California Courts Overview

California Courts At a Glance

Court levels: 3

• Trial courts: 58; one in each county
• Court of Appeal districts: 6
• Highest court: California Supreme Court

The judicial branch budget is 1.5% of the State's General Fund.

The vast majority of cases in the California courts begin in one of the 58 superior, or trial, courts, which reside in each of the state’s 58 counties. With approximately 500 court buildings throughout the state, these courts hear both civil and criminal cases as well as family, probate, mental health, juvenile, and traffic cases.

The next level of judicial authority resides with the Courts of Appeal. Most cases before the Courts of Appeal involve the review of a superior court decision being contested by a party to the case. The Legislature divided the state geographically into six appellate districts.

The state Supreme Court serves as the highest court in the state and has discretion to review decisions of the Courts of Appeal in order to settle important questions of law and to resolve conflicts among the Courts of Appeal. The court also must review the appeal in any case in which a trial court has imposed a judgment of death.

For an expanded view of the California Court system and a list of Frequently Asked Questions, please visit the state's Judicial Branch website.