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 2017, there were 252 authorized subordinate judicial officer positions in California.

2017 Statistics

Complaints Received and Investigated

In 2017, the commission reviewed 85 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 2017, the commission commenced one staff inquiry and four preliminary investigations.

Cases Concluded

In 2017, the commission concluded its review of 85 complaints involving subordinate judicial officers. The commission closed 80 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. Following investigation, the commission imposed one public admonishment, one private admonishment, issued one advisory letter, closed two of the cases without discipline. At the end of the year, two matters remained pending before the commission.