Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteer Program

The court first tapped volunteer power in 1986 when it opened the original Children's Waiting Room. Since then, the volunteer program has expanded to embrace additional volunteer roles for qualified current law school students (judicial internship program), qualified attorneys (temporary judges/settlement attorneys), and members of the public who may be interested in helping in the business offices, information desks or Children's Waiting Rooms.

Guidelines

  • Superior Court is committed to the concept that volunteers are equally as important as employees and affords them the same respect and consideration. Like employees, volunteers are expected to report for duty as assigned and to give appropriate feedback to their supervisors.
  • The Volunteer Program maintains a personnel file on each participant, which records the hours worked in each assignment.
  • Volunteer applicants must be at least 18-years-old.
  • To maintain courthouse security, prospective volunteers must pass a criminal background check, including fingerprints, before acceptance into the program.
  • Volunteer applicants must be able to commit to being available four hours a week for at least four months in order to be considered. Available shifts are Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
  • All volunteers are trained on a one-to-one basis in the work they will perform. 

Fill out the online volunteer interest form to get started.

Judicial Internship Program

Current law school students have the opportunity to intern with the Court while enrolled in law school. The program provides a behind-the-scenes overview of the practice of law in Superior Court so that students can apply what they have learned in law school to real cases and better understand expectations of licensed attorneys. The Court has potential assignments in civil, criminal, family, juvenile and probate at various branches in the County (Central, North, East and South). Please refer to the Judicial Internship Program fact sheet for more information and deadlines for application.

Temporary Judges/Settlement Attorneys

Please refer to the Temporary Judges/Settlement Attorneys page to find information about volunteering as a Temporary Judge (Judge Pro Tem) or Settlement Attorney.

Information Desks

Problem solvers do well at the courthouse information desks, directing individuals to courtrooms, district attorney offices, or related justice agencies located nearby.

Available at Central Courthouse.

Business Offices

Business offices in the courthouse play a vital role in the administration of justice.  Volunteers placed in the business offices assist in the day-to-day operations of a designated department or work unit of the court. You can gain experience and knowledge while assisting court staff with various tasks that can include filing, making copies, and other administrative activities.

Volunteer opportunities available at: Central Courthouse and North County Regional Center

Children's Waiting Rooms

Courthouses are not always an ideal environment for children. The emotionally-charged atmosphere can be frightening and your presence as a trained volunteer in the fully-equipped Children's Waiting Room creates a safer, more nurturing alternative to the hallway. Our caring volunteers engage with kids during their stay, helping them to enjoy their time with the toys and games available in each room.

Volunteer opportunities are available at: Central Courthouse, Juvenile, East County Regional Center, South County Regional Center.