Chapter 2.24 — JUDICIAL SYSTEM

State Constitution reference— 6.\For the constitutional provision establishing municipal and justice courts in counties, see CONST. Art. 6 § 5.

State Law reference— For the statutory provisions regarding the municipal court established in the Fresno Judicial District, see Gov. Code § 73680 et seq.

Pursuant to the Municipal and Justice Court Act of 1949, as amended, the judicial districts of the county, the names thereof, and the place or places of holding the sessions of the courts thereof are as set out in this chapter.

(Prior code, § 125 (part))

There is established a judicial district to be known and designated as the Consolidated Fresno Municipal Court Judicial District of the county of Fresno, state of California, the court therein to be known as the municipal court of the Consolidated Fresno Municipal Court Judicial District of the county of Fresno, state of California. The consolidated Fresno Judicial District shall include all of the area of the county of Fresno included within the former Fresno Judicial District and the former Clovis-Ponderosa Judicial District. The municipal court of the Consolidated Fresno Municipal Court Judicial District shall have a main office in the city of Fresno and a Clovis-Ponderosa office in the city of Clovis. The sessions of the municipal court shall be held in the cities of Fresno, Clovis and the community of Auberry as public convenience requires.

(Ord. 92-027, § 3; Ord. 601, § 1, 1978)

There is established a judicial district to be known and designated as the Central Valley Municipal Court Judicial District of the county of Fresno, state of California, the courts therein to be known as the municipal court of the Central Valley Municipal Court Judicial District of the county of Fresno, state of California. The Central Valley Municipal Court Judicial District shall consist of eight municipal court divisions which shall include all of the area of the county of Fresno not included within the Consolidated Fresno Municipal Court Judicial District, and more particularly described in Sections 2.24.030, 2.24.040, 2.24.070, 2.24.080, 2.24.090, 2.24.100, 2.24.110 and 2.24.120 of this code. These divisions shall constitute the "districts" referred to in subdivision (b) of Section 16 of Article 6 of the California Constitution for the purposes of the qualifications and election of judges. There shall be one judge in each division. The initial judges shall be selected pursuant to Sections 71080 and 71084 of the California Government Code. Thereafter, the judges in each division shall be elected by the voters residing in that division. The municipal court of the Central Valley Municipal Court Judicial District shall have an office in each division. The sessions of the municipal court shall be held in the cities of Firebaugh, Kerman, Sanger, Parlier, Selma, Reedley, Fowler, Coalinga, Kingsburg and the towns of Caruthers and Riverdale as public convenience requires. This section shall become operative as of the effective date of legislation amending the Government Code of California authorizing the establishment of the Central Valley Municipal Court.

(Ord. 92-027, § 2)

There is established a division of the Central Valley Municipal Court Judicial District to be known and designated as the Firebaugh Division of the Central Valley Municipal Court of the county of Fresno, state of California. Sessions of the Firebaugh Division shall be held in the city of Firebaugh or such other locations as public convenience requires.

Said division is described as:

Beginning at the intersection of the San Benito County line and the Merced County line; thence east along the Merced County line to the middle of the San Joaquin River; thence along the San Joaquin River in a southeasterly direction to the western corner of Section 30, Township 13 South, Range 16 East, Mount Diablo Base and Meridian; thence south to the southwest comer of Section 19, Township 14 South, Range 16 East; thence west to the northwest corner of Section 26 of Township 14 South, Range 15 East; thence south to the centerline of American Avenue; thence west along American Avenue extended to the northwest corner of Section 4 of Township 15 South, Range 15 East; thence south to the southwest corner of Section 16 of said Township; thence west to the centerline of Derrick Avenue (State Highway 33); thence south along Derrick Avenue to northwest comer of Section 6, Township 16 South, Range 15 East; thence west to the intersection of the middle of the California Aqueduct; thence following the said California Aqueduct in a southeasterly direction to its intersection with the centerline of Mt. Whitney Avenue; thence west along Mt. Whitney Avenue to the southeast corner of Section 21 of Township 17 South, Range 15 East; thence north to the centerline of Harlan Avenue; thence west along Harlan Avenue to the centerline of Derrick Avenue; thence south along Derrick Avenue to the southeast corner of Section 24, Township 17 South, Range 14 East; thence west to the southwest corner of Section 22 of said Township; thence north to the northeast corner of Section 4 of said Township; thence west to the San Benito County line; thence north along the said line to the point of beginning.

(Ord. 95-007, § 1; Ord. 92-027, § 4; Ord. 0-85-015, § 1; prior code, § 125(2))

There is established a division of the Central Valley Municipal Court Judicial District to be known and designated as the Kerman Division of the Central Valley Municipal Court of the county of Fresno, state of California. Sessions of the Kerman Division shall be held in the city of Kerman or such other locations as public convenience requires. Said division is described as:

Beginning at a point in the middle of the San Joaquin River near the western corner of Section 30, Township 13 South, Range 16 East Mount Diablo Base and Meridian; thence along the San Joaquin River in an easterly direction to its intersection with Chateau Fresno Avenue; thence south along Chateau Fresno Avenue extended to the southern boundary of Section 32, Township 14 South, Range 19 East; thence west to the southwest corner of Section 31 of said Township; hence south to the centerline of South Avenue; thence west along South Avenue to the centerline of McMullin Grade; thence along McMullin Grade in a southwesterly direction to the middle of the Fresno Slough Bypass; thence along the Fresno Slough Bypass in a southeasterly direction to its intersection with Kamm Avenue; thence south along the western boundaries of Sections 19, 30, and 31 of Township 16 South, Range 18 East to the centerline of Elkhorn Avenue; thence west along Elkhorn Avenue to the intersection with Madera Avenue; thence south along Madera Avenue to the southeast corner of Section 1, Township 17 South, Range 17 East; thence west to the northwest corner of Section 10 of said Township; thence south to the southwest corner of said section; thence west to the northwest corner of Section 15, Township 17 South, Range 16 East; thence south to southwest corner of said section; thence west to the center of the California Aqueduct; thence following the California Aqueduct in a northwesterly direction to the northwest corner of Section 5, Township 16 South, Range 14 East; thence east to the centerline of Derrick Avenue (State Highway 33); thence north along Derrick Avenue to the southwest corner of Section 18 of Township 15 South, Range 15 East; thence east to the southwest corner of Section 16 of said Township; thence north to the northwest corner of Section 4 of said Township; thence east along American Avenue extended to San Mateo Avenue extended; thence north along San Mateo Avenue to the northwest corner of Section 26 of Township 14 South, Range 15 East; thence east to the southeast corner of Section 24 of said Township; thence north to the Madera County line to the point of beginning.

(Ord. 95-007, § 2; Ord. 92-027, § 5; Ord. 0-85-015, § 2; prior code, § 125(3)).

There is established a division of the Central Valley Municipal Court Judicial District to be known and designate as the Sanger Division of the Central Valley Municipal Court of the county of Fresno, state of California. Sessions of the Sanger Division shall be held in the city of Sanger or such other locations as public convenience requires. Said division is described as:

Beginning at the intersection of Temperance and Central Avenues; thence north along Temperance Avenue to Jensen Avenue; thence east along Jensen Avenue to Locan Avenue; thence north along Locan Avenue to Belmont Avenue; thence east along Belmont Avenue to Highland Avenue; thence north along Highland Avenue to Ashlan Avenue; thence east along Ashlan Avenue to Del Rey Avenue; thence north along Del Rey Avenue to Shaw Avenue; thence east along Shaw Avenue to Academy Avenue; thence north along Academy Avenue to Herndon; thence east along Herndon Avenue extended to the southwest corner of Section 35, Township 12 South, Range 23 East, Mount Diablo Base and Meridian; thence north to the northwest corner of said section; thence east to the southwest corner of Section 25 of said Township;

thence note to the northwest corner of said section; thence east to the southwest corner of Section 20, Township 12 South, Range 24 East; thence north to the northwest corner of Section 8 of said Township; thence east to the northeast corner of Section 12, Township 12 South, Range 25 East; thence south to the southeast corner of Section 36 of said Township; thence west to the intersection of the middle of the Kings River; thence along the Kings River in a southwesterly direction to the middle of the Friant-Kern Canal; thence along the Friant-Kern Canal in a southeasterly direction to the northern boundary of Section 2, Township 14 South, Range 23 East approximately ½ mile from the northwest corner of said section; thence east to the northeast corner of Section 1 of said Township; thence south to the centerline of Kings Canyon Road (State Highway 180); thence west along Kings Canyon Road to the centerline of Reed Avenue; thence south along Reed Avenue to a point approximately ½ mile south of the northern boundary of Section 22, Township 14 South, Range 23 East; thence west to the centerline of MacDonough Avenue; thence northerly along MacDonough Avenue to the centerline of Annendale Avenue; thence westerly along Annendale Avenue to the middle of the Kings River; thence along the Kings River in a southwesterly direction to the centerline of Goodfellow Avenue; thence west along Goodfellow Avenue and Central Avenue to the point of beginning.

(Ord. 95-007, § 4; Ord. 92-027, § 6: prior code 125(6))

There is established a division of the Central Valley Municipal Court Judicial District to be known and designated as the Reedley-Dunlap Division of the Central Valley Municipal Court of the county of Fresno, state of California. Sessions of the Reedley-Dunlap Division shall be held in the city of Reedley or such other locations as public convenience requires. Said division is described as:

Beginning at a point in the middle of the Kings River at the Tulare County line; thence along said County line in a Easterly direction to its intersection with the Inyo County line; thence along said County line in a Northwesterly direction to the intersection with the Northern bounder of Township 11 South, extended; thence West to the Northwest corner of Section 6, Township 11 South, Range 28 East; thence South to the Southwest corner of Section 31, Township 12 South, Range 28 East; thence West to the middle of the Kings River; thence along the Kings River in a Southwesterly direction to the middle of the Friant-Fern Canal; thence along the Friant-Kern Canal in a Southeasterly direction to a point along the Northern bound of Section 2, Township 14 South, Range 23 East approximately ½ mile from the Northwest corner of said section; thence East to the Northeast corner of Section 1 of said Township; thence South to the centerline of Kings Canyon Road (State Highway 180); thence West along Kings Canyon Road to the centerline of Reed Avenue; thence South along Reed avenue to a point approximately ½ mile south of the Northern boundary of Section 22, Township 14 South, Range 23 East; thence West to the centerline of MacDonough Avenue; thence North along MacDonough Avenue to the centerline of Annadale Avenue; thence Westerly along Annadale Avenue to the middle of the Kings River; thence along the Kings River in a Southeasterly direction to its intersection with the northern alignment of Smith Avenue; thence South along Smith Avenue to the centerline of Floral Avenue; thence East along Floral Avenue to the centerline of McDonough Avenue to the centerline of Rose Avenue; thence East along Rose Avenue to the Tulare County line; thence along said county line in a Northeasterly direction to the point of beginning.

(Ord. 95-023, § 1; Ord. 95-007, § 5; Ord. 92-027, § 7; prior code, § 125(7))

There is established a division of the Central Valley Municipal Court Judicial District to be known and designated as the Fowler-Caruthers-Parlier Division of the Central Valley Municipal Court of the county of Fresno, state of California. Sessions of the Fowler-Caruthers Division shall be held in the cities of Fowler and Parlier and the town of Caruthers, or such other locations as public convenience requires. Said division is described as:

Beginning at the Southwest corner of Section 32, Township 14 South, Range 19 East, Mount Diablo Base and Meridian, thence East to the centerline of Brawley Avenue; thence South along Brawley Avenue to the centerline of Adams Avenue; thence East along Adams Avenue to the centerline of Marks Avenue; thence South along Marks Avenue to the centerline of South Avenue; thence East along South Avenue to the centerline of East Avenue; thence North along East Avenue to the centerline of American Avenue; thence East along American Avenue to the centerline of Temperance Avenue; thence North along Temperance Avenue to the centerline of Central Avenue; thence East along Central Avenue and Goodfellow Avenue to the center of the Kings River; thence along the Kings River in a Southeasterly direction to its intersection with the northern alignment of Smith Avenue; thence South along Smith Avenue to the centerline of Floral Avenue; thence West along Floral Avenue extended to the centerline of Ziedecker Avenue; thence South along Ziedecker Avenue to the centerline of Rose Avenue; thence west along Rose Avenue to the centerline of Newmark Avenue; thence South along Newmark Avenue to the centerline of Nebraska Avenue; thence West along Nebraska Avenue to the centerline of Academy Avenue; thence South along Academy Avenue to the centerline of Mt. View Avenue; thence West along Mt. View Avenue to the centerline of Bethel Avenue; thence North along Bethel Avenue to the centerline of Manning Avenue; thence West along Manning Avenue to the centerline of DeWolf Avenue; thence South along DeWolf Avenue to the intersection of Floral Avenue extended; thence West along Floral Avenue extended to the centerline of Minnewawa Avenue; thence south along Minnewawa Avenue to the intersection of Saginaw Avenue extended; thence West to the centerline of Peach Avenue; thence South along Peach Avenue to the centerline of Kamm Avenue; thence West along Kamm Avenue to the centerline of Chestnut Avenue; thence South along Chestnut Avenue extended to the centerline of Elkhorn Avenue; thence West along Elkhorn Avenue to the centerline of Brawley Avenue; thence North along Brawley Avenue to the centerline of Clarkson Avenue; thence West along Clarkson Avenue to the centerline of Cornelia Avenue; thence North along Cornelia Avenue to the centerline of Conejo Avenue; thence West along Conejo Avenue to the centerline of Westlawn Avenue extended; thence North along Westlawn Avenue to the centerline of Mt. View Avenue; thence West along Mt. View Avenue extended to the center of the Fresno Slough; thence along the Fresno Slough in a Northwesterly direction to its intersection with McMullin Grade; thence Northeasterly along McMullin Grade to the Northwest corner of Section 21, Township 15 South, Range 18 East; thence East to the Northeast corner of Section 24 of said Township; thence North to the Southwest corner of Section 31, Township 14 South, Range 19 East; thence East to the point of beginning.

(Ord. 95-023, § 2; Ord. 95-007, § 6; Ord. 92-027, § 8; prior code, § 125(8))

There is established a division of the Central Valley Municipal Court Judicial District to be known and designate as the Selma Division of the Central Valley Municipal Court of Fresno County, state of California. Sessions of the Selma Division shall be held in the city of Selma or such other locations as public convenience requires. Said division is described as:

Beginning at the intersection of Kamm Avenue and Peach Avenue; thence north along Peach Avenue to a point approximately one-half mile south of Nebraska Avenue; thence east to Minnewawa Avenue; thence north along Minnewawa Avenue to the centerline of Floral Avenue; thence east along Floral Avenue extended to the intersection of DeWolf Avenue; thence north along DeWolf Avenue to the centerline of Manning Avenue; thence east along Manning Avenue to the centerline of Bethel Avenue; thence south along Bethel Avenue to the centerline of Caruthers Avenue; thence west along Caruthers Avenue extended to the centerline of Del Rey Avenue; thence south along Del Rey Avenue to the centerline of Clarkson Avenue; thence west along Clarkson Avenue to the centerline of DeWolf Avenue; thence south along De Wolf Avenue approximately one-half mile; thence west to the centerline of Temperance Avenue; thence north to the centerline of Clarkson Avenue; thence west along Clarkson Avenue approximately one-half mile; thence north approximately one-half mile; thence west to the centerline of Fowler Avenue; thence north along Fowler Avenue to the centerline of Kamm Avenue; thence west along Kamm Avenue to the point of beginning.

(Ord. 95-007, § 7; Ord. 92-027, § 9; Ord. 431-A-6, § 1 (part), 1973; prior code, § 125 (9))

There is established a division of the Central Valley Municipal Court Judicial District to be known and designated as the Kingsburg-Riverdale Division of the Central Valley Municipal Court of the county of Fresno, state of California. Sessions of the Kingsburg-Riverdale Division shall be held in the city of Kingsburg and the town of Riverdale, or such other locations as public convenience requires. Said division is described as:

Beginning at the intersection of Harlan Avenue extended and the California Aqueduct; thence east to the southwest corner of Section 15, Township 17 South, Range 16 East, Mount Diablo Base and Meridian; thence north to the northwest corner of said Section; thence east to the southeast corner of Section 9, Township 17 South, Range 17 East; thence north to the northeast corner of said section; thence east to the centerline of Madera Avenue; thence north along Madera Avenue to the centerline of Elkhorn Avenue; thence east along Elkhorn Avenue to the southwest corner of Section 31, Township 16 South, Range 18 East; thence north to the northwest corner of Section 18 of said Township; thence east to the northeast corner of Section 13 of said Township; thence south to the southeast corner of Section 24 of said Township; thence east to the centerline of Cornerlia Avenue; thence south along Cornelia Avenue to the southeast corner of Section 27, Township 16 South, Range 19 East; thence east to the centerline of Brawley Avenue; thence south along Brawley Avenue to the centerline of Elkhorn Avenue; thence east along Elkhorn Avenue to the southwest corner of Section 31, Township 16 South, Range 21 East; thence north along Chestnut Avenue extended to the centerline of Kamm Avenue; thence east along Kamm Avenue to the centerline of Fowler Avenue; thence south along Fowler Avenue to a point approximately one-half mile south of Conejo Avenue; thence east approximately one-half mile; thence south to the centerline of Clarkson Avenue; thence east to the centerline of Temperance Avenue; thence south along Temperance Avenue extended approximately one-half mile; thence east to the centerline of DeWolf Avenue; thence north along DeWolf Avenue to Clarkson Avenue; thence east along Clarkson Avenue to the centerline of Del Rey Avenue; thence north along Del Rey Avenue to a point approximately one-half mile north of Kamm Avenue; thence east to the centerline of Bethel Avenue; thence north along Bethel Avenue to the centerline of Mt. View Avenue; thence east along Mt. View Avenue to the centerline of Academy Avenue; thence north along Academy Avenue to the centerline of Nebraska Avenue; thence east along

Nebraska Avenue to the centerline of Newmark Avenue; thence north along Newmark Avenue to the centerline of Rose Avenue; thence east along Rose Avenue to the centerline of Ziedeker Avenue; thence north along Ziedeker Avenue to the centerline of Floral Avenue; thence east along Floral Avenue to the centerline of McDonough Avenue; thence south along McDonough Avenue to the centerline of Rose Avenue; thence east along Rose Avenue to the Tulare County line; thence along the Tulare and Kings County lines in a southwesterly direction to the southeast corner of Section 25 of Township 18 South, Range 18 East; thence west to the southeast corner of Section 30, Township 18 South, Range 17 East; thence north to the centerline of Mt. Whitney Avenue; thence west along Mt. Whitney Avenue to the center of the California Aqueduct; thence following the California Aqueduct in a northwesterly direction to the point of beginning.

(Ord. 95-007, § 8; Ord. 92-027, § 10; prior code, § 125 (10))

There is established a division of the Central Valley Municipal Court of Fresno County Judicial District to be known and designated as the Coalinga Division of the Central Valley Municipal Court of the county of Fresno, state of California. Sessions of Coalinga Division shall be held in the city of Coalinga or such other locations as public convenience requires. Such division is described as:

Beginning at the intersection of the Monterey County line and the Kings County line; thence in a northerly direction along the Monterey County line to the San Benito County line; thence along the San Benito County line in a northerly direction to the southwest corner of Section 31, Township 16 South, Range 13 East, Mt. Diablo Base and Meridian; thence east to northeast corner of Section 4, Township 17 South, Range 14 East; thence south to the southeast corner of Section 21 of said Township; thence east to the centerline of Derrick Avenue; thence north along Derrick Avenue to the centerline of Harlan Avenue; thence east along Harlan Avenue to the northeast corner of Section 21, Township 17 South, Range 15 East; thence south to the centerline of Mt. Whitney Avenue; thence east along Mt. Whitney to the centerline of Butte Avenue; thence south along Butte Avenue extended to the southeast corner of Section 30, Township 18 South, Range 17 East; thence east to the Kings County line; thence along said county line in a southwesterly direction to the point of beginning.

(Ord. 95-007, § 9; Ord. 92-027, § 11; prior code, § 125(11))

Trial jurors in the superior court, municipal court, and justice courts shall receive five dollars a day for each day's attendance as a juror and fifteen cents a mile, one way only, for each mile actually traveled in attending court as a juror.

(Ord. 87-016, § 1; Ord. 0-84-020, § 1; Ord. 0-81-001, § 1)

Grand jurors shall receive fifteen dollars for each day's attendance upon regularly called grand jury meetings, and fifteen dollars for each day's attendance for committee meetings. Grand jurors attending both a regular meeting and a committee meeting on a single day shall receive only the compensation for one meeting. Grand jurors shall, upon the effective date of the ordinance codified in this section, receive

mileage at the rate of twenty-three cents per mile to and from meetings. The mileage rate shall be increased or decreased to equal the mileage rate for reimbursement to county officials or employees based on price changes for unleaded gasoline in the Fresno Metropolis Area when the mileage rate for county officials or employees is also changed pursuant to Section 521 of the Fresno County Administrative Code; except that in no event shall the mileage rate for grand jurors be less than the minimum mileage rate as provided in Section 590 of the California Penal Code.

(Ord. 0-84-007, § 1; Ord. 0-82-005, § 1)