Below are tables showing authorized positions for U.S. district judges, U.S. bankruptcy judges, and U.S. magistrate judges. While district and bankruptcy judgeships are authorized by congressional statute, magistrate judgeships are authorized by the Judicial Conference of the United States. For more detail regarding the authorization of these judgeships, see the Legislative History and Succession Chart(s) pages for each district court (see menu at right), Authorized Bankruptcy Judgeships, Authorized Magistrate Judgeships (by location), and Authorized Magistrate Judgeships (by fiscal year).
Authorized District Judgeships |
||||||
|
|
California District |
Northern District |
Eastern District |
Central District |
Southern District |
Total Judgeships |
| September 28, 1850 9 Stat. 521 |
|
1 |
1 |
2 |
||
| August 31, 1852 10 Stat. 76, 84 |
|
1 |
1 |
1 |
||
| January 18, 1854 10 Stat. 265 |
|
1 |
1 |
2 |
||
| July 27, 1866 14 Stat. 300 |
1 |
|
|
1 |
||
| August 5, 1886 24 Stat. 308 |
|
1 |
1 |
2 |
||
| March 2, 1907 34 Stat. 1253 |
|
2 |
1 |
3 |
||
| July 30, 1914 38 Stat. 580 |
|
2 |
2 |
4 |
||
| September 14, 1922 42 Stat. 837 |
|
3 |
3 |
6 |
||
| July 27, 1930 46 Stat. 819 |
|
3 |
4 |
7 |
||
| August 2, 1935 49 Stat. 508 |
|
3 |
6 |
9 |
||
| May 31, 1938 52 Stat. 584, 585 |
|
4 |
7 |
11 |
||
| May 24, 1940 54 Stat. 219, 220 |
|
4 |
8 |
12 |
||
| June 15, 1946 60 Stat. 260 |
|
5 |
8 |
13 |
||
| August 3, 1949 63 Stat. 493 |
|
7 |
10 |
17 |
||
| February 10, 1954 68 Stat. 8 |
|
7 |
11 |
18 |
||
| May 19, 1961 75 Stat. 80 |
|
9 |
13 |
22 |
||
| March 18, 1966 80 Stat. 75 |
|
9 |
3 | 13 |
2 |
27 |
| June 2, 1970 84 Stat. 294 |
|
11 |
3 | 16 |
5 |
35 |
| October 20, 1978 92 Stat. 1629 |
|
12 |
6 | 17 |
7 |
42 |
| September 2, 1957 (effective September 18, 1979) 71 Stat. 586 |
13 |
6 | 17 |
7 |
43 |
|
| July 10, 1984 98 Stat. 333 |
|
13 |
6 | 22 |
7 |
48 |
| March 15, 1988 Temporary judgeship expired |
12 |
6 | 22 |
7 |
47 |
|
| December 1, 1990 104 Stat. 5089 |
|
14 |
7 | 27 |
8 |
56 |
| December 1, 1990 (effective July 1999) 104 Stat. 5089 |
|
15 |
7 | 27 |
8 |
57 |
| November 2, 2002 116 Stat. 1758 |
15 |
7 | 28 |
13 |
63 |
|
| May 15, 2003 Temporary judgeship expired |
14 |
7 | 28 |
13 |
62 |
|
| November 1, 2004 Temporary judgeship expired |
14 |
6 | 28 |
13 |
61 |
|
| December 1, 1990 (effective October 2011) 104 Stat. 5089 |
15 |
6 | 28 |
13 |
62 |
|
| December 31, 2014 Temporary judgeship expired |
14 | 6 | 28 | 13 | 61 | |
Authorized Bankruptcy Judgeships |
|||||
| Northern District |
Eastern District |
Central District |
Southern District |
Total Judgeships |
|
| July 10, 1984 98 Stat. 336 |
7 | 4 | 12 | 3 | 26 |
| October 27, 1986 100 Stat. 3088 |
9 | 6 | 19 | 4 | 38 |
| August 26, 1992 106 Stat. 965 |
9 | 6 | 21 | 4 | 40 |
| April 20, 2005 119 Stat. 196 |
9 | 7 (6 + 1 temporary) |
24 (21 + 3 temporary) |
4 | 44 (40 + 4 temporary) |
| February 2, 2018 Temporary judgeships expired |
9 | 7 (6 + 1 temporary) |
23 (21 + 2 temporary) |
4 | 43 (40 + 3 temporary) |
| June 30, 2018 Temporary judgeships expired |
9 | 7 (6 + 1 temporary) |
22 (21 + 1 temporary) |
4 | 42 (40 + 2 temporary) |
| January 31, 2019 Temporary judgeships expired |
9 | 6 | 22 (21 + 1 temporary) |
4 | 41 (40 + 1 temporary) |
| August 31, 2020 Temporary judgeships expired |
9 | 6 | 21 | 4 | 40 |
Authorized Magistrate Judgeships (by location) |
||
| Northern District | ||
| Location | Full-Time | Part-Time |
| Eureka | 1 (2010–2023) | 1 (1971–2009) |
| McKinleyville | 1 (2024-present) | |
| Monterey | 1 (1974–1977) | 1 (1978–1989) |
| Monterey or Salinas | 1 (1972–1973) | |
| Monterey or San Jose | 1 (1990–present) | |
| Oakland | 1 (1971–1983) | |
| Oakland or San Francisco | 1 (1984–1998) 2 (1999–present) |
|
| Salinas | 1 (1971) | |
| San Francisco | 3 (1971–1977) 4 (1978–1995) 5 (1996–present) |
|
| San Francisco or San Jose | 1 (2001–2015) 2 (2016–present) |
|
| San Jose | 1 (1987–present) | 1 (1971–1986) |
| Total | 3 (1971–1973) 4 (1974–1983) 5 (1984–1986) 6 (1987–1989) 7 (1990–1995) 8 (1996–1998) 9 (1999–2000) 10 (2001–2009) 11 (2010–2015) 12 (2016–present) |
4 (1971–1973) 3 (1974–1977) 4 (1978–1983) 3 (1984–1986) 2 (1987–1989) 1 (1990–2009) 0 (2010–present) |
| Eastern District | ||
| Location | Full-Time | Part-Time |
| Alturas | 1 (1971–1984) | |
| Bakersfield | 1 (2004–present) | 1 (1971–1992) |
| Bakersfield or Mojave | 1 (1996–2003) | |
| Bishop | 1 (1971–1994) | |
| Edwards Air Force Base* | 1 (1971–1972) | |
| Fresno | 1 (1977–1992) 2 (1993–1998) 3 (1999–2010) 4 (2011–present) |
1 (1971–1972) 2 (1973–1976) |
| Lassen Volcanic National Park | 1 (1971–1981) | |
| Merced | 1 (1971–1992) | |
| Modesto | 1 (1971–1982) | |
| Redding | 1 (2004–present) | 1 (1971–1998) |
| Redding or Susanville | 1 (1999–2003) | |
| Sacramento | 1 (1971–1985) 2 (1986–1989) 3 (1990–1997) 4 (1998–2010) 5 (2011–present) |
1 (1983–1985) |
| Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Park | 1 (1971–1992) | |
| South Lake Tahoe | 1 (1972–2003) | |
| Stockton | 1 (1971–1975) | |
| Susanville | 1 (1971–1998) | |
| Yosemite National Park | 1 (1973–present) | 1 (1971–1972) |
| Yreka | 1 (1971–1996) | |
| Total | 1 (1971–1972) 2 (1973–1976) 3 (1977–1985) 4 (1986–1989) 5 (1990–1992) 6 (1993–1997) 7 (1998) 8 (1999–2003) 10 (2004–2010) 12 (2011–present) |
14 (1971) 15 (1972) 14 (1973–1975) 13 (1976) 11 (1977–1981) 10 (1982–1984) 9 (1985) 8 (1986–1992) 5 (1993–1994) 4 (1995) 5 (1996) 4 (1997–1998) 3 (1999–2003) 0 (2004–present) |
| *The magistrate judgeship at Edwards Air Force Base was transferred to the Central District of California in 1972 and designated as a judgeship at Lancaster. The judgeship retained jurisdiction over the entirety of the base, including the portions lying in the Eastern and Central Districts. | ||
| Central District | ||
| Location | Full-Time | Part-Time |
| Barstow | 1 (1971) | |
| Barstow or Victorville | 1 (1972–2005) | |
| Lancaster* | 1 (1973–1995) | |
| Long Beach | 1 (1971–1993) | |
| Long Beach or Los Angeles | 1 (1994–present) | |
| Los Angeles | 3 (1971–1972) 4 (1973–1975) 5 (1976–1978) 6 (1979–1981) 7 (1982–1987) 8 (1988–1990) 10 (1991–1994) 11 (1995–1997) 12 (1998–2001) 15 (2002–2005) 16 (2006–present) |
|
| Los Angeles or Riverside | 1 (1998–2001) 2 (2002–present) |
|
| Los Angeles or Santa Ana | 1 (1986–1997) 2 (1998–present) |
|
| Oxnard or Santa Barbara | 1 (1972–1973) | |
| Oxnard or Ventura | 1 (1974–1993) | |
| Palm Springs or Twentynine Palms | 1 (1975–1993) | |
| Riverside | 1 (2006–present) | 1 (1971–1975) |
| Riverside or San Bernardino | 1 (1994–1997) | |
| Riverside or Santa Ana | 1 (2012–present) | |
| San Bernardino | 1 (1972–1993) | |
| San Luis Obispo | 1 (1971–1998) | |
| Santa Ana | 1 (1985) 0 (1986–2006) 1 (2007–present) |
1 (1971–1984) |
| Santa Barbara | 1 (1971) 0 (1972–1973) 1 (1974–1993) |
|
| Santa Barbara or Ventura | 1 (1994–present) | |
| Twentynine Palms | 1 (1971–1974) | |
| Total | 3 (1971–1972) 4 (1973–1975) 5 (1976–1978) 6 (1979–1981) 7 (1982–1984) 8 (1985–1987) 9 (1988–1990) 11 (1991–1993) 12 (1994) 13 (1995–1997) 16 (1998–2001) 20 (2002–2005) 22 (2006) 23 (2007–2011) 24 (2012–present) |
7 (1971) 8 (1972) 9 (1973) 10 (1974–1975) 9 (1976–1984) 8 (1985–1993) 5 (1994–1995) 4 (1996–1997) 3 (1998) 2 (1999–2005) 1 (2006–present) |
| *The magistrate judgeship at Edwards Air Force Base in the Eastern District of California was transferred to the Central District of California in 1972 and designated as a judgeship at Lancaster. The judgeship retained jurisdiction over the entirety of the base, including the portions lying within the Eastern and Central Districts. | ||
| Southern District | ||
| Location | Full-Time | Part-Time |
| El Centro | 1 (2001–present) | 1 (1971–2000) |
| San Diego | 2 (1971–1972) 3 (1973–1982) 4 (1983–1991) 5 (1992–1993) 7 (1994–1998) 8 (1999) 9 (2000–2010) 10 (2011–2020) 11 (2021–present) |
1 (1971–1982) |
| Total | 2 (1971–1972) 3 (1973–1982) 4 (1983–1991) 5 (1992–1993) 7 (1994–1998) 8 (1999) 9 (2000) 10 (2001–2010) 11 (2011–2020) 12 (2021–present) |
2 (1971–1982) 1 (1983–2000) 0 (2001–present) |
Authorized Magistrate Judgeships (by fiscal year) |
||||
| Northern District | ||||
| Fiscal Year(s) | Full-Time | Total | Part-Time | Total |
| 1971 | San Francisco (3) | 3 | Eureka, Oakland, Salinas, San Jose | 4 |
| 1972–1973 | San Francisco (3) | 3 | Eureka, Monterey or Salinas, Oakland, San Jose | 4 |
| 1974–1977 | Monterey, San Francisco (3) | 4 | Eureka, Oakland, San Jose | 3 |
| 1978–1983 | San Francisco (4) | 4 | Eureka, Monterey, Oakland, San Jose | 4 |
| 1984–1986 | Oakland or San Francisco, San Francisco (4) | 5 | Eureka, Monterey, San Jose | 3 |
| 1987–1989 | Oakland or San Francisco, San Francisco (4), San Jose | 6 | Eureka, Monterey | 2 |
| 1990–1995 | Monterey or San Jose, Oakland or San Francisco, San Francisco (4), San Jose | 7 | Eureka | 1 |
| 1996–1998 | Monterey or San Jose, Oakland or San Francisco, San Francisco (5), San Jose | 8 | Eureka | 1 |
| 1999–2000 | Monterey or San Jose, Oakland or San Francisco (2), San Francisco (5), San Jose | 9 | Eureka | 1 |
| 2001–2009 | Monterey or San Jose, Oakland or San Francisco (2), San Francisco (5), San Francisco or San Jose, San Jose | 10 | Eureka | 1 |
| 2010–2015 | Eureka, Monterey or San Jose, Oakland or San Francisco (2), San Francisco (5), San Francisco or San Jose, San Jose | 11 | 0 | |
| 2016–2023 | Eureka, Monterey or San Jose, Oakland or San Francisco (2), San Francisco (5), San Francisco or San Jose (2), San Jose | 12 | 0 | |
| 2024-present | McKinleyville, Monterey or San Jose, Oakland or San Francisco (2), San Francisco (5), San Francisco or San Jose (2), San Jose | 12 | 0 | |
| Eastern District | ||||
| Fiscal Year (s) | Full-Time | Total | Part-Time | Total |
| 1971 | Sacramento | 1 | Alturas, Bakersfield, Bishop, Edwards Air Force Base, Fresno, Lassen Volcanic National Park, Merced, Modesto, Redding, Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Park, Stockton, Susanville, Yosemite National Park, Yreka | 14 |
| 1972 | Sacramento | 1 | Alturas, Bakersfield, Bishop, Edwards Air Force Base*, Fresno, Lassen Volcanic National Park, Merced, Modesto, Redding, Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Park, South Lake Tahoe, Stockton, Susanville, Yosemite National Park, Yreka | 15 |
| 1973–1975 | Sacramento, Yosemite National Park | 2 | Alturas, Bakersfield, Bishop, Fresno (2), Lassen Volcanic National Park, Merced, Modesto, Redding, Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Park, South Lake Tahoe, Stockton, Susanville, Yreka | 14 |
| 1976 | Sacramento, Yosemite National Park | 2 | Alturas, Bakersfield, Bishop, Fresno (2), Lassen Volcanic National Park, Merced, Modesto, Redding, Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Park, South Lake Tahoe, Susanville, Yreka | 13 |
| 1977–1981 | Fresno, Sacramento, Yosemite National Park | 3 | Alturas, Bakersfield, Bishop, Lassen Volcanic National Park, Merced, Modesto, Redding, Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Park, South Lake Tahoe, Susanville, Yreka | 11 |
| 1982 | Fresno, Sacramento, Yosemite National Park | 3 | Alturas, Bakersfield, Bishop, Merced, Modesto, Redding, Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Park, South Lake Tahoe, Susanville, Yreka | 10 |
| 1983–1984 | Fresno, Sacramento, Yosemite National Park | 3 | Alturas, Bakersfield, Bishop, Merced, Redding, Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Park, Sacramento, South Lake Tahoe, Susanville, Yreka | 10 |
| 1985 | Fresno, Sacramento, Yosemite National Park | 3 | Bakersfield, Bishop, Merced, Redding, Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Park, Sacramento, South Lake Tahoe, Susanville, Yreka | 9 |
| 1986–1989 | Fresno, Sacramento (2), Yosemite National Park | 4 | Bakersfield, Bishop, Merced, Redding, Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Park, South Lake Tahoe, Susanville, Yreka | 8 |
| 1990–1992 | Fresno, Sacramento (3), Yosemite National Park | 5 | Bakersfield, Bishop, Merced, Redding, Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Park, South Lake Tahoe, Susanville, Yreka | 8 |
| 1993–1994 | Fresno (2), Sacramento (3), Yosemite National Park | 6 | Bishop, Redding, South Lake Tahoe, Susanville, Yreka | 5 |
| 1995 | Fresno (2), Sacramento (3), Yosemite National Park | 6 | Redding, South Lake Tahoe, Susanville, Yreka | 4 |
| 1996 | Fresno (2), Sacramento (3), Yosemite National Park | 6 | Bakersfield or Mojave, Redding, South Lake Tahoe, Susanville, Yreka | 5 |
| 1997 | Fresno (2), Sacramento (3), Yosemite National Park | 6 | Bakersfield or Mojave, Redding, South Lake Tahoe, Susanville | 4 |
| 1998 | Fresno (2), Sacramento (4), Yosemite National Park | 7 | Bakersfield or Mojave, Redding, South Lake Tahoe, Susanville | 4 |
| 1999–2003 | Fresno (3), Sacramento (4), Yosemite National Park | 8 | Bakersfield or Mojave, Redding or Susanville, South Lake Tahoe | 3 |
| 2004–2010 | Bakersfield, Fresno (3), Redding, Sacramento (4), Yosemite National Park | 10 | 0 | |
| 2011–present | Bakersfield, Fresno (4), Redding, Sacramento (5), Yosemite National Park | 12 | 0 | |
| *The magistrate judgeship at Edwards Air Force Base was transferred to the Central District of California in 1972 and designated as a judgeship at Lancaster. The judgeship retained jurisdiction over the entirety of the base, including the portions lying in the Eastern and Central Districts. | ||||
| Central District | ||||
| Fiscal Year (s) | Full-Time | Total | Part-Time | Total |
| 1971 | Los Angeles (3) | 3 | Barstow, Long Beach, Riverside, San Luis Obispo, Santa Ana, Santa Barbara, Twentynine Palms | 7 |
| 1972 | Los Angeles (3) | 3 | Barstow or Victorville, Long Beach, Oxnard or Santa Barbara, Riverside, San Luis Obispo, San Bernardino, Santa Ana, Twentynine Palms | 8 |
| 1973 | Los Angeles (4) | 4 | Barstow or Victorville, Lancaster*, Long Beach, Oxnard or Santa Barbara, Riverside, San Luis Obispo, San Bernardino, Santa Ana, Twentynine Palms | 9 |
| 1974 | Los Angeles (4) | 4 | Barstow or Victorville, Lancaster, Long Beach, Oxnard or Ventura, Riverside, San Luis Obispo, San Bernardino, Santa Ana, Santa Barbara, Twentynine Palms | 10 |
| 1975 | Los Angeles (4) | 4 | Barstow or Victorville, Lancaster, Long Beach, Oxnard or Ventura, Palm Springs or Twentynine Palms, Riverside, San Luis Obispo, San Bernardino, Santa Ana, Santa Barbara | 10 |
| 1976–1978 | Los Angeles (5) | 5 | Barstow or Victorville, Lancaster, Long Beach, Oxnard or Ventura, Palm Springs or Twentynine Palms, San Luis Obispo, San Bernardino, Santa Ana, Santa Barbara | 9 |
| 1979–1981 | Los Angeles (6) | 6 | Barstow or Victorville, Lancaster, Long Beach, Oxnard or Ventura, Palm Springs or Twentynine Palms, San Luis Obispo, San Bernardino, Santa Ana, Santa Barbara | 9 |
| 1982–1984 | Los Angeles (7) | 7 | Barstow or Victorville, Lancaster, Long Beach, Oxnard or Ventura, Palm Springs or Twentynine Palms, San Luis Obispo, San Bernardino, Santa Ana, Santa Barbara | 9 |
| 1985 | Los Angeles (7), Santa Ana | 8 | Barstow or Victorville, Lancaster, Long Beach, Oxnard or Ventura, Palm Springs or Twentynine Palms, San Luis Obispo, San Bernardino, Santa Barbara | 8 |
| 1986–1987 | Los Angeles (7), Los Angeles or Santa Ana | 8 | Barstow or Victorville, Lancaster, Long Beach, Oxnard or Ventura, Palm Springs or Twentynine Palms, San Luis Obispo, San Bernardino, Santa Barbara | 8 |
| 1988–1990 | Los Angeles (8), Los Angeles or Santa Ana | 9 | Barstow or Victorville, Lancaster, Long Beach, Oxnard or Ventura, Palm Springs or Twentynine Palms, San Luis Obispo, San Bernardino, Santa Barbara | 8 |
| 1991–1993 | Los Angeles (10), Los Angeles or Santa Ana | 11 | Barstow or Victorville, Lancaster, Long Beach, Oxnard or Ventura, Palm Springs or Twentynine Palms, San Luis Obispo, San Bernardino, Santa Barbara | 8 |
| 1994 | Long Beach or Los Angeles, Los Angeles (10), Los Angeles or Santa Ana | 12 | Barstow or Victorville, Lancaster, Riverside or San Bernardino, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara or Ventura | 5 |
| 1995 | Long Beach or Los Angeles, Los Angeles (11), Los Angeles or Santa Ana | 13 | Barstow or Victorville, Lancaster, Riverside or San Bernardino, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara or Ventura | 5 |
| 1996–1997 | Long Beach or Los Angeles, Los Angeles (11), Los Angeles or Santa Ana | 13 | Barstow or Victorville, Riverside or San Bernardino, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara or Ventura | 4 |
| 1998 | Long Beach or Los Angeles, Los Angeles (12), Los Angeles or Riverside, Los Angeles or Santa Ana (2) | 16 | Barstow or Victorville, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara or Ventura | 3 |
| 1999–2001 | Long Beach or Los Angeles, Los Angeles (12), Los Angeles or Riverside, Los Angeles or Santa Ana (2) | 16 | Barstow or Victorville, Santa Barbara or Ventura | 2 |
| 2002–2005 | Long Beach or Los Angeles, Los Angeles (15), Los Angeles or Riverside (2), Los Angeles or Santa Ana (2) | 20 | Barstow or Victorville, Santa Barbara or Ventura | 2 |
| 2006 | Long Beach or Los Angeles, Los Angeles (16), Los Angeles or Riverside (2), Los Angeles or Santa Ana (2), Riverside | 22 | Santa Barbara or Ventura | 1 |
| 2007–2011 | Long Beach or Los Angeles, Los Angeles (16), Los Angeles or Riverside (2), Los Angeles or Santa Ana (2), Riverside, Santa Ana | 23 | Santa Barbara or Ventura | 1 |
| 2012–present | Long Beach or Los Angeles, Los Angeles (16), Los Angeles or Riverside (2), Los Angeles or Santa Ana (2), Riverside, Riverside or Santa Ana, Santa Ana | 24 | Santa Barbara or Ventura | 1 |
| *The magistrate judgeship at Edwards Air Force Base in the Eastern District of California was transferred to the Central District of California in 1972 and designated as a judgeship at Lancaster. The judgeship retained jurisdiction over the entirety of the base, including the portions lying within the Eastern and Central Districts. | ||||
| Southern District | ||||
| Fiscal Year(s) | Full-Time | Total | Part-Time | Total |
| 1971–1972 | San Diego (2) | 2 | El Centro, San Diego | 2 |
| 1973–1982 | San Diego (3) | 3 | El Centro, San Diego | 2 |
| 1983–1991 | San Diego (4) | 4 | El Centro | 1 |
| 1992–1993 | San Diego (5) | 5 | El Centro | 1 |
| 1994–1998 | San Diego (7) | 7 | El Centro | 1 |
| 1999 | San Diego (8) | 8 | El Centro | 1 |
| 2000 | San Diego (9) | 9 | El Centro | 1 |
| 2001–2010 | El Centro, San Diego (9) | 10 | 0 | |
| 2011–2020 | El Centro, San Diego (10) | 11 | 0 | |
| 2021–present | El Centro, San Diego (11) | 12 | 0 | |