My question involves a traffic ticket from the state of: California

I went through the normal routes of fighting my ticket in California. I filed for a Trial by Written Declaration and was found guilty, then filed for a Trial de Novo.


I had my appearance today before a Protem, but was not made aware of this at all. It was not until after I looked at the carbon paper with my decision that I learned that the woman behind the judge's bench was not an actual judge.

My understanding is that I would normally have to sign a waiver of some sort to grant a Protem the ability to preside over my case, but I was given no such waiver to sign. In fact, I signed nothing at all.

So my question is, I guess, is that sufficent enough reason to be granted a new trial on appeal?