TheUnited States District Court for the Central District of California (incase citations,C.D. Cal.; commonly referred to as theCDCA or CACD) is afederal trial court that serves over 19 million people in Southern and Central California, making it the most populous federal judicial district.[1] The district was created on September 18, 1966. Cases from the Central District are appealed to theUnited States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit (except forpatent claims and claims against the United States government under theTucker Act, which are appealed to theFederal Circuit).
California was admitted to the union on September 9, 1850, and was divided into two federal trial court districts – Northern and Southern – by Act of Congress on September 28, 1850, 9 Stat. 521.[2] The boundary was at the37th parallel.[3] The two districts were merged as theUnited States District Court for the District of California on July 27, 1866, by 14 Stat. 300.[2][3] On August 5, 1886, Congress re-created theSouthern District by 24 Stat. 308,[3] while the northern half was renamedNorthern District. TheEastern and Central Districts of California were created on March 18, 1966 from portions of the Northern and Southern Districts by 80 Stat. 75.[2]
Along with theCentral District of Illinois, this court is the only district court referred to by the name "Central" – all other courts with similar geographical names instead use the term "Middle".
TheUnited States attorney for the Central District of California represents the United States government in civil and criminal cases before the court. Beginning on April 2, 2025, the interim U.S. Attorney for the district wasBill Essayli. On October 28, 2025, a federal judge ruled that Essayli's authority as an interim appointee had expired as of July 29, 2025. Judge J. Michael Seabright wrote that "Essayli unlawfully assumed the role of Acting United States Attorney for the Central District of California", stating that "He is disqualified from serving in that role".[4][5][6]
Chief judges have administrative responsibilities with respect to their district court. Unlike the Supreme Court, where one justice is specifically nominated to be chief, the office of chief judge rotates among the district court judges. To be chief, a judge must have been in active service on the court for at least one year, be under the age of 65, and have not previously served as chief judge.
A vacancy is filled by the judge highest in seniority among the group of qualified judges. The chief judge serves for a term of seven years, or until age 70, whichever occurs first. The age restrictions are waived if no members of the court would otherwise be qualified for the position.
When the office was created in 1948, the chief judge was the longest-serving judge who had not elected to retire, on what has since 1958 been known assenior status, or declined to serve as chief judge. After August 6, 1959, judges could not become or remain chief after turning 70 years old. The current rules have been in operation since October 1, 1982.
