Q: How can I obtain copies of the official bonds of Los Angeles county Superior Court judges and the clerk/executive office

A: To obtain copies of official bonds and oaths of office for Los Angeles County Superior Court judges and the Clerk/Executive Office, you may start by submitting a formal request under the California Public Records Act (CPRA). Under this law, you have the right to request public records from government agencies, including bonds and oaths of office. Be specific in your request, citing the documents you need, and send it to the appropriate office—either the court’s administration or the County Recorder’s Office.

If the court denies your request, they must provide a valid legal reason for withholding the information. You can appeal the denial or seek legal remedies, including filing a writ of mandate in superior court, to compel the release of the records if you believe they are wrongfully withholding them.

In the meantime, if you are being stonewalled, you can also contact the California Secretary of State’s office, as they may have records of judges' bonds. Keep your communications polite but persistent, and consider consulting with an attorney if the process becomes too complicated.

A: It is very unlikely you can obtain name of the surety (generally an insurance company that sells the bond to the principal (the judge.)) You can submit a request for information, but it will most likely be denied. If you have a viable case for judical misconduct and fraud you would file a claim with the state and then file lawsuit. You do not file a claim with the surety (insurance company.) The surety (insurance company) has no duty to process claims submitted by litigants who believe they were wronged by a judge. Quite frankly, they couldn't handle the ten of thousands of frivolous claims filed by disgruntled litigants. I apologize if this isn't the computer generated, potential client pleasing response you expected like JA's.