California Court Officers, Attaches, and Employees

Section 69893.7 provides that certain provisions apply to the Yolo County superior and municipal courts, including job classifications, compensation, and court reporters.

Section 69894 requires the superior court to provide any court user access to a lactation room in any courthouse in which a lactation room is also provided to court employees. The room must be located within the court facility in an area that is accessible to the public or in any location that is reasonably accessible to the public using the court facility.

Section 69894.3 provides that employees of the superior court in each county of the first class are entitled to step advancement, vacation, sick leave, holiday benefits and other leaves of absence and other benefits as may be directed by rules of the court. Where statutes require implementation by local ordinances for the extension of benefits to local officers and employees, these may be made applicable by rule to court personnel, including, but not limited to, jurors and judges.

In addition, court employees under this section have the right to transfer to other departments in the county government, subject to the approval of the board of supervisors, the county charter, and other usual conditions that may be placed upon the transfer. Moreover, employment by the court is deemed to be employment by the county, if approved by rule of court, for the purpose of determining a court employee’s rights with respect to a county’s ordinances providing for salary step advancements and other employee benefits and rights, including, but not limited to, amount of compensation, vacations, sick leave, and accumulated sick leave.

Section 69894.4 specifies that, in each county of the first class, whenever, because of the nature of the duties of any judge or officer of the court, the court determines that the best interest of the court would be served, it may assign an automobile in lieu of allowing traveling expenses.

Section 69894.5 allows the court by rule to employ and assign officers or attachés to perform the duties specified in existing law.

Section 69894.6 allows, in Los Angeles County, a majority of the judges of the superior court to appoint 362 court reporters at salary schedules specified. These court reporters serve at the pleasure of the court and may at any time be removed by the court in its discretion.

Section 69902 provides that any county having a retirement system for its employees may include in it the employees and attachés of the superior court of that county whose salaries are paid by the county.

Section 69905 authorizes in any county a majority of judges of the superior court to appoint research assistants. The number and compensation of research assistants are set by the judges and their compensation is paid by the county in which they serve.

Section 69906.5 provides that, in Mendocino County, the offices of assistant probation officer and deputy probation officer exist only if established by an ordinance adopted by the board of supervisors.

Section 69907 specifies that, in San Diego County, each judge of the superior court receives the same life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment insurance, comprehensive annual physical examinations, executive flexible benefits plan, and dental and vision insurance as provided by the County of San Diego for the classification of chief administrative officer.

Section 69909 requires in the County of Riverside for each judge of the superior court to receive the county flexible benefits plan, as well as long-term disability insurance to the same extent as provided by the County of Riverside for other elected county officials.

Section 69917 prohibits a subordinate judicial officer from engaging in the private practice of law, except to the extent permitted by Judicial Council rules. The term “subordinate judicial officer” is defined.