
• Prepares court documents, records, reports, correspondence, and other written materials pertaining to case findings
• Holds pre-hearing conferences for the settlement and simplification of issues
• Researches specified decisional issues
• Performs other related work as required and assigned by the Presiding Judge

Typical Qualifications

• Active, valid membership in the California State Bar
• Admitted to practice of law in California for a period of at least ten (10) years, or on a finding of good cause by the Presiding Judge, for at least a period of five (5) years, unless inactive membership due to previously holding the position of judge, referee or commissioner

The Superior Court provides a comprehensive package of employee benefits. Our programs include medical, dental, and vision insurance, health and dependent care flexible spending accounts, term life insurance, long term disability and accident insurance and other employee benefits. The Court makes considerable contributions to health and retirement benefits on behalf of the employees.

The Court also provides paid time-off:

• Paid Holidays – Full-time employees receive 14 paid holidays
• Paid Annual Leave – Full-time employees initially accrue 22.5 days per year, accruals increase based on years of service.

Health Insurance: The Court offers three levels of medical coverage for employees to elect. The Court pays 100% of the employee medical, dental and vision premiums and contributes a substantial amount towards dependent(s) coverage. Employees who waive Court-sponsored medical insurance and who provide proof of other group medical insurance are eligible to receive $274 per pay period (24 periods per year) in-lieu of Court-sponsored medical insurance.

Life Insurance: The Court gives you the ability to help financially protect your family/beneficiaries with Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance. You have the option to supplement the Court-paid $40,000 policy with life insurance for family members and additional coverage for yourself through Voluntary Life Insurance.

Retirement: The Court pays a considerable bi-weekly contribution on behalf of the employee to California Public Employee Retirement System (CALPERS). All regular employees are required to enroll in CALPERS and contribute 7.25% bi-weekly for the defined benefit plan [2% at age 62].

Deferred Compensation: The Court offers employees the ability to participate in a 457 deferred-compensation plan.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP):The Court provides employees with support for a wide variety of challenges through EAP. Benefits include up to three (3) sessions, every six (6) months of face-to-face confidential counseling.