Supreme Court of California

Supreme Court of California. The Supreme Court of California is the court of last resort in the U.S. state of California. It is headquartered in San Francisco and regularly holds sessions in Los Angeles and Sacramento. The court's decisions are binding on all other California courts under the Constitution of California.

History

The court was established in 1849 following the adoption of the first Constitution of California, prior to California's Admission to the Union in 1850. Its early years were marked by the tumultuous California Gold Rush and frequent relocation between San Jose, Vallejo, and Sacramento. A pivotal reorganization occurred under the 1879 Constitution of California, which reduced the court's size and shifted judicial selection to popular election. The court played a significant role during the Progressive Era, and its structure was further modernized by a 1934 amendment instituting the Commission on Judicial Appointments. Landmark decisions in the mid-20th century, particularly under Chief Justice Roger J. Traynor, established its national reputation for judicial innovation.

Composition and selection

The court consists of a chief justice and six associate justices. Appointments are made by the Governor of California from a list of candidates vetted by the State Bar of California's Commission on Judicial Nominees Evaluation. Each appointee must be confirmed by the Commission on Judicial Appointments, a body comprising the chief justice, the Attorney General of California, and a presiding justice of the California Courts of Appeal. After confirmation, justices face a retention election at the next California gubernatorial election and subsequently every 12 years. This hybrid system, blending appointment and election, was created by the 1934 constitutional amendment known as the California Judicial Selection Reform.

Jurisdiction and powers

The court has mandatory jurisdiction over all appeals resulting in a death penalty sentence, which are automatically appealed directly from California superior courts. It exercises discretionary jurisdiction over cases decided by the California Courts of Appeal, granted via a petition for review. The court also possesses original jurisdiction in matters of habeas corpus, mandamus, and prohibition, and may review decisions of the California Public Utilities Commission. It oversees the administration of the entire California court system and has the authority to make rules for all California state courts. All of its published opinions are binding precedent under the principle of stare decisis.

Notable decisions

The court has issued many influential rulings that have shaped California law and influenced national jurisprudence. In People v. Anderson (1972), it declared the death penalty unconstitutional under the Constitution of California, a decision later overturned by a ballot initiative. The Marvin v. Marvin decision established legal principles for palimony and non-marital partnerships. In In re Marriage Cases, the court held that statutes limiting marriage to opposite-sex couples violated the Constitution of California, a ruling that preceded the U.S. Supreme Court decision on the same issue. Other significant cases include Li v. Yellow Cab Co., which adopted comparative negligence, and Tarasoff v. Regents of the University of California, establishing a duty to protect.

Courthouse and facilities

The court's primary seat is the Earl Warren Building at 350 McAllister Street in the Civic Center area of San Francisco, named for former Chief Justice Earl Warren. The building, completed in 1922, also houses the First District Court of Appeal. The court maintains permanent branch offices in Los Angeles and Sacramento, where it regularly holds oral arguments. These facilities are part of the Judicial Council of California's administrative purview. The San Francisco courtroom is noted for its Beaux-Arts architecture and is a designated city landmark.

Current justices

The court as of 2023 is composed of Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero and Associate Justices Goodwin Liu, Joshua P. Groban, Leondra Kruger, Martin Jenkins, Carol A. Corrigan, and Kelli Evans. Guerrero, appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom, is the first Latina to serve as chief justice. The bench includes former federal appellate law clerk Leondra Kruger, former U.S. Department of Justice official Joshua P. Groban, and former federal district court judge Martin Jenkins. Justices Goodwin Liu and Carol A. Corrigan are the longest-serving current members.