Subordinate Judicial Officers – Statistics


Since June of 1998, the commission has shared authority with the superior courts for the discipline of subordinate judicial officers (SJO’s), attorneys employed by California’s state courts to serve as court commissioners and referees. In 2022, there were 254 authorized subordinate judicial officer positions in California.

Subordinate Judicial Officers
Authorized Positions
As of December 31, 2022

  • Court Commissioners249
  • Court Referees5
  • Total254

2022 Statistics

Complaints Received and Investigated

In 2022, the commission reviewed 87 new complaints about subordinate judicial officers. Because the superior courts were required to conduct the initial investigations, the commission’s function primarily entailed reviewing the local courts’ actions to determine whether there was any basis for further investigation or action by the commission.

In 2022, the commission commenced one preliminary investigation.

Rule Under which New Complaints Were Submitted

  • Rule 109(c)(1)–appeal from local court’s disposition71
  • Rule 109(c)(2)–at the request of a local court0
  • Rule 109(c)(3)–notification by local court of discipline3
  • Rule 109(c)(4)–notification by local court of resignation
  • with investigation pending0
  • Rule 109(c)(5)–subordinate judicial officer retires or
  • resignsbefore court receives complaint13

 

2022 Caseload – Subordinate Judicial Officers

  • Cases Pending 1/1/222
  • New Complaints Considered87
  • Cases Concluded86
  • Cases Pending 12/31/223

Cases Concluded
In 2022, the commission concluded its review of 86 complaints involving subordinate judicial officers. The commission closed 83 of these matters after initial review because it determined that the superior courts’ handling and disposition of the complaints were adequate and that no further proceedings were warranted.

At the end of the year, three matters remained pending before the commission.

2022 SJO Complaint Dispositions

      • Total complaint dispositions86
      • Closed after initial review83

Type of Court Case Underlying
SJO Complaints Concluded in 2022

  • Family Law29%
  • Small Claims29%
  • Traffic23%
  • General Civil10%
  • Criminal3%
  • All Others6%
  • (includes off-bench)

Source of Complaints Involving
SJO’s Concluded in 2022

  • Litigant/Family/Friend89%
  • Attorney6%
  • Judge/Court Staff3%
  • All Other Complainants1%
  • Source Other Than Complaint1%