Supervising Judge Law & Legal Definition

In California, Cal Rules of Court, Rule 10.950 provides that the presiding judge of a court having more than three judges may designate one or more departments primarily to hear criminal cases. Two or more departments so designated must be the criminal division. The presiding judge may designate supervising judges for the criminal division, but retains final authority over all criminal and civil case assignments.

Duties of supervising judges include conducting arraignments, hearing and determining any pretrial motions, presiding over readiness conferences, and, where not inconsistent with law, assisting in the disposition of cases without trial, and other duties assigned by the presiding judge or imposed by the rules. Apart from this a supervising judge of the criminal division must assign criminal matters requiring a hearing or cases requiring trial to a trial department.

The relevant section in California reads as follows:

Rule 10.951. Duties of supervising judge of the criminal division

(a) Duties In addition to any other duties assigned by the presiding judge or imposed by these rules, a supervising judge of the criminal division must assign criminal matters requiring a hearing or cases requiring trial to a trial department.

(Subd (a) amended effective January 1, 2007.)

(b) Arraignments, pretrial motions, and readiness conferences The presiding judge, supervising judge, or other designated judge must conduct arraignments, hear and determine any pretrial motions, preside over readiness conferences, and, where not inconsistent with law, assist in the disposition of cases without trial.

(Subd (b) amended effective January 1, 2008; previously amended effective January 1, 2007.)

(c) Additional judges To the extent that the business of the court requires, the presiding judge may designate additional judges under the direction of the supervising judge to perform the duties specified in this rule.

(d) Courts without supervising judge In a court having no supervising judge, the presiding judge performs the duties of a supervising judge.