Temporary Judge Program
The San Luis Obispo County Superior Court’s Temporary Judge Program is effective due to the participation of local Bar members. The Temporary Judges’ service is extremely valuable to the Court to ensure the continued and uninterrupted access to justice.
Temporary Judges serve at the discretion of the Presiding Judge and must be members of the California State Bar in good standing for at least 10 years before appointment. Attorneys must complete an application and satisfy the training requirements outlined in California Rules of Court, Rule 2.812 prior to appointment. Any interested attorney should complete the online training courses, apply, and complete the web form on this page to be notified of the next in-person/live mandatory Bench Conduct and Demeanor training.
No employment relationship is created by appointment or service as a Temporary Judge.
Requirements
The following requirements must be met, but create no guarantee, to be appointed by the Presiding Judge to serve as a Temporary Judge for the San Luis Obispo County Superior Court.
- Each attorney must be in good standing with the California State Bar with no disciplinary action pending, no felony convictions, and been admitted to practice for at least 10 years before appointment. For good cause, the Presiding Judge may appoint an attorney admitted for at least 5 years.
- Attorneys must complete the required training, as follows:
Training Requirements |
Details |
Length (hrs.) |
| Bench Conduct and Demeanor | In-Person or live only | 3 |
| Ethics | Online | 3 |
| Substantive Law* | Online | Varies |
*Substantive Law Requirements
| Traffic | Traffic Cases | 3 |
| Small Claims (2 courses) |
Consumer and Substantive Laws Procedures and Practices |
3 2 |
- Complete and submit the Application to Serve as Temporary Judge below.
Training
The most recent in-person/live Bench Conduct and Demeanor training notice will always be available at the link above and will be replaced once another training is scheduled.
Applications
Application to Serve as Temporary Judge
Re-certification Application to Serve as Temporary Judge
Governing Rules
California Rules of Court Governing Temporary Judges
California Code of Judicial Ethics
Temporary Judge Program Information Request
Please submit your information for notice regarding future in-person/live training opportunities.
Temporary Judge Program FAQs
An attorney who volunteers and is trained to hear and decide cases in specific areas of law. A Temporary Judge is also called a “judge pro tem.”
The application and training requirements are available on this webpage. Please e-mail your completed application and online training certificates to judicialmentors@slo.courts.ca.gov to be considered. The Temporary Judge Administrator will confirm receipt and inform the applicant of any additional requirements.
Yes. You must be a member of the California State Bar in good standing for at least 10 years before appointment.
Yes. The specific training requirements detailed above must be satisfied to serve as a Temporary Judge.
Yes. There is a three-year eligibility period for serving as a Temporary Judge pursuant to California Rules of Court, Rule 2.812. At the end of the three-year period, a re-certification application must be submitted with certificates satisfying the continuing training requirements. The Court assists the Temporary Judges, but is not responsible, in tracking the expiry dates to prevent potential gaps in service.
Yes. You can receive MCLE credits for satisfying the training requirements.
No. Attorneys serving as Temporary Judges may never use the titles “Judge,” “Judge Pro Tem,” or “Temporary Judge” in any advertising, business card, etc. However, you may describe your service in resumes, applications, etc. At no time should members of the public be made to believe that you are a judicial officer of San Luis Obispo County Superior Court.
Your service does not create an employment relationship with the San Luis Obispo County Superior Court. This valuable service is voluntary and performed at the discretion of the Presiding Judge.