<P> The Judiciary of California is defined under the California Constitution , law , and regulations as part of the Government of California . The judiciary has a hierarchical structure with the Supreme Court at the apex , California courts of appeal as the primary appellate courts , and the California superior courts as the primary trial courts . Its administration is effected by the Judicial Council and its staff , as well as the relatively autonomous courts . California uses a modified Missouri Plan ( merit plan ) method of appointing judges , whereby judges are nominally elected at the superior court level ( but in practice are first appointed by the Governor ) and appointed at higher levels , and are subject to retention elections . </P>
<P> The Judiciary of California is defined under the California Constitution , law , and regulations as part of the Government of California . The judiciary has a hierarchical structure with the Supreme Court at the apex , California courts of appeal as the primary appellate courts , and the California superior courts as the primary trial courts . Its administration is effected by the Judicial Council and its staff , as well as the relatively autonomous courts . California uses a modified Missouri Plan ( merit plan ) method of appointing judges , whereby judges are nominally elected at the superior court level ( but in practice are first appointed by the Governor ) and appointed at higher levels , and are subject to retention elections . </P>
most california judges first gain their posts through
most california judges first gain their posts through
judges are nominally elected at the superior court level ( but in practice are first appointed by the Governor
judges are nominally elected at the superior court level ( but in practice are first appointed by the Governor