COVID-19 - The Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara

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

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

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

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4. Press Releases

January 28, 2022 Court to Reopen Public Counters and Reinstate Public Access to Courthouses on Monday, January 31

January 26, 2022 Fred T. Korematsu Day of Civil Liberties and the Constitution Building Resilience in the Fight for Racial Justice: Learning from the Past to Build a Better Future

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

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5. Contact the Court

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

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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

CIVIL

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

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CRIMINAL

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.

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FAMILY

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

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JUVENILE COURTS

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.

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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

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TRAFFIC

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 .

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JURY SERVICES

Please visit our Jury Services page for the most current jury information.

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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

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7. Court FAQs

This section provides updates and information regarding Court FAQs, including:

Probate Court FAQ

1. PROBATE COURT FAQ:

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.

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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.

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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:

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

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10. CourtCall

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.

11. COVID-19 Resources:

For more information about COVID-19, please visit the following webpages:

12. COVID-19 Prevention Program

COVID-19 Prevention Program

Procedures for Employee COVID-19 Exposures and Positive Tests

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