One piece of advice I can pass on, after representing many tenants and landlords at trial is —– NEVER STIPULATE TO THE COMMISSIONER IF YOU ARE THE TENANT. I have found that the commissioners (not actual judges) who often reside over landlord tenant matters tend to have a landlord bias.
Before having your matter heard before a commissioner, you are required to sign a stipulation for the comissioner. My suggestion is not to sign it. If you do not sign it, your case will be reassigned to an actual judge.
That advice is 100% correct. I learned that one the hard way as a tenant five months ago. The commissioner was an idiot. There were three defects on the landlords complaint. A winable case for a tenant. I had done my research and had the cccp codes handy. Turns out I needed them because the commissioner didn’t have a clue. She reached over to retrieve a big black book and got frustrated trying to find the laws. She finally threw the book aside, waved her arm and said “I don’t care, judgment for the plaintiff!” and that was it. I was shocked that California law does not apply in the Pasadena court. That dumb woman should not be on the bench let alone practicing law. It threw my life into a tailspin, of course. I am disgusted about it. Commissioners have my complete disdain.
I would still like to know how I could pursue reversing that action or reporting her. There isn’t a “complaint department” for commissioners. It doesn’t seem right that a person can just ignore judicial responsibility because it was easier for her.