California Court Sessions

Article 5 deals with court sessions. Section 69740 requires each trial court to determine the number and location of sessions of the court necessary for the prompt disposition of the business before the court. In making this determination, the trial court is required to consider, among other factors, the impact of this provision on court employees, the availability and adequacy of facilities for holding the court session at the specific location, the efficiency and cost of holding the session at the specific location, any applicable security issues, and the convenience to the parties and the public served by the court.

In addition, in appropriate circumstances, upon agreement of the presiding judges of the courts, and in the discretion of the court, the location of a session may be outside the county, except that the consent of the parties is necessary to the holding of a criminal jury trial outside the county.

Section 69741 provides that a motion for new trial, and a motion for judgment notwithstanding the verdict may, with the written consent of all parties concerned, be heard at any place in the State of California by the judge who presided at the trial.

Section 69741.5 states that there may be as many sessions of a superior court, at the same time, as there are judges elected, appointed or assigned thereto. The judgments, orders, and proceedings of any session of a superior court, held by any one or more of the judges sitting therein, are equally effectual as though all the judges of the court presided at the session.