Reserve Judge
Encyclopedia
A Reserve Judge is a formerly elected judge
or, on occasion, an appointed official that offers their services as a substitute judge when required. Reserve judges supplement judges in states and municipalities that either do not have the number of judges needed to keep up with the number of cases filed, or as an alternate judge in jurisdiction
s with a single judge where a judge is substituted
or must recuse
himself. Reserve Judges may also be used as substitutes when another judge is ill or on vacation.
A Reserve Judge is distinguished from a Commissioner in that a Reserve Judge is meant for intermittent, temporary work
only, not as a permanent solution. Also, Reserve Judges may handle any cases a normal Judge can handle, whereas Commissioners are more limited in their authority.
Judge
A judge is a person who presides over court proceedings, either alone or as part of a panel of judges. The powers, functions, method of appointment, discipline, and training of judges vary widely across different jurisdictions. The judge is supposed to conduct the trial impartially and in an open...
or, on occasion, an appointed official that offers their services as a substitute judge when required. Reserve judges supplement judges in states and municipalities that either do not have the number of judges needed to keep up with the number of cases filed, or as an alternate judge in jurisdiction
Jurisdiction
Jurisdiction is the practical authority granted to a formally constituted legal body or to a political leader to deal with and make pronouncements on legal matters and, by implication, to administer justice within a defined area of responsibility...
s with a single judge where a judge is substituted
Substitution (law)
In legal terms, the Right of Substitution is a statutory right of all parties except the State. It is the right to change the presiding court official with or without cause....
or must recuse
Recusal
Judicial disqualification, also referred to as recusal, refers to the act of abstaining from participation in an official action such as a legal proceeding due to a conflict of interest of the presiding court official or administrative officer. Applicable statutes or canons of ethics may provide...
himself. Reserve Judges may also be used as substitutes when another judge is ill or on vacation.
A Reserve Judge is distinguished from a Commissioner in that a Reserve Judge is meant for intermittent, temporary work
Temporary work
Temporary work or temporary employment refers to a situation where the employee is expected to leave the employer within a certain period of time. Temporary employees are sometimes called "contractual", "seasonal", "interim", "casual staff", "freelance", or "part-time"; or the word may be shortened...
only, not as a permanent solution. Also, Reserve Judges may handle any cases a normal Judge can handle, whereas Commissioners are more limited in their authority.