California Courts of Appeal
TheCalifornia Courts of Appeal are theintermediate appellate courts inCalifornia. They were established in 1905. The courts include 106 authorized judgeships that serve six districts.[1][2][3]
The six courts of appeal have jurisdiction over appeals cases for which the superior courts have original jurisdiction, as well as in certain other cases prescribed by statute. Like theCalifornia Supreme Court, they have original jurisdiction in habeas corpus, mandamus, certiorari and prohibition proceedings.[2]
Most of the cases that come before the courts of appeal involve the review of a superior court decision that is being contested by a party to the case.[4]
- Published opinions of the California Courts of Appeal can be foundhere.
Districts
Judicial selection
- See also:Judicial selection in California
The106 judges of theCalifornia Courts of Appeal are appointed by thegovernor and confirmed by theCommission on Judicial Appointments. The state bar's Commission on Judicial Nominee Evaluation—also known as the "Jenny Commission"—is required to perform an extensive investigation on prospective appointees. The commission recommends candidates to the governor after examining their qualifications and fitness, ranking them asexceptionally well qualified,well qualified,qualified, ornot qualified. The commission is composed of attorneys and public members.[5][6] Although the governor is not bound to these recommendations, theCommission on Judicial Appointments can approve or veto the appointment by majority vote.[7]
Following confirmation from the Commission on Judicial Appointments, the appointed justice is sworn into office and is subject to voter approval at the next gubernatorial election. The appointed justice must be confirmed by voters via a yes-noretention election. According to theCalifornia Constitution, the term for a court of appeals justice is 12 years. If retained by the voters, the appointed justice remains in office but their term may depend on their predecessor's term. If the predecessor served part of their term before leaving office, the appointed justice would be retained to serve the remainder of their predecessor's term. This would be for either four or eight years. At the end of that term, the justice again must be confirmed by the voters at a gubernatorial election to begin a new 12-year term.[8][9] If a justice has been appointed to a seat where the predecessor's term would have expired the January 1 immediately after that November gubernatorial election, then the justice would serve a full 12-year term.[10]
Qualifications
To serve as a justice, a candidate must have practiced law for at least 10 years in California or served as a judge in California for at least 10 years.[10]
Presiding justice
The court uses the same process described above for selecting a presiding justice. The presiding justice for each district is chosen by the governor and is confirmed by the commission. In a court of appeals with more than one division, the chief justice of the supreme court may select a presiding justice to act as the administrative presiding justice. The administrative presiding justice serves for a period specified in the designation order. In a court of appeals with only one division, the presiding justice acts as the administrative presiding justice.[11]
Vacancies
Vacancies are filled by gubernatorial appointment. Appointed judges are required to participate in yes-noretention elections occurring at the time of the next gubernatorial race, which is held every four years.[12]
Salary
In 2025, the associate judges of the court received a salary of $280,052, according to the National Center for State Courts.[13]
Elections
To see results from California Courts of Appeal elections, visit theindividual district pages. For details about California's judicial elections,click here.
- California intermediate appellate court elections, 2026
- California intermediate appellate court elections, 2022
- California intermediate appellate court elections, 2018
Ethics
TheCalifornia Code of Judicial Ethics sets forth ethical guidelines and principles for the conduct of judges and judicial candidates inCalifornia. It consists of six canons:
- Canon 1: "A judge shall uphold the integrity and independence of the judiciary."
- Canon 2: "A judge shall avoid impropriety and the appearance of impropriety in all of the judge’s activities."
- Canon 3: "A judge shall perform the duties of judicial office impartially, competently, and diligently."
- Canon 4: "A judge shall so conduct the judge’s quasi-judicial and extrajudicial activities as to minimize the risk of conflict with judicial obligations."
- Canon 5: "A judge or candidate for judicial office shall not engage in political or campaign activity that is inconsistent with the independence, integrity, or impartiality of the judiciary."
- Canon 6: "Compliance with the code of judicial ethics."[14]
The full text of theCalifornia Code of Judicial Ethics can be foundhere.
Removal of judges
Judges inCalifornia may be removed in one of three ways:
- By a two-thirds vote of the senate after impeachment by the assembly[15]
- By a recall election through popular vote
- By the commission on judicial performance, although its decisions are reviewable by the supreme court[16]
State profile
| Demographic data for California | ||
|---|---|---|
| California | U.S. | |
| Total population: | 38,993,940 | 316,515,021 |
| Land area (sq mi): | 155,779 | 3,531,905 |
| Race and ethnicity** | ||
| White: | 61.8% | 73.6% |
| Black/African American: | 5.9% | 12.6% |
| Asian: | 13.7% | 5.1% |
| Native American: | 0.7% | 0.8% |
| Pacific Islander: | 0.4% | 0.2% |
| Two or more: | 4.5% | 3% |
| Hispanic/Latino: | 38.4% | 17.1% |
| Education | ||
| High school graduation rate: | 81.8% | 86.7% |
| College graduation rate: | 31.4% | 29.8% |
| Income | ||
| Median household income: | $61,818 | $53,889 |
| Persons below poverty level: | 18.2% | 11.3% |
| Source:U.S. Census Bureau, "American Community Survey" (5-year estimates 2010-2015) Clickhere for more information on the 2020 census andhere for more on its impact on the redistricting process in California. **Note: Percentages for race and ethnicity may add up to more than 100 percent because respondents may report more than one race and the Hispanic/Latino ethnicity may be selected in conjunction with any race. Read more about race and ethnicity in the censushere. | ||
Presidential voting pattern
Californiavoted for the Democratic candidate in all seven presidential elections between 2000 and 2024.
More California coverage on Ballotpedia
- Elections in California
- United States congressional delegations from California
- Public policy in California
- Endorsers in California
- California fact checks
- More...
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑California Courts, "About California Courts,"accessed September 22, 2021
- ↑2.02.1California Courts, "About the 1st District," accessed September 22, 2021
- ↑California Courts, "About California Courts," accessed August 15, 2015
- ↑California Courts, "About California Courts"
- ↑The State Bar of California, "Background," accessed March 27, 2023
- ↑The State Bar of California, "Commission on Judicial Nominees Evaluation," accessed March 27, 2023
- ↑Brennan Center for Justice, "Judicial Selection: An Interactive Map," accessed March 23, 2023
- ↑California Legislative Information, "Article VI Judicial Sec. 16.," accessed March 27, 2023
- ↑California Secretary of State, "Justices of the Supreme Court," accessed March 27, 2023
- ↑10.010.1California Courts, "Judicial Selection: How California Chooses Its Judges and Justices," accessed March 27, 2023
- ↑California Courts, "Rule 10.1004. Court of Appeal administrative presiding justice," accessed March 27, 2023
- ↑Brennan Center for Justice, "Judicial Selection: An Interactive Map," accessed March 23, 2023
- ↑National Center for State Courts, "2025 Salaries and Rankings," accessed October 8, 2025
- ↑California Courts, "California Code of Judicial Ethics," accessed August 15, 2015
- ↑California Constitution via Justia US Law, "Article IV - Legislative Section 18," accessed July 17, 2023
- ↑California Commission on Judicial Performance, "Home," accessed July 17, 2023
Federal courts:
Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals • U.S. District Court:Central District of California,Eastern District of California,Northern District of California,Southern District of California • U.S. Bankruptcy Court:Central District of California,Eastern District of California,Northern District of California,Southern District of California
State courts:
California Supreme Court•California Courts of Appeal•California Superior Courts
State resources:
Courts in California •California judicial elections •Judicial selection in California
