CHAPTER 4. Incidental Powers and Duties of Judicial Officers [177. - 179.]

Cal. Code of Civil Procedure - CCP 4.

in effect

Cal. Code of Civil Procedure - CCP § 177. Section 177.

A judicial officer shall have power: (a) To preserve and enforce order in the officer’s immediate presence, and in proceedings before the officer, when the officer is engaged in the performance of official duty. (b) To compel obedience to the officer’s lawful orders as provided in this code. (c) To compel the attendance of persons to testify in a proceeding before the officer, in the cases and manner provided in this code. (d) To administer oaths to persons in a proceeding pending before the officer, and in all other cases where it may be necessary in the exercise of the officer’s powers and duties. (e) To prohibit activities that threaten access to state courthouses and court proceedings, and to prohibit interruption of judicial administration, including protecting the privilege from civil arrest at courthouses and court proceedings.

Cal. Code of Civil Procedure - CCP § 177.5. Section 177.5.

A judicial officer shall have the power to impose reasonable money sanctions, not to exceed fifteen hundred dollars ($1,500), notwithstanding any other provision of law, payable to the court, for any violation of a lawful court order by a person, done without good cause or substantial justification. This power shall not apply to advocacy of counsel before the court. For the purposes of this section, the term “person” includes a witness, a party, a party’s attorney, or both. Sanctions pursuant to this section shall not be imposed except on notice contained in a party’s moving or responding papers; or on the court’s own motion, after notice and opportunity to be heard. An order imposing sanctions shall be in writing and shall recite in detail the conduct or circumstances justifying the order.

Cal. Code of Civil Procedure - CCP § 178. Section 178.

For the effectual exercise of the powers conferred by the last section, a judicial officer may punish for contempt in the cases provided in this Code.

Cal. Code of Civil Procedure - CCP § 179. Section 179.

Each of the justices of the Supreme Court and of any court of appeal and the judges of the superior courts, shall have power in any part of the state to take and certify: (a) The proof and acknowledgment of a conveyance of real property, or of any other written instrument. (b) The acknowledgment of satisfaction of a judgment of any court. (c) An affidavit or deposition to be used in this state.

Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026