You may have heard the terms “Judge Pro Tem” or “Commissioner Pro Tem” in the context of family law cases. Like many legal terms, these words are perhaps made more obscure by the use of latin. However, you do not need to be alarmed – it is not nearly as complicated as it sounds. A Seattle family law attorney can walk you through what the involvement of a judge pro tem or commissioner pro tem means for your case.
What is the Difference Between a Judge and a Court Commissioner?
First, a brief explanation – understanding the differences between judges and court commissioners will help you better understand the difference between a judge pro tem and a commissioner pro tem. To start, judges are elected positions, while court commissioners are appointed or hired by the courts to take on some limited judicial functions (like hearing family law motions)