The Court of Appeal for the Fourth Appellate District was established June 5, 1929. It is now made up of six southern California counties, San Diego, Imperial, Orange, San Bernardino, Riverside and Inyo, divided into three divisions. The Fourth District is divided into three Divisions: San Diego (Division One), Riverside (Division Two), and Santa Ana (Division Three). Each division has a Presiding Justice and currently the Presiding Justice of Division One is also the Administrative Presiding Justice for the entire Fourth District and is appointed by the Chief Justice. Courts of appeal review final judgments of superior courts with most cases resolved by written opinion.[1]

__Division One__ is located in San Diego and hears appeals from the superior courts of San Diego and Imperial Counties. There are ten justices in Division One assisted by legal, clerical, administrative and technical staff.[1]

__Division Two__ is located in Riverside and hears appeals from the superior courts of Inyo, Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. There are eight justices in Division Two assisted by legal, clerical, administrative and technical staff.[1]

__Division Three__ is located in Santa Ana and hears appeals from the superior court in [Orange County]. There are eight justices in Division Three assisted by legal, clerical, administrative and technical staff.[1]

Together, the Fourth District includes Southern California counties to the east and south of Los Angeles County, as well as Inyo County. [1]

!Judicial selection

Justices of the California Courts of Appeal are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Commission on Judicial Appointments. The appointments must be confirmed by the public via retention election at the first general election following appointment. If retained by the voters, a court of appeal justice continues in office. If a judge is not retained by voters, the judge leaves office at the end of the term, and the governor may appoint a new judge.[2]

After that, the term of office depends on when the position became vacant. The California Constitution provides for a term of 12 years. However, if part of the term was served before the position became vacant, the justice serves the uncompleted part, either four or eight years. At the end of that term, the justice again must be confirmed by the voters at a general election in order to begin a new 12-year term.[2] 

! See Also
* [Supreme Court of California]

! Footnotes
[#1] [About 4th District|https://www.courts.ca.gov/2620.htm] \\
[#2] [California Courts of Appeal|https://ballotpedia.org/California_Courts_of_Appeal]