Legal Question in Civil Litigation in California
How long does a superior court judge in a civil case have to issue a decision on a case after it has taken it under submission after hearing oral arguments? I has been 95 days and the clerk says I'll receive the decision by mail when the judge makes one! I am in pro per the petitioner to a writ of mandamus case that has now taken one full year since I first filed, do I have any options besides endlessly waiting?! Thanks in advance for any advice.
2 Answers from Attorneys
unfortunately you just have to wait
A judge is not supposed to have any matters pending for decision for more than 90 days. They are required to sign vouchers for their pay that indicate that they do not have any matters pending for decision over ninety days. If it becomes a persistent problem, the Commission on Judicial Performance can censor and even remove the judge from office.
Take a look at a recent decision: http://cjp.ca.gov/res/docs/Public_Admon/Schnider_DO_08-31-09.pdf