Orange County Department of Child Support Services v. Superior Court

Opinion

RYLAARSDAM, Acting P. J.

The Orange County Department of Child Support Services and Deputy Department Counsel Constance Bailey seek extraordinary relief from the imposition of sanctions against them for prosecuting a nonmeritorious contempt proceeding against Clifford Ricketson. We find the trial court erred in failing to transfer the sanctions hearing to the judicial officer who heard the contempt proceeding. Accordingly, we grant the petition.

FACTS

Patti Ricketson sought help from the department in collecting unpaid child support from her ex-husband, Clifford. She signed a declaration…