Rule 3 Assignment of Cases and Actions

When a new case is filed in superior court, the clerk assigns it to a specific judge. That judge then handles the case from start to finish. This system keeps cases organized and makes sure one judge stays familiar with each case throughout the process.

If a judge needs to be replaced for any reason, the chief judge of the court can reassign the case to another judge. Local courts may also have their own specific procedures for how cases get assigned, as long as those procedures follow the statewide rules.