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The Santa Clara County Superior Court is committed to protecting the health and safety of our community while performing our Constitutional duties.
This page provides updates and information regarding Novel Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19), including:
- Temporary Emergency Orders of the Judicial Council of California
- General Orders of the Presiding Judge
- Court Division Orders and Notices
- Press Releases
- Contact the Court
- Changes to Court Operations
- Court FAQs
- Judicial Proceedings / Court Hearings
- Options to Avoid Physically Coming to a Courthouse
- COVID-19 Resources
- COVID-19 Prevention Program
1. Temporary Emergency Orders of the Judicial Council of California
Temporary Emergency Orders of the Judicial Council of California (April 6, 2020)
2. General Orders of the Presiding Judge
General Order Regarding Face Coverings in Courthouses (September 26, 2022)
Order Extending Bail Schedule to July 31, 2022 (May 9, 2022)
Order Authorizing Citation and Release of Certain Individuals (May 9, 2022)
General Order Regarding Face Coverings Required In Courthouses (May 5, 2022)
Order Extending Bail Schedule to May 31, 2022 (February 23, 2022)
Order Authorizing Citation and Release of Certain Individuals (February 23, 2022)
Order Extending Bail Schedule to February 28, 2022 (January 25, 2022)
Amended Standing Order Re: Unadjudicated Misdemeanor (August 18, 2021)
General Order Re: Face Coverings And Social Distancing (June 25, 2021)
Order Extending Bail Schedule to January 31, 2022 (June 22, 2021)
Order Authorizing Citation and Release of Certain Individuals (June 22, 2021)
General Order Regarding Courthouse Entry (June 18, 2021)
General Order Rescinding the General Order Prohibiting Eating in Courthouses (June 16, 2021)
General Order Re: Criminal Trial Deadlines Extended to June 18, 2021 (May 14, 2021)
General Order Re: Juvenile Matters Extended to June 2, 2021 (April 30, 2021)
General Order Re: Criminal Trial Deadlines Extended to May 18, 2021 (March 15, 2021)
General Order Re: Juvenile Matters Extended to May 2, 2021 (April 1, 2021)
General Order Re: Criminal Trial Deadlines Extended to April 17, 2021 (March 12, 2021)
General Order Restricting Courthouse Entry (March 9, 2021)
Standing Order Re: Early Civil Mandatory Settlement Conferences (March 2, 2021)
General Order Re: Juvenile Matters Extended to April 1, 2021 (March 2, 2021)
General Order Re: Criminal Trial Deadlines Extended to March 17, 2021 (February 10, 2021)
General Order Re: Juvenile Matters Extended to March 2, 2021 (February 2, 2021)
General Order Re: Order Extending Bail Schedule To June 30, 2021 (January 29, 2021)
General Order Re: Criminal Trial Deadlines Extended to February 14, 2021 (January 12, 2021)
General Order Re: Order Extending Bail Schedule (January 26, 2021)
General Order Re: Criminal Trial Deadlines Extended to February 14, 2021 (January 12, 2021)
3. Court Division Orders and Notices
- Appellate
- Civil
- Criminal
- Family
- General Court & Administration
- Juvenile Dependency
- Juvenile Justice
- Probate
APPELLATE | Order Date | ORDER: EXTENDING APPELLATE DIVISION DEADLINES | March 30, 2020 |
CIVIL | Order Date | NOTICE DIVISION OPERATIONS | May 1, 2020 |
CIVIL LOCAL RULE 8F | Effective August 25, 2020 |
CIVIL LOCAL RULE 16 | Effective August 25, 2020 |
SMALL CLAIMS FORM SC-8022 | Effective September 18, 2020 |
CIVIL LOCAL RULE 13 | Effective September 17, 2021 |
CIVIL FORM CV-5102 | Effective September 17, 2021 |
CRIMINAL | Order Date |
---|---|
STANDING ORDER: DEFERRING SURRENDER DATES | March 18, 2020 |
STANDING ORDER: SHERIFF’S OFFICE | March 20, 2020 |
ORDER OF THE COURT AWARDING CUSTODY CREDIT FOR PARTICIPATION IN SHERIFF’S WORK PROGRAM DURING DESIGNATED TIME PERIOD | January 13, 2022 |
STANDING ORDER OF THE COURT REGARDING “TIME-NOT-WAIVED” TRIAL PROCEDURES | February 2, 2022 |
STANDING ORDER OF THE COURT REGARDING REMOTE APPEARANCES | March 1, 2022 |
FAMILY VIOLENCE CALENDAR |
FAMILY | Order Date |
ORDER: REMOTE MEDIATION | April 7, 2020 |
NOTICE: CHILD CUSTODY AND VISITATION POLICIES | December 31, 2020 |
NOTICE RE: FAMILY DIVISION OPERATIONS | Effective August 2, 2021 |
INFORMATION: REMOTE APPEARANCES | Effective August 6, 2021 |
FAMILY LOCAL RULE 1M(3) AND FORM FM-1196 DELETED | Effective September 17, 2021 |
GENERAL COURT & ADMINISTRATION | Order Date |
GENERAL COURT AND ADMINISTRATION LOCAL RULE 6 | Effective August 25, 2020 |
GENERAL COURT AND ADMINISTRATION LOCAL RULE 9 | Effective April 1, 2022 |
JUVENILE DEPENDENCY | Order Date |
ORDER MODIFYING DEPENDENCY COURT-ORDERED VISITATION | December 18, 2020 |
DEPENDENCY COURT POLICY REGARDING COVID VACCINATIONS AND COURT ATTENDANCE | October 5, 2021 |
JUVENILE JUSTICE | Order Date |
TEMPORARY PROTOCOL | April 1, 2020 |
TEMPORARY PROTOCOL | May 5, 2020 |
ELECTRONIC MONITORING / COMMUNITY RELEASE PROGRAM PROTOCOL | May 5, 2020 |
ELECTRONIC MONITORING / COMMUNITY RELEASE PROGRAM PROTOCOL | May 29, 2020 |
TEMPORARY PROTOCOL | June 1, 2020 |
TEMPORARY PROTOCOL | August 10, 2020 |
TEMPORARY PROTOCOL | December 10, 2020 |
TEMPORARY PROTOCOL | July 11, 2021 |
TEMPORARY PROTOCOL | October 1, 2021 |
PROBATE | Order Date |
ORDER RE: TELEPHONIC APPEARANCES FOR ALL COURT HEARINGS UNDER THE LANTERMAN-PETRIS-SHORT ACT | March 24, 2020 |
GENERAL ORDER ON APPEARANCE OF CONSERVATEES AND INVOLUNTARY PATIENTS | April 9, 2020 |
ORDER EXTENDING AUTHORIZATION FOR TELEPHONIC APPEARANCE IN ALL COURT HEARINGS UNDER LPS ACT | May 14, 2020 |
ORDER RE: TELEPHONIC APPEARANCES FOR CONSERVATORSHIP HEARINGS | May 15, 2020 |
PROBATE LOCAL RULE 1 | Effective March 23, 2021 |
PROBATE LOCAL RULE 2C & FORM PB-4080 | Effective March 23, 2021 |
PROBATE LOCAL RULE 2 | Effective September 17, 2021 |
PROBATE FORM PB-4078 | Effective September 17, 2021 |
PROBATE FORM PB-4080 | Effective September 17, 2021 |
July 22, 2022 2022 Criminal Bail Schedule
Effective August 1, 2022
July 13, 2022 Recruitment for the 2023 Santa Clara County Civil Grand Jury Begins
Santa Clara County Residents Encouraged to Apply
June 23, 2022 Juvenile Justice Youth Raps about the Constitution to Win this Year’s Law Day Contest
May 25, 2022 Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month 2022 “Advancing Leaders Through Collaboration” Video
May 10, 2022 Santa Clara County Superior Court Celebrates Juror Appreciation Week May 9 - 13
May 5, 2022 The Young Women’s Power Lunch 2022 “Be The Upstanders”
April 15, 2022 Accepting Applications For The Juvenile Justice Commission
April 13, 2022 Santa Clara County Superior Court Law Day Video Contest Toward a More Perfect Union: The Constitution in Times of Change
March 3, 2022 The Judge In The Hat: The Superior Court Celebrates 2022 Read Across America Judges Assure Students That They Are Not A Cat
March 1, 2022 Face Masks Remain Mandatory Inside All Santa Clara County Courthouses Effective March 2, 2022
February 1, 2022 Demystifying the Judicial Appointment Process: The Statewide California Judicial Mentor Program
January 28, 2022 Court to Reopen Public Counters and Reinstate Public Access to Courthouses on Monday, January 31
January 19, 2022 Court Ordered Amnesty For Sheriff Work Program Sentences Between March 17, 2020 and May 1, 2021
January 12, 2022 Santa Clara County Superior Court Temporarily Closing Public Counters and Limiting Public Access To Courthouses
January 12, 2022 The Santa Clara County Superior Court Welcomes Hon. Hanley Chew To The Bench
January 10, 2022 Palo Alto Courthouse To Reopen May 2, 2022
December 20, 2021 Santa Clara County Civil Grand Jury Releases 2021 Reports
November 19, 2021 Santa Clara County Civil Grand Jury Discharge and Impanelment Ceremony to Be Held 12/16/21
The Santa Clara County Superior Court will recognize
the outgoing Grand Jury and swear-in the incoming panel
November 9, 2021 The Santa Clara County Superior Court Welcomes Hon. Shella Deen To The Bench
November 5, 2021 Traffic Court Hearings Resume In Santa Clara
November 3, 2021 Santa Clara County Superior Court Judicial Mentorship Program The program seeks to identify, encourage, and offer mentorship for individuals considering a judicial career.
October 19, 2021 The Santa Clara County Superior Court Welcomes Rafael A. Sivilla-Jones To The Bench
October 6, 2021 The Santa Clara County Superior Court Welcomes Brian J. Buckelew To The Bench
October 1, 2021 A More Perfect Union: The Superior Court Partners With Educators To Teach Students About The Constitution Santa Clara County Superior Court Celebrates National Constitution Day With Two Virtual Events
August 30, 2021 Rent Assistance Event At The Court The Santa Clara County Superior Court is holding an event on Thursday, September 2, 2021, to assist landlords and residents unable to pay rent due to COVID-19
July 29, 2021 Color of Justice: Raise Your Voice For Justice
July 15, 2021 Law Day 2021: Advancing The Rule Of Law, Now
July 12, 2021 Court Seeks Candidates for Public Watchdog Agency
June 26, 2021 The Santa Clara County Superior Court Updates COVID-19 Pandemic Health and Safety Orders
June 23, 2021 Santa Clara County Superior Court Extends Zero Bail Schedule To January 31, 2022
May 27, 2021 I Am An American, A Short Film Commemorating Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month
May 6, 2021 Santa Clara County Superior Court Celebrates Juror Appreciation Week May 10–14, 2021
April 23, 2021 Santa Clara County Superior Court Hosts Online Young Women’s Power Lunch
March 25, 2021 Jessica Delgado Sworn In As Superior Court Judge
March 25, 2021 Presiding Judge Theodore C. Zayner Issues Statement Condemning Anti-Asian American Pacific Islander Attacks
March 15, 2021 Story Time With The Santa Clara County Superior Court The Santa Clara County Superior Court is pleased to announce the launch of its Story Time video library for children, their families and their teachers
March 9, 2021 Clerk’s Offices NOW OPEN for in-person business - masks required
February 26, 2021 Read Across America With Glen View Elementary 2021 Using teleconference technology, judicial officers from Santa Clara County Superior Court visit students from Glen View Elementary to celebrate Read Across America
February 2, 2021 We Are Committed To Achieving Equality And Justice For All Court Equality and Social Justice Committee’s Video Public Service Announcement Available For Viewing
January 29, 2021 Santa Clara County Superior Court Extends Emergency Bail Schedule to June 30, 2021
January 20, 2021 Fred T. Korematsu Day of Civil Liberties and the Constitution: Building Coalitions to Fight for Racial Justice Court Celebrates the Life and Legacy of Fred T. Korematsu in virtual event held on January 30, 2021
January 4, 2021 Santa Clara County Superior Court Welcomes Christine Garcia-Sen to the Bench
In your message, please provide the following information:
• Name
• Case number or juror number
• Current mailing address and telephone number
• Date, time and location of appearance.
Phone:
Click here for Court Telephone Numbers
Email:
Please locate the appropriate Division or Area of the Court related to your inquiry.
Division or Area of the Court | Contact by Email |
Civil | sscivilinfo@scscourt.org |
Criminal | sscriminfo@scscourt.org |
Family | ssfamilyinfo@scscourt.org |
Jury | ssjuryinfo@scscourt.org |
Juvenile | ssjuvinfo@scscourt.org |
Probate | ssprobinfo@scscourt.org |
Small Claims | sssclaimsinfo@scscourt.org |
Traffic | sstrafficinfo@scscourt.org |
6. Changes to Court Operations
Please note the following changes to court operations effective March 17, 2020, click on a link below to go to that section:
- Civil
- Criminal
- Family
- Juvenile Courts
- Mental Health Treatment/Collaborative Courts
- Traffic
- Jury Services
- Self Help Center/Family Law Facilitator's Office/Restraining Order Help Center
- Winter Holiday Closure and Furlough Schedule
- Motions may be submitted without a hearing date, Calendar clerks will be assigning the hearing date based on availability, once the motion is processed. When the hearing is set you will be able to view it in your case on: Superior Court-Case Information Portal .
- Court information regarding Unlawful Detainers / Evictions can be found here .
- Certain cities have their own rules regarding Unlawful Detainer / Evictions found here: San Jose and Mountain View .
- A drop box is available for filings in the lobby and the court’s e-file system remains available for submissions. Pleadings will be collected and processed in date order they are received.
- Small Claims Mediation Options
- Time waived trials are called on Monday mornings in Department 24
- Both in and out of custody arraignments from all Santa Clara County Superior Court facilities will be heard at the Hall of Justice at 190 W. Hedding St., San Jose, CA 95110 until further notice.
- All preliminary examinations from all Santa Clara County Superior Court facilities will be heard as scheduled at the Hall of Justice at 190 W. Hedding St., San Jose, CA 95110 until further notice.
- In custody felony pleas from all Santa Clara County Superior Court facilities will be heard at the Hall of Justice at 190 W. Hedding St., San Jose, CA 95110 beginning May 11, 2020, until further notice.
- All misdemeanor cases (in and out of custody) will be heard will be heard at the Hall of Justice at 190 W. Hedding St., San Jose, CA 95110 until further notice.
- Collaborative courts (departments 62 and 63) recommenced hearing matters Monday, August 3, 2020.
EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY, UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE:
- See
Operations Notice Flyer for more information
- See
Remote Appearances Flyer for additional information
- Department of Child Support Services info: Please call 866-901-3212 for assistance with child support cases. Services are limited at this time. Customers can also communicate with the department electronically via CUSTOMER CONNECT . Child Support payments continue to be accepted online
- Self Help Center/Family Law Facilitator's Office/Restraining Order Help Center Information
Juvenile Justice
- All Juvenile Justice out-of-custody hearings will be continued on a rolling basis for 30 to 60 days depending on the type of hearing. Detentions, Jurisdiction hearings and emergency in-custody requests will be combined on one morning calendar each day.
Juvenile Dependency
- All dependency matters are being heard at this time with the following exceptions:
- All non-minor dependent hearings are being handled by stipulation without in-court hearings.
- All Medication Progress Reviews are being handled by stipulation without in-court hearings.
- Dependency morning hearings are being conducted using remote technology, specifically Microsoft Teams.
- In-person hearings will resume in August at a date to be determined, but could be as early as August 2.
- Where a party has the capability to appear via video (as opposed to audio only), the party is expected to have the camera turned on so the court and other attendees may see the party.
- The party’s attorney will share the Microsoft Teams link with the party prior to the hearing.
- Parties are reminded that juvenile dependency matters are confidential. While appearing remotely, the party should ensure that others are not able to see or hear the proceedings.
- Any party who appears at the Family Justice Center Courthouse in person will be assisted in appearing remotely using a computer the court will make available.
- A representative from Dependency Advocacy Center will assist the party in getting set up on the computer in order to appear remotely
- Any party who intends to appear at Family Justice Center Courthouse in person should advise his attorney in advance of his/her plans to be at the courthouse in person.
- All afternoon dependency matters are now being held in person. No remote appearances are allowed.
MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT / COLLABORATIVE COURTS
- The Collaborative Courts are currently utilizing a hybrid approach to court hearings that permits court participants to either come into the courtroom or participate remotely by phone or video..
- For Criminal Drug Treatment Court (DTC) participants (Prop 36 or PDP), if they have questions they should contact their probation officer or their attorney.
- For Dependency Wellness Court (DWC) participants, if they have questions they should contact their social worker or attorney.
- For Family Law Treatment Court (FLTC) participants, if they have questions they should contact FLTC coordinator Noemi Barnett at 408-534-5769 or at FLTC@scscourt.org.
- For YADEJ participants, they should contact their probation officer or attorney.
- For Truancy CARE Court participants, they should contact their attorney (if they have one) or Deputy District Attorney Alisha Schoen at 408-808-3766 .
- Assistance available by phone:
- Substance use treatment programs 1-800-488-9919
- Mental health assistance 1-800-704-0900
- Crisis and suicide hotline 1-855-278-4204
- All Traffic matters currently scheduled for Court will be continued on a rolling basis. Notice of new hearing and trial dates will be mailed to all parties. Please check the Court’s online portal for more information about your individual case.
- Tickets can be paid online or by phone: 408-878-0098 .
- Request a Fine Reduction Online MyCitations: Ability to Pay Tool .
- Please visit our Jury Services page for the most current jury information.
SELF HELP CENTER/FAMILY LAW FACILITATOR'S OFFICE/RESTRAINING ORDER HELP CENTER
- Remote assistance is available:
- Call: 408-882-2926
- Email: www.scscourt.org click “Self-Help” then “Contact the Self-Help Center”
- Please visit our website for more information on Self Help and filing papers from home.
- Self Help Center/Family Law Facilitator's Office/Restraining Order Help Center Information
This section provides updates and information regarding Court FAQs, including:
What kinds of cases are currently being heard?
Effective March 22, 2021, all case types will be heard on calendars as follows:
Mondays, Dept. 5: | 9:00 a.m. - General Probate |
9:01 a.m. - Initial Administration of Estate Petitions | |
10:00 a.m. - Motions and Ex Parte Hearings | |
10:30 a.m. - Status Conference | |
Tuesdays, Dept. 13: | 9:00 a.m.- LPS Consent, 6500 Petitions |
9:15 a.m. - LPS Court Trials | |
10:45 a.m. - LPS Writ Hearings, Meredith Hearings | |
Tuesdays, Dept. 5: | 1:30 p.m. - Conservatorship Appointment/Modification/Termination Calendar |
Wednesdays, Dept. 13: | 9:00 a.m. - General Probate |
(Week 1) | 9:01 a.m. - Initial Administration of Estate Petitions |
10:00 a.m. - Motions and Ex Parte Hearings | |
11:00 a.m. - Adoptions | |
Wednesdays, Dept. 5: | 1:30 p.m. - Evidentiary Hearings |
1:35 p.m. - Minor’s Compromise | |
Wednesdays, Dept. 5: | 9:00 a.m. - General Probate |
(Week 2) | 9:01 a.m. - Initial Administration of Estate Petitions |
10:00 a.m. - Motions and Ex Parte Hearings | |
11:00 a.m. - Adoptions | |
1:30 p.m. - Evidentiary Hearings | |
1:35 p.m. - Minor’s Compromise | |
Thursdays, Dept. 13: | 9:00 a.m. - General Probate |
9:01 a.m. - Initial Administration of Estate Petitions | |
9:05 a.m. - Compliance OTA | |
10:00 a.m. - Ex parte Hearings | |
10:30 a.m. - Status Conferences | |
1:15 p.m. - Firearms Relinquishment | |
1:30 p.m. - Evidentiary Hearings, Writs, Murphy and Meredith Hearings |
At this time, we are not hearing any matters on Fridays. Check back here for updates as we continue to add proceedings.
Calendars with no appearances:
Effective April 1, 2021, matters on the Compliance Calendar (set for 10:00 a.m. on Fridays) will be reviewed for compliance, but no hearings will be held on Fridays. If compliance has been met, the matter will be taken off calendar. If an accounting or other obligation is still outstanding, the case will be set for an Order to Appear to Show Cause why the accounting or obligation has not been filed or satisfied. Those matters will be set on Thursdays at 9:05 a.m. in Department 13 and on Mondays at 9:15 a.m. in Department 5.
Name Change matters are once again being processed, although there is a significant backlog. As has always been the case, there are no hearings for name change matters (except in cases with an objection, which are specially set). The status of a name change petition may be found by accessing the Court’s Public Portal at Public Portal - Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara (scscourt.org), searching by case number or party name, and then looking under the Events tab. Once the name change petition has been granted, there will be an entry labeled, “Decree: Name Change.” The decree may be picked up in the Civil Records Office or a copy may be requested by mail.
How do I appear remotely?
For all hearings, it is expected parties will appear via Microsoft Teams application using either the video or call option. Members of the public may also observe a hearing using Microsoft Teams. Effective April 1, 2021, telephonic appearances using Court Call and observation of hearings using the public access telephone line will no longer be available in Departments 5 and 13. At this time, parties are not required to notify other parties of the intent to appear remotely by Microsoft Teams, but may wish to do so as a courtesy. More information about how to access the links needed to access a Microsoft Teams meeting can be found here: Video Hearings (Microsoft Teams) - The Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara (scscourt.org). In-person access to the Courthouse remains restricted. See attached General Order Restricting Courthouse Entry (scscourt.org). All persons entering the Courthouse must wear face coverings and follow social distancing protocols.
8. Judicial Proceedings / Court Hearings
Please visit the Superior Court-Case Information Portal to determine when and where your upcoming court hearing will take place.
9. Options to avoid physically coming to a courthouse
If you are currently experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19 (or any flu-like symptoms) and have business with the Court, please consider the following options that are available to you to minimize the need to come to a courthouse:
- Look up or pay your traffic ticket online
- Pay your traffic ticket by phone: 408-878-0098
- Request a deferral of jury duty or call 408-882-2700 (press 8 then 0)
- Search cases and calendars
- E-Filing for Civil, Family, Probate, and Small Claims cases
- Complete Forms at Home
- Self-Help assistance by email
- Call the Self-Help Center: 408-882-2926 (voicemail)
- COVID-19 Eviction Moratorium Information Sheet
- Small Claims Mediation Options
For more information about COVID-19, please visit the following webpages:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- California Department of Public Health
- Santa Clara County Public Health Department
11. COVID-19 Prevention Program
Procedures for Employee COVID-19 Exposures and Positive Tests