On November 8, 1904, Article 6, section 4 of the California Constitution was adopted, creating three District Courts of Appeal: the First District located in San Francisco, the Second District located in Los Angeles, and the Third District located in Sacramento. The Constitution was modified in 1966, and there are now six Courts of Appeal: The Fourth District with Divisions in San Diego, Riverside, and Santa Ana, the Fifth District in Fresno, and the Sixth District in San Jose.
The Second District held its first session on April 24, 1905. It is now made up of four counties, Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo. There are eight Divisions of four justices each. Divisions 1-5, 7, and 8 are located in Los Angeles and handle all matters arising from the Los Angeles Superior Court.
Division 6 is located in Ventura and handles all matters from the Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo Superior Courts.
Courts of Appeal review final judgments of Superior Courts for prejudicial errors of law. Most appellate dispositions are by written opinion. The Second District files over 5,000 appellate opinions each year. Courts of Appeal have original jurisdiction over writs of habeas corpus, mandamus, prohibition, and certiorari. Writ petitions may be disposed of by summary order or written opinion. The Second District disposes of over 3,700 writ petitions yearly.
Cases are decided by randomly selected three Justice panels. There are 32 Justices in the Second District. Justices are appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Commission on Judicial Appointments. Newly appointed Justices must be retained by the public at the next general election and at the end of each 12-year term.
