For Self-Represented Litigants
Representing yourself in California? See what the court expects — from the official source.
California has one trial court in every county, the superior court, and every superior court runs a self-help center. Pick your case and county for the step-by-step procedure, the court's own self-help and filing pages, and the local rules for that case type — each cited to the official source.
What kind of case?
Small claims
Up to $12,500 for an individual; $6,250 for most others
Eviction (unlawful detainer)
10 court days to respond — the clock is short
Traffic tickets
Contest an infraction, including by written declaration
Criminal — misdemeanor
Arraignment, appointed counsel, and the appellate division
Criminal — felony
Preliminary examination; trial within 60 days of arraignment on the information
Divorce & family
Residency, preliminary disclosure, and the six-month period
Domestic violence restraining orders
Temporary orders on your declaration; up to five years after a hearing
Child support
The statewide guideline formula
Probate & small estates
Small-estate collection after 40 days, within the threshold
Conservatorship & guardianship
Conservators for adults; guardians for minors
Juvenile dependency
Detention hearing by the next judicial day; appointed counsel
When to talk to a lawyer
If the other side has counsel, if children, your home, your immigration status, or your safety are at stake, if you face criminal exposure, or if a deadline already passed — procedural information is not enough. Your county court's self-help center, lawyer referral services and local legal aid offices exist for exactly this. BenchPath shows you what the court has published about what it requires; it will never tell you what to argue.
Not legal advice
BenchPath provides procedural information from official public sources with verification dates and confidence levels. It is not a law firm, provides no legal advice or strategy, and creates no attorney–client relationship. Verify urgent deadlines with the court clerk or the court's self-help center.