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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. Following guidelines provided by the County of Santa Clara’s “shelter in place” orders and Governor Newsom’s executive order, the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara has suspended all non-essential functions until such time as the orders are extended, rescinded, superseded, or amended.
Currently, 25 departments and four courthouses continue to hear matters on a limited number of case types. At this time, the Palo Alto and Morgan Hill Courthouses are completely closed to the public and no hearings are taking place at these locations.
See the steps that the Superior Court is taking to protect the safety of everyone who enters the courthouse.
Watch the video here: Safe In Court Video.
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
- CourtCall
- COVID-19 Resources
- FAQs about the Local Health Officer Shelter in Place Order
- Social Distancing Protocols: Site-Specific Protection Plans
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 RE Extending Statutory Deadlines Criminal Trials (July 15, 2020)
General Order: Unlawful Detainers, Juvenile Justice filings (July 1, 2020)
Order – Amended Bail Schedule (June 23, 2020)
Interim Order RE: Bail Schedule Effective June 20, 2020 (June 18, 2020)
General Order Re Temporary Judge Requirements (June 16, 2020)
General Order Re Courthouse Access Effective June 15, 2020 (June 11, 2020)
Order Re: Closure of Santa Clara Superior Court on June 1, 2020 (June 1, 2020)
General Order Juvenile Matters (May 18, 2020)
General Order Re: Face Coverings Required in Courthouses (May 12, 2020)
General Order on Court Operations with Attached Table (May 8, 2020)
General Order Re: Complex Civil Actions (May 6, 2020)
General Order Re: Release of Hold Upon Arrangement of Payment Plan (May 01, 2020)
Santa Clara Implementation Order for PC 825 and 859b (May 01, 2020)
General Order Emergency Relief (April 29, 2020)
General Order Re: Extended Due Dates for Traffic Matters (April 23, 2020)
General Order Juvenile Matters (April 16, 2020)
General Order Statewide Emergency Bail Schedule (April 10, 2020)
General Order on Appearance of Conservatees and Involuntary Patients (April 9,2020)
General Order on Court Operations (April 3, 2020)
General Order Emergency Relief (April 1, 2020)
Order Amending 2020 Bail Schedule (April 1, 2020)
General Order Courthouse Entry (March 23, 2020)
General Order CRC 10.500 Requests (March 23, 2020)
General Order Access to Ex-Parte (March 23, 2020)
General Order Emergency Relief #2 (March 18, 2020)
General Order Emergency Relief #1 (March 18, 2020)
General Order Emergency Relief (March 16, 2020)
3. Court Division Orders and Notices
| APPELLATE | Order Date | ORDER: EXTENDING APPELLATE DIVISION DEADLINES | March 30, 2020 |
| CIVIL | Order Date | NOTICE DIVISION OPERATIONS | May 1, 2020 |
| CRIMINAL | Order Date |
|---|---|
| STANDING ORDER: DEFERRING SURRENDER DATES | March 18, 2020 |
| STANDING ORDER: SHERIFF’S OFFICE | March 20, 2020 |
| FAMILY | Order Date |
| NOTICE: CHILD CUSTODY AND VISITATION POLICIES | April 2, 2020 |
| ORDER: SUPERVISED VISITATION USING REMOTE TECHNOLOGY | April 3, 2020 |
| ORDER: REMOTE MEDIATION | April 7, 2020 |
| ORDER: COURTCALL | April 8, 2020 |
| NOTICE: DIVISION OPERATIONS | May 8, 2020 |
| FAMILY RULE 5N & FM-1193 | May 26, 2020 |
| NOTICE: TELEPHONIC COURT APPEARANCES FOR CHILD SUPPORT MATTERS IN DEPARTMENT 71 | June 2, 2020 |
| ORDER: COURTCALL | June 12, 2020 |
| NOTICE: TELEPHONIC COURT APPEARANCES FOR CHILD SUPPORT MATTERS IN DEPARTMENT 70 | June 22, 2020 |
| FAMILY RULE 2 & FM-1195 | June 23, 2020 |
| JUVENILE DEPENDENCY | Order Date |
| ORDER MODIFYING DEPENDENCY COURT-ORDERED VISITATION | March 19, 2020 |
| ORDER MODIFYING DEPENDENCY COURT-ORDERED VISITATION | April 13, 2020 |
| ORDER MODIFYING DEPENDENCY COURT-ORDERED VISITATION | April 30, 2020 |
| ORDER MODIFYING DEPENDENCY COURT-ORDERED VISITATION | May 29, 2020 |
| 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 |
July 22, 2020 Juvenile Justice Youth Win Law Day Poster Contest with Powerful Image of Single Fist
July 9, 2020 Santa Clara County Superior Court Hosts Program on Criminal Justice Reform: The Color of Justice
July 8, 2020 Live Chat Now Available for Self-Represented Litigants Seeking Assistance With The Self-Help Center
June 30, 2020 State Budget Effect on the Santa Clara County Superior Court
June 24, 2020 Santa Clara County Superior Court Extends Current Bail Schedule To September 1, 2020
June 18, 2020 Santa Clara County Superior Court Issues Interim Order to Extend Emergency Bail Schedule
June 18, 2020 Santa Clara County Superior Court Jury Trials to Resume with Enhanced Social Distancing Protocols
June 17, 2020 Santa Clara County Superior Court Expansion of Judicial Proceedings and Court Services
May 31, 2020 Presiding Judge Deborah A. Ryan Orders the Closure Of The Santa Clara County Superior Court on June 1, 2020
May 15, 2020 Juror Appreciation Week in Santa Clara County Superior Court
May 14, 2020 Santa Clara County Superior Court Requires Use of Face Coverings While in Court
May 8, 2020 The Santa Clara County Superior Court to Expand Judicial Proceedings and Court Operations in May
May 6, 2020 Brooke A. Blecher Sworn in as Judge of the Santa Clara County Superior Court
April 28, 2020 Santa Clara County Traffic Court Information
April 27, 2020 Santa Clara County Superior Court Video Hearings and Remote Courtroom Access During COVID-19 Pandemic
April 24, 2020 Santa Clara County Superior Court Expunges Marijuana Convictions
April 22, 2020 Important Family Law Information
for Santa Clara County
April 10, 2020 General Order RE:
Statewide Emergency Bail Schedule
April 6, 2020 Superior Court Appoints a New Commissioner
April 3, 2020 General Order RE: Implementation of Emergency Relief
April 1, 2020 Santa Clara Superior Court Authorizes Citation and Release of Certain Individuals Due to COVID-19
March 27, 2020 Public Access to Court for Emergency Motions
March 27, 2020 Unlawful Detainer (Evictions) Information
March 26, 2020 Traffic Court Information
March 24, 2020 Santa Clara County Superior Court Restricts Visitors Entering the Courthouse
March 17, 2020 Superior Court Operations During Shelter in Place
March 13, 2020 Santa Clara County Superior Court Issues Emergency Orders
March 12, 2020 Traffic Court Payments by Phone
March 09, 2020 Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Information
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
- Pursuant to the General Orders implementing emergency relief issued by Presiding Judge Deborah A. Ryan, the periods from March 17, 2020, to March 27, 2020, inclusive, and March 30th and April 28, 2020, and April 29 and May 29, 2020, inclusive, are deemed holidays for purposes of computing time for filing papers with the court. .
- All civil jury trials scheduled between Tuesday, March 17, 2020, through September 2020, are hereby vacated. Trials originally scheduled during this period have been re-scheduled to a Trial Setting Conference. Discovery deadlines shall be re-set with the new trial date. The Court will provide notice of the Trial Setting Conference date.
- When normal operations resume, the Court will set new trial dates for all affected cases, taking into consideration the original trial date, the exigency of the subject matter, and any statutory priority.
- Mandatory settlement conferences scheduled between March 17, 2020, through September 2020, are hereby vacated. Mandatory Settlement Conferences scheduled during this period have been re-scheduled to a Trial Setting Conference. The Court will provide notice of the Trial Setting Conference date.
- Status Conferences, OSCs, Dismissal Conferences, Return from Mediation Conferences and Case Management Conferences scheduled between March 17, 2020, through July 10, 2020, have been or will be continued. The court will send notice of a re-scheduled dates.
- All law and motion matters scheduled between March 17, 2020, through May 15, 2020, were continued. Please check tentative rulings and follow the instructions provided by the Department.
- Parties and counsel are strongly encouraged to arrange for telephonic appearances through CourtCall.
- A public access phone line will be provided for listen-only participants.
- 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 .
- Ex parte applications for case management departments are now being accepted via E-filing or drop box. The matters are only heard remotely and may take up to 24-48 hours for processing.
- Unlawful Detainer filings are currently not accepted and will be returned to the filing party.
- Effective March 17, 2020, the Santa Clara County Superior Court is not processing any legal paperwork or holding any court proceedings that would result in eviction from a residence or commercial property during the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak. The Court will consider requests for temporary stays of eviction.
- All small claims motions and trials scheduled between March 17, 2020, through July 10, 2020 were continued to a future date. Notice of the new date have been or will be mailed to all parties.
- Certain probate matters have resumed the week of May 18. Please check the Court’s online portal for more information about your individual case.
- General probate matters scheduled for hearing between Tuesday, March 17 and Friday, June 12, 2020, have been or will be continued on a rolling basis for 45 days.
- Small Claims Mediation Options
- All time waived jury trials currently set between Tuesday, March 17 and Tuesday, June 30, 2020 will be continued on a rolling basis.
- All preliminary examinations with time waivers set between Tuesday, March 17 and Tuesday, June 30, 2020 will be continued on a rolling basis.
- Please contact your attorney of record to verify the new date for your time waived trial or time waived preliminary examination or check with the Court after Tuesday, June 30, 2020 for more information.
- In 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. In custody and out of custody arraignments for Family Violence charges will be heard as scheduled at the Hall of Justice at 190 W. Hedding St., San Jose, CA 95110 until further notice.
- All preliminary examinations without a time waiver 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 family violence cases 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 June 8, 2020, until further notice.
- The court is making limited calendar space available for cases set at the request of the parties. Please contact your attorney of record for questions about this calendar.
- Effective May 18, 2020, persons conducting background checks are now able to come to the Records Unit located at the Hall of Justice 190 W. Hedding St., San Jose, CA 95110.
- Pursuant to Emergency Rule 8 of the California Rules of Court, adopted by the Judicial Council on April 6, 2020, all DVRO trials scheduled between March 17, 2020, through May 1, 2020, will be continued by the court for up to 90 days, except where the court has determined that child custody and visitation must be addressed.
- When normal operations resume, the Court will set new trial dates for all affected family cases, taking into consideration the original trial date, the exigency of the subject matter, and any statutory priority.
- Mandatory settlement conferences scheduled between March 17, 2020, through May 29, 2020, are hereby vacated. When normal operations resume, the Court will set new mandatory settlement conference dates. Alternatively, the parties may be contacted to participate in a settlement conference using telephone, remote, or tech-based services.
- All law and motion matters scheduled between March 17, 2020, through May 29, 2020, are hereby continued, excluding:
- (a) requests for DVRO where the court has determined that child custody and visitation must be addressed; .
- (b) Order to Show Cause re: Contempt, where personal appearance may be necessary to preserve the court’s jurisdiction;
- (c) Requests for Order or other matters involving the safety of children, such as Emergency Screenings, and
- (d) other urgent matters requiring judicial intervention, scheduled at the court’s discretion
- Any Temporary Emergency Order shall remain in effect until the continued hearing date, unless otherwise indicated by the Court. .
- Parties and counsel are strongly encouraged to arrange for telephonic appearances through CourtCall.
- Most Status Conferences scheduled between March 17, 2020, through May 29, 2020, are hereby continued. The court will send notice of a re-scheduled Status Conference.
- Most Judicial Custody Conferences, Custody Settlement Conferences, and Custody and Visitation Review Hearings scheduled between March 17, 2020, through May 29, 2020, are hereby continued. The Court will send notice of a re-scheduled conference or review hearing.
- Most matters scheduled before a Child Support Commissioner between March 17, 2020, through May 29, 2020, are hereby continued. The Court will send notice of the re-scheduled hearing date.
- All temporary judge assignments on any date through May 31, 2020, have been cancelled.
- 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 hearings except detention hearings, 366.26 hearings and emergency requests will be continued on a rolling basis for up to 60 days.
- Some hearings are being done by stipulation of parties.
- 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 between Tuesday, March 17 and Thursday, July 2, 2020 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.
- The “Appear by Date” (due date) on your courtesy notice will be automatically extended to Thursday, July 2, 2020. Tickets can be paid online or by phone: 408-878-0098 .
- For Traffic cases with initial due dates between March 17, 2020, and May 1, 2020, or a payment plan with the next payment due between March 17, 2020, and May 1, 2020, all due dates and payment dates will be extended to July 6, 2020.
- In response to the County of Santa Clara's "Shelter In Place" orders, all prospective jurors who have received notice to report for jury duty during the weeks beginning March 16, 2020 through and including the week of June 8, 2020 are excused from jury duty at this time. Your service is deemed complete and you will receive a one year exemption. There is nothing else you need to do.
- Prospective jurors that are assigned to any week starting June 15, 2020 and beyond still remain scheduled. Until further notice, you will need to follow the reporting instructions for your assigned week as indicated on your summons.
- 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
- 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
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- California Department of Public Health
- Santa Clara County Public Health Department
MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT / COLLABORATIVE COURTS
SELF HELP CENTER/FAMILY LAW FACILITATOR'S OFFICE/RESTRAINING ORDER HELP CENTER
This section provides updates and information regarding Court FAQs, including:
Is the Court accepting filings?
Yes, the dropbox is available as is e-filing.
How to attend court appearances?
Most matters are being heard remotely through court call and a public access, listen-only line is also available.
When will trials begin?
Civil jury trials will be re-scheduled to a Trial Setting Conference date later in the year. The Court will provide notice of the Trial Setting Conference date.
When will Mandatory Settlement Conferences resume?
Mandatory Settlement Conferences will be re-scheduled to a Trial Setting Conference date later in the year. The Court will provide notice of the Trial Setting Conference date.
When will law and motion calendars resume?
The Court will being ramping up these calendars and hearing matters beginning the week of May 18.
Can I still file pleadings while the Shelter in Place Order is in effect?
Yes. The FJCC Clerk’s Office is open on a limited basis for parties who need to file restraining orders or other urgent pleadings.
To file non-urgent pleadings, parties may use the drop box in the lobby of the Family Justice Center Courthouse. Parties may also continue to file pleadings using the Court’s e-filing system. Effective June 15, 2020, the FJCC’s Clerk’s Office will reopen.
Is the Court still holding hearings?
Yes. Though most hearings have been continued to future dates, the Court is still holding hearings for matters it has deemed urgent. The Family Division currently has four departments operating each day.
Effective June 15, 2020, the Family Division expects to have six departments operating.
Effective June 22, 2020, the Family Division expects to have nine departments operating.
Effective June 29, 2020, the Family Division expects to have eleven departments operating.
By Mid-July 2020, the Family Division expects to have all thirteen departments operating.
Is the Court conducting any Family Division trials?
No. All trials scheduled through June 30, 2020, have been continued to a status conference after July 1, 2020.
How do I know if my hearing date has been changed?
The Court will send a notice in the mail to the parties if their hearing date has changed. Parties may also check to see if a hearing date has changed using the Court’s online Public Portal by searching for their case number or checking the calendar.
Can I appear by telephone at a hearing?
Yes. All parties, joined parties, attorneys and minor’s counsel are authorized to appear via CourtCall through July 6, 2020, for any matter except for the day of an emergency screening.
How do I know where in the courthouse to go for my hearing?
To determine your hearing department, you can check the schedule that is posted at the metal detector and in front of the courtrooms on the 3rd, 6th and 7th Floors.
Can I receive help filling out court paperwork while the Shelter in Place Order is in effect?
Yes. The Self-Help Center and the Restraining Order Help Center are open to help with paperwork related to restraining orders and emergency child custody and visitation orders.
Do I need to wear a mask at the courthouse?
Yes. All individuals entering the FJCC must wear a face covering.
I submitted a pleading to the Clerk’s Office for filing but have not received anything back. Should I be concerned?
No. The Clerk’s Office is still processing pleadings but is prioritizing urgent matters. As a result, it may take longer to receive a filed copy of your pleading.
If you are requesting relief related to child, spousal, partner or family support, Emergency Rule 13 of the California Rules of Court allows you to serve your request on the other party before it is filed and assigned a hearing date. Any order modifying or terminating support pursuant to an unfiled request may be deemed effective as of the date the request and supporting papers were served.
If you serve an unfiled request related to child, spousal, partner or family support, you must also serve on the other party a filed copy of the request and supporting papers that includes the assigned hearing date once you receive it.
Is the Court hearing any issues related to child, spousal, partner or family support while the Shelter in Place Order is in effect?
The Court is not generally hearing matters related to support; however, some support issues deemed urgent by the judicial officer may be heard while the Shelter in Place Order is in effect.
Contempt matters set before a child support commissioner are being heard with all parties appearing by telephone.
Is Family Court Services still conducting mediations?
Yes. Family Court Services is conducting mediations remotely. If you were previously ordered to mediation, you will review a notice in the mail of your mediation date and time. The mediator will call you and it may be from a blocked number.
What kinds of cases are currently being heard?
Effective June 17th, all case types will be heard on calendars as follows:
| Mondays: | 9:00 a.m. General Probate Calendar |
| 9:01 a.m. Initial Administration of Estate Petitions | |
| Tuesdays: | 1:30 p.m. Conservatorship Appointment/Modification/Termination Calendar |
| Wednesdays: | 9:00 a.m. General Probate Calendar |
| 9:01 a.m. Initial Administration of Estate Petitions | |
| 10:00 a.m. Motions calendar | |
| Thursdays: | 9:00 a.m. General Probate Calendar |
| 9:01 a.m. Initial Administration of Estate Petitions | |
| 10:30 a.m. Status Conference Calendars |
At this time, we are not hearing any matters on Fridays, nor are any evidentiary hearings being set. Check back here for updates as we continue to add proceedings.
For all hearings, it is expected parties will appear via Court Call. More information about how to use Court Call can be found here: http://www.scscourt.org/court_divisions/civil/civil_telephonic.shtml. If a person must come to the courthouse for some reason, they will be expected to follow court protocols regarding social distancing and wearing of face coverings.
8. Judicial Proceedings / Court Hearings
The Court has determined that these court hearings will go forward during this time:
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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:
During this time the Court strongly encourages the practice of social distancing and the use of CourtCall (1-888-88-COURT) to appear telephonically, as permitted by law under California Rules of Court, rule 3.670, whenever possible.
As courts are allowing more telephonic appearances and shortening the related scheduling deadlines in response to the COVID-19 crisis, CourtCall will waive any and all late fees that it is otherwise entitled to collect in any and all courts served in the United States and Canada for all CourtCall Appearances scheduled between March 12, 2020 and April 30, 2020.
For more information about COVID-19, please visit the following webpages:
12. FAQs about the Local Health Officer Shelter in Place Order
Shelter in Place FAQ-Vietnamese
13. Social Distancing Protocols: Site-Specific Protection Plans
Family Justice Center Courthouse
Hall of Justice Criminal Courthouse