COUNTYWIDE : Courthouse in Simi to Have 2nd Jurist

The County Board of Supervisors agreed Tuesday to hire a second jurist for the new, nearly vacant East County Courthouse.

The new official, a commissioner who would preside over both Municipal and Superior Court cases, is expected to begin work Jan. 5 at the Simi Valley facility, officials said.

The new jurist will handle family law cases, a variety of court orders and some civil trials, said courts Executive Officer Sheila Gonzalez. Other duties are still uncertain, she said.

“We’re having discussions with the local Bar right now,” she said. “They’re making recommendations.”

Though the new court commissioner will be paid an $84,402 annual salary and receive another $30,000 in benefits, Gonzalez said the position will not increase the county’s overall court budget.

That is because jurisdiction over juvenile traffic cases would be shifted from Superior Court to Municipal Court, and juveniles would be allowed to pay fines without appearing in person, she said.

The switch will eliminate the need for a traffic hearing officer, who is paid $54,000 a year, and will increase money from traffic fines by $84,000, Gonzalez estimated.

Supervisor Vicky Howard, who represents the Simi Valley area, said the placement of a second commissioner at the East County Courthouse is a significant step forward. The facility has five courtrooms.

“We need a lot more judges and commissioners out here,” Howard said. “But when we built the courthouse, we knew we weren’t going to fill it up immediately.”