Judicial Administration

Honorable Shelly Averill

Presiding Judge

Honorable Christopher Honigsberg

Assistant Presiding Judge

Judicial Council

The Judicial Council is the policymaking body of the California courts, the largest court system in the nation. Under the leadership of the Chief Justice and in accordance with the California Constitution, the council is responsible for ensuring the consistent, independent, impartial, and accessible administration of justice.

Our Mission

We are committed to providing knowledgeable, courteous, timely, efficient and economical administration of court services for the purpose of resolving disputes and dispensing fair and equal justice to the community.

Superior Courts

Prior to June 1998, California's trial courts consisted of Superior and Municipal courts, each with its own jurisdiction and with its number of judges fixed by the Legislature.

On June 2, 1998, California voters approved a constitutional amendment permitting the judges in each county to unify their superior and municipal courts into a single superior court with jurisdiction over all case types.

The goal of court unification is to improve services to the public by consolidating court resources, offering greater flexibility in case assignments, and saving taxpayer dollars.

The Sonoma County Superior and Municipal Courts were administratively consolidated in January of 1994. The Judges and Commissioners of the Sonoma County Courts became fully coordinated under one Presiding Judge in January 1997. The Municipal Court was formally dissolved and one unified Superior Court was created in June of 1998.