Volunteer Opportunities

The court first tapped volunteer power in 1986 when it opened the original Children's Waiting Room. Since then, the volunteer program has expanded to embrace additional volunteer roles for qualified current law school students (judicial internship program), qualified attorneys (temporary judges/settlement attorneys), and valuable members of the community who may be interested in helping in the business offices, information desks, Children's Waiting Rooms or leading tours of the Central Courthouse.

• Volunteer applicants must be at least 18-years-old.
• To maintain courthouse security, prospective volunteers must pass a criminal background check, including fingerprints, before acceptance into the program.
• Volunteer applicants must be able to commit to being available a minimum of four hours a week for at least four months in order to be considered. Available shifts are Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
• All volunteers are trained on a one-to-one basis in the work they will perform. The Volunteer Program maintains a personnel file on each participant, which records the hours worked in each assignment.
• Superior Court is committed to the concept that volunteers are equally as important as employees and affords them the same respect and consideration. Like employees, volunteers are expected to report for duty as assigned and to give appropriate feedback to their supervisors.

Fill out the online volunteer interest form to get started.

Current law school students have the opportunity to intern with the Court while enrolled in law school. The program provides a behind-the-scenes overview of the practice of law in Superior Court so that students can apply what they have learned in law school to real cases and better understand expectations of licensed attorneys. The Court has potential assignments in civil, criminal, family, juvenile and probate at various branches in the County (Central, North, East and South). Please refer to the Judicial Internship Program fact sheet for more information and deadlines for application.

Temporary Judges/Settlement Attorneys

Please refer to the Temporary Judges/Settlement Attorneys page to find information about volunteering as a Temporary Judge (Judge Pro Tem) or Settlement Attorney.

Information Desks

Information desk volunteers offer an important service to the community. This position consists of directing individuals to courtrooms, business offices, self-help clinic locations and more. People who enjoy working with the public do well at the courthouse information desks.

Available at Central Courthouse and North County Courthouse.

Business offices in the courthouse play a vital role in the administration of justice.  Volunteers placed in the business offices assist in the day-to-day operations of a designated department or area of the court. You can gain experience and knowledge while assisting court staff with various tasks that may include filing, making copies, and other administrative activities.

Volunteer opportunities available at: Central Courthouse, Juvenile Courthouse, and North County Courthouse

Children’s Waiting Rooms are offered in all court locations and serve families with business with the court free of charge. Our caring volunteers assist with supervising children of all ages by engaging and helping them enjoy their time with the toys and games. Courthouses are not an ideal environment for children and as a trained volunteer in the fully-equipped Children's Waiting Room, volunteers creates a safer, more nurturing alternative to the hallway. .

Volunteer opportunities are available at: Central Courthouse, East County Courthouse, South County Courthouse.

Every year, thousands of San Diego County students in grades five through twelve visit the court to learn about the judicial system and participate in activities to supplement their civic education. In a structured courthouse tour, our volunteer tour guides escort students around the downtown Central Courthouse to enhance their understanding of court concepts, roles, the importance of jury service, and engage their critical thinking skills through a mock trial exercise. These valuable volunteers are enthusiastic about the legal system, civic engagement, work well with children and enjoy teaching students the importance of our court system.

Available at: Central Courthouse