Alameda County has a high turn-over rate for judges in the Family Law circuit; a DwD data analysis of departments and judicial appointments shows that if you filed in 2013 your average chance of having the same judge and department from one year to the next is ~30%. Judges are often moved or replaced annually and without notice, usually at the beginning of the year. A new judge can significantly impact your case by the judge's:
- Being overloaded with a high caseload in their new role
- Not having any background regarding your case
- Bringing their own inexperience or subjective views to the courtroom
Family Law is considered by many to be the "bottom of the totem-pole" of the court system; placement of judges and commissioners is often a holding place until there is an opening in the sector of law they are interested in.
Alameda County Judicial Assignments can be found here. DwD recommends checking this link frequently before appearing in court to best prepare as your courtroom strategy may change depending on the judge hearing your case.