You're not listening. A small claims commissioner is hired by the superior court judges to work full-time handling small claims cases. Their work isn't temporary. In smaller counties, they are also assigned to handle all the traffic matters as well. That small claims department IS that commissioner's department. If you don't stip to the commissioner, the case goes to the presiding judge who assigns it to another department. You go there, you don't want that judge, your file you 170.6. The case goes back to the presiding judge and another judge is assigned and you are stuck with that judge. You're not going to find out what judge the case will be sent to until it's sent there. It will be whoever is available at the time. The court's are all busy and small claims is very low priority.