Temporary judge program

General Policy

Napa Superior Court Temporary Judge Policy

New Recruitment

The Court is proud to announce the opening of the recruitment and application process for temporary judges. If you are interested in becoming a temporary judge, please carefully review the program details and complete the application process.

Requirements

Experience Required for Appointment and Service

An attorney that has been admitted to practice as a member of the State Bar of California for 10 years may be appointed to serve as a temporary judge (however, for good cause, the presiding judge may permit an attorney who has been admitted to practice for at least 5 years to serve as a temporary judge).

Minimum Qualifications

The Presiding Judge may appoint an attorney to serve as a temporary judge only if the following minimum qualifications are satisfied. The attorney:

must be a member in good standing of the State Bar and has no disciplinary action pending;

has not pled guilty or no contest to a felony, or has not been convicted of a felony that has not been reversed;

has satisfied the education and training requirements;

has satisfied all other general conditions that the Court may establish for appointment of an attorney as a temporary judge in that court; and has satisfied any additional conditions that the Court may require for an attorney to be appointed as a temporary judge for a particular assignment or type of case in that court

Mandatory Training Requirements

The Presiding Judge may appoint an attorney to serve as a temporary judge only if the following minimum training requirements are satisfied before appointment:

Attended and successfully completed, within the previous 3 years, a course of at least 3 hours duration on the subjects identified in rule. 2.813(a) approved by the Court in which the attorney will serve. This course must be taken in-person.

Attended and successfully completed, within the previous 3 years, a course of at least 3 hours duration on the subjects identified in rule 2.813(b) approved by the Court in which the attorney will serve. This course may be taken by any means approved by the Court, including in-person, by broadcast with participation, or online.

3. Substantive Training (Small Claims)
Attended and successfully completed, within the previous;3 years, a course on the substantive law in Small Claims 2.813(c) which the attorney will serve as a temporary judge. This course may be taken by any means approved by the Court, including in person, by broadcast with participation, or online. 

For listing and scheduling of classes, please click on the Online Course Schedule link under Resources

Application process

Eligibility to serve as a Temporary Judge requires submitting a completed Application to Serve as a Temporary Judge Form

You may submit your application in one of the following ways:

Mail to:
Temporary Judge Program
Napa Superior Court
825 Brown St.
Napa, CA 94559

Email to: tempjudge@napa.courts.ca.gov

Fax to: (707) 299-1250

Note: If appointed to serve as a Temporary Judge, you will be required to complete the following courses:

1. Certificate of Completion for Bench Conduct and Demeanor Training

2. Certificate of Completion for Ethics Training

3. Certificate of Completion for Substantive Matter Training (Small Claims)

Contact Information

Questions and comments should be directed via email to the Temporary Judge Program Administrator at tempjudge@napa.courts.ca.gov

Phone inquiries should be directed to (707) 299-1121

Resources

Online Course Schedule and Resources for Temporary Judges

The following Rules of Court apply to Temporary Judges:

• Rule 2.810 Temporary Judges appointed by the trial courts
• Rule 2.811 Court appointment of Temporary Judges
• Rule 2.812 Requirements for court appointment of an attorney to serve as a Temporary Judge
• Rule 2.813 Contents of training programs
• Rule 2.814 Appointment of Temporary Judges
• Rule 2.815 Continuing education
• Rule 2.816 Stipulation to court-appointed Temporary Judges
• Rule 2.817 Disclosure to the parties
• Rule 2.818 Disqualifications and limitations

Rules of Professional Conduct  Rule 1-710

The following sections of the Canons of Judicial Ethics relating to fairness are applicable to Temporary Judges: Canons 2A, 2C, 3B(5), 3B(6), 3B(8), 3C(1), 3C(2), 3C(4), 3E, 5B, and 6D(3)(a).