The LA County court system, part of California’s state court system, operates with the Superior Court as the primary trial court. The Superior Court handles civil and criminal cases, including family, probate, and traffic matters, while the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court handle appeals.
Superior court judges serve six-year terms and are elected by county voters on a nonpartisan ballot at a general election. The governor fills vacancies through appointment. The L.A. Superior Court currently has 431 judges.
Here's a breakdown:
California Court System Structure:
- California Supreme Court:
The highest court in the state, primarily hears appeals from the Courts of Appeal. - California Courts of Appeal:
Divided into six geographical districts, they review decisions from the Superior Courts. - California Superior Courts:
The trial courts, handling a wide variety of cases, including civil, criminal, family, probate, mental health, juvenile, and traffic matters.
Los Angeles County Superior Court:
- Largest Unified Trial Court:The Superior Court of Los Angeles County is the largest single unified trial court in the United States.
- Handles all types of cases:It handles criminal, civil, family, probate, mental health, juvenile, and traffic cases.
- 36 courthouses:The court operates 36 courthouses throughout the county.
Specific Court Types & Jurisdiction:
- Criminal Cases:
The Superior Court handles all criminal cases, from misdemeanors to felonies, within Los Angeles County. - Civil Cases:
The Superior Court handles civil cases, including contract disputes, personal injury claims, and property disputes. - Probate and Wills:
The Superior Court handles probate matters, which involve the administration of estates and the processing of wills. - Family Law:
The Superior Court handles family law matters, including divorce, child custody, and support orders. - Juvenile Cases:
The Superior Court handles cases involving juveniles, including delinquency and dependency matters. - Traffic Cases:
The Superior Court handles traffic violations.