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Contra Costa County, CA
Every published instrument scoped to Contra Costa County, newest effective date first. 0 circuit-wide and 13 statewide instruments also apply here — search all three layers together. Procedural information only; not legal advice.
Showing 51–90 of 90 · page 2 of 2
Further to Local Rule 2.87: electronic filing mandatory in Designated Cases from July 5, 2022 - Limited and Unlimited Civil (including Complex), Family Law (including DCSS), Probate, Small Claims, Unlawful Detainer, Appeals; the documents still filed in hard copy (civil harassment and workplace violence restraining orders, bonds and undertakings, bench warrants, name change petitions, challenges under Code of Civil Procedure §§ 170.1/170.3 and 170.6, and the listed civil, complex, probate, family and small claims documents); no courtesy copies unless ordered.
Department 14's pre-trial orders and trial protocol (all trials in person): trial exhibits 14 days before trial (numbers for Plaintiff, letters for Defendant, Respondent's numbered exhibits from R500); trial briefs filed at least 10 days before trial (not over twenty (20) pages), witness lists and motions in limine; and the additional trial requirements (court hours 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., computer devices, evidence, scheduling, closing trial briefs).
if the Department of Justice has already sealed (Penal Code section 851.93) or expunged (Penal Code section 1203.425) all convictions a pending motion for conviction relief concerns, the Clerk notifies the parties with the docket number of the case and the statement that the petitioner need not calendar a motion date, and enters the sealing or the dismissal of the petition.
Department 26's family law pre-trial orders and best practices: remote and in-person appearances; filings; e-mails; domestic violence trials and trial submittal deadlines; DV stipulations; non-DV long cause trials (the Income and Expense Declaration, witness lists); and the trial protocol.
From September 15, 2025, in Unlimited and Limited Civil cases and Unlimited Unlawful Detainer cases: notice to the opposing party by 10:00 a.m. the day before (rule 3.1203) with a declaration; email notice to the assigned department by 10:00 am the court day before; papers filed by 3:00 pm the day before; oppositions by 10:00 a.m. the day of the determination; hearings only if ordered; rulings within 24 hours. Motions for summary judgment / adjudication: a hearing date reserved by email before filing, the moving papers filed within seven (7) calendar days.
Unlawful detainer ex parte applications: check-in at the civil clerk's window of the assigned branch and the hearing times - Martinez directly to Department 57 at 1:30 p.m.; Pittsburg check-in by 10:00 a.m. for 10:30 a.m. in Department 54; Richmond check-in by 1:00 p.m. for 1:15 p.m. in Department 50; the filing and fees.
Department 38's pre-trial order: discovery complete and expert witnesses disclosed 30 days before trial (CCP §2034.230); the non-expert witness list 14 days before; exhibits (pre-marked; not lodged in advance; copies for the witness) and trial briefs 7 days before; stipulations; service 7 days or fewer before trial; and court reporters (the Civil Protocols for Use of Private Pro Tempore Reporters packet).
Electronic filing permitted, not mandatory, in Criminal and Juvenile cases from November 27, 2023 (optional in Juvenile Dependency cases); the documents still filed in hard copy in criminal matters (initial complaints, parole and PRCS filings and warrants, Ramey and search warrants, waivers of extradition, habeas petitions, orders and judgments, challenges under §§ 170.1/170.3 and 170.6, ex parte motions) and juvenile matters; no courtesy copies unless ordered.
Unlawful detainer cases are heard by qualified court commissioners; a party who chooses not to stipulate is referred to the Supervising Judge of the division in which the matter is pending (Richmond, Pittsburg, or the Supervising Civil Judge for Martinez); the court's authority under Code of Civil procedure section 259(b) is unaffected; Section 1 of Standing Order 5.17 of May 30, 2018 rescinded.
Under Rule 5.522 of the California Rules of Court the court accepts facsimile filing of juvenile petitions under Welfare and Institutions Code sections 600 and 601, with Judicial Council Form JV-520 - Fax Filing Cover Sheet (Juvenile); petitions filed by facsimile in 2017 or 2018 deemed filed (Local Rules 2.80 et seq.).
Petitions seeking involuntary medication of detainees under Penal Code §§ 1370(a)(2)(D)(ii), 2603(c), or 2603(d) and the documents supporting or opposing them may be filed under seal and in an envelope marked “Confidential”; the court's records of these petitions are kept in a confidential file.
Juvenile Court Standing Order #3 (2015): an attorney substituting in to a juvenile dependency case files a motion for substitution at least two weeks before any scheduled court hearing when retained counsel replaces appointed counsel, or a substitution of counsel form (MC-050) signed by new counsel, old counsel and the client when retained counsel replaces retained counsel; normally no continuance of the scheduled hearing; new counsel prepared for the next hearing.
The court will not store dangerous, toxic or bio-hazardous materials as exhibits (drugs, paraphernalia, paint, bodily fluids, urine and weapons); the party brings photographs to be marked and substituted; exhibits returned under Penal Code 1417.3 with a photographic record; toxic exhibits introduced by photographic records and a certified chemical analysis.
The Probate Examiners' calendar notes itemizing legal deficiencies, ordinarily available 6-8 days before the hearing on the court's Public Portal; responding to a NEEDED item by a conforming pleading (Rules of Court 4.01); pleadings filed by five days before the hearing date to be considered.
Appeals: the First District Court of Appeal; the Appellate Division; the notice of appeal and the forms; the record (the clerk's transcript costs paid within 10 days); briefs; the Appellate Division's oral arguments generally on the 1st Friday of each month via Zoom, the calendar and Zoom link posted about 1 week before; writs; and where each appeal and writ is filed (Window C in Room 103 of the Wakefield Taylor Courthouse; the Criminal Clerk's Office in Room 127; the Walnut Creek Superior Court for juvenile matters).
Discovery disputes (except those in Family, Probate, Limited Jurisdiction, and Complex Civil cases) assigned to a Discovery Commissioner in Department 57, Room 102 of the Wakefield Taylor Courthouse, on Wednesdays, and Fridays at 10:30a.m. (Zoom; CourtCall not permitted); the Discovery Facilitator Program no longer mandatory; courtesy copies to Department 57; a $60 filing fee for each separate motion; other discovery matters on Law & Motion days in the assigned departments.
The court's civil e-filing instructions: e-filing under Local Rule 2.87 and the Standing Order on E-Filing; who must e-file and the case types; the EFSPs; filing hours (filed that day if received before 11:59:59 p.m. on a court day); processing from 8:00 a.m. through 4:00 p.m.; common reasons for rejection (separate PDFs, data fields, case type, location, timeliness, text searchable and bookmarked documents); electronic service; fees; proposed orders; fee waivers; sealed filings; courtesy copies; and the technical requirements.
Documents placed on File and Serve for the Complex Litigation Department are serve only and must be filed through the Odyssey e-filing system; Department 16 (Judge Benjamin Reyes II); the high tech courtroom and its Evidence Presentation Equipment instructions; the department's pre-trial orders, initial case assignment order and sample orders.
Mandatory civil e-filing for attorneys under Local Rule 2.87 and the Ninth Amended E-Filing Standing Order (the implementation schedule: voluntary June 20th, 2022, mandatory July 5th, 2022); the notice re family law filing - selecting the correct fee through the optional services tab ($435 first appearance; $60 motion; $25 motion to modify); criminal and juvenile e-filing under the permissive standing order.
Requesting an interpreter: the MC-300e&s Interpreter Request given to a window or courtroom clerk or e-mailed to Interpreter Services (intrps@contracosta.courts.ca.gov), a new form for each hearing, as early as possible; certified, registered or provisionally qualified interpreters; sign language interpreters; the Language Access Representative; the Language Access Services Comment Form.
The court's protocol for privately retained court reporters: the procuring party's obligations; the reporter to appear 15 minutes before the calendar and contact the Court Reporter Unit; stipulated selections under Government Code §70044 (form CV-310; notice to the department at least 3 court days before contested matters over one hour; real time reporting, form CV-302); reporting in contested matters other than by stipulation (the court's list; form CV-311); contested LPS trials and adoptions; and family law contempt proceedings.
The court's criminal and juvenile e-filing instructions: e-filing is optional in criminal and juvenile cases under the Standing Order on E-Filing in Criminal and Juvenile Cases (Rules 2.251 – 2.259 of the California Rules of Court); the EFSPs; filing hours; processing; rejections; electronic service; fees; proposed orders; fee waivers; sealed filings; courtesy copies; and the technical requirements.
Department 10's Pre-Trial Discovery Conference (PDC) to resolve discovery disputes within 30 days without a formal motion: how a PDC arises (a stipulation before a Motion to Compel, tolling the time to file, or the Court's own contact); the disputes it hears and the cases it will not (a self-represented party; straight motions to compel); the stipulation's contents (meet and confer efforts, a summary, a privilege log); the joint letter brief five court days before (not over five pages); the PDC in chambers with attorneys in person; and its outcomes and sanctions.
Department 16's pre-trial orders: the summary of deadlines (issue conference, trial readiness conference, the Advance Pre-Trial Conference, motions in limine, witness lists and exhibits ten (10) calendar days before trial, jury instructions, trial briefs, lodging on the first appearance); the preference for electronic or digital exhibits on a thumb drive; witness lists and trial exhibits; motions in limine; the advanced trial conference; proposed jury instructions and verdict forms; voir dire; courtroom decorum; opening statements; witnesses; objections; closing arguments; and compliance.
Department 2's best practices and pre-trial orders: courtesy copies in the drop box; DV stipulations (amended DV-110, DV-140 or DV-130; non-CLETS orders prohibited; the DV-116 wording) dropped off in the D2 box; DV trials (Family Code Section 6309; witness and exhibit lists 7 days before trial); e-mails; filings; in-person appearance for MSC, long cause, trial and contempt; non-DV long cause trials and the trial submittal timeline; remote and in-person appearances; the trial protocol; Zoom details.
Department 26's best practices and pre-trial orders: DV stipulations (dropped off in the D26 box); DV trials; e-mails; filings; non-DV long cause trials and their deadlines; remote and in-person appearances; the trial protocol; Zoom details.
Department 30's pre-trial order: discovery complete and expert witnesses disclosed 30 days before trial (CCP §2034.230); the non-expert witness list 14 days before; exhibits (pre-marked, in binders with an exhibit list; not lodged in advance) and trial briefs 7 days before; stipulations; service 7 days or fewer before trial by hand delivery; and court reporters (the Civil Protocols for Use of Private Pro Tempore Court Reporters packet).
Department 32's issue conference instructions (attendance in person): exhibit lists exchanged one month before and met and conferred three weeks before; the trial brief five court days before the Issue Conference with tabbed sections - the statement of the case, motions in limine (served 10 court days before; answers 3 court days before), the witness list, the trial estimate, the court reporter, the exhibit list (a Word table), witness availability (trials Mondays through Thursdays), interpreters, CACI jury instructions and the proposed verdict form.
Department 35: mandatory settlement conferences in person unless the parties agree to appear by Zoom and the court so orders (Local Rule 5.7(a)); long cause and trials in person; short cause calendars by Zoom without an Order to Appear Remotely; the Zoom details.
Department 7's best practices: courtesy copies of pleadings filed within 5 court days of a hearing in the mailbox; e-mails (a joint written request to vacate); filings (the RFO, RESPONSE and REPLY; exhibits over 10 pages; AI disclosure); the long cause pre-trial order; the mandatory settlement conference (Local Rule 5.7; the worksheet for self-represented parties); remote and in-person appearances; DV stipulations; requests to continue (Local Rule 5.4(e) and 5.9(g)); Zoom details.
Department 7's long-cause pre-trial order: expert witness disclosures 50 days before trial; declarations of final disclosure 45 days before trial (Family Code § 2106); discovery completed 30 days before trial; discovery motions heard 15 days before the trial date (Section 2024.020), witness lists, the meet and confer and Income & Expense Declarations; 7 days before trial the disputed issues list, trial briefs (20 pages), joint motions in limine, the Section 4320 analysis and exhibits (hard copy sets, electronic exhibits on a USB drive); and the additional requirements (service, electronics, witnesses, objections, closing trial briefs and statements of decision under Code of Civil Procedure section 632).
Where ex parte applications are submitted and their notice: family law at Window #10 of the Spinetta Family Law Center (8:00 am to 4:00 pm); temporary conservatorships, temporary guardianships and general probate matters at the Probate File Examiners Offices, Room 210 (9:00 am to 11:00 am, sign-in 8:00 am to 9:00 am; GC-112, GC-115 and GC-211); civil ex parte applications governed by Standing Order since September 15, 2025.
Unlawful detainer hearings in person; remote appearances under CCP Section 367.75 with RA-010 (oppositions on RA-015); Zoom for Department 50 (Richmond/Walnut Creek), Department 54 (Pittsburg) and Department 57 (Martinez); documents for remote hearings served and submitted 3 court days before (no electronic delivery); the Unlawful Detainer Ex Parte Procedure; the eviction process and the Self-Help Center.
Oppositions served at least nine (9) court days and replies at least five (5) court days before the hearing; the $60 fee for a motion or ex parte application (Government Code section 70617); sanctions paid at the Civil Filing Windows in the Wakefield Taylor Courthouse; the $20.00 stipulation and order fee; no fee for an order after hearing; compromise of claims of minors and incompetent persons (Probate Code section 3500, Code of Civil Procedure section 372; Room 103; $435 when no complaint has been filed).
Probate ex parte hours 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. with the Probate Examiners (sign-in between 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m.) at 725 Court Street Room 210, Martinez; all ex parte matters by submission, the applicant contacted for pick up.
Requirements for all remote appearances (CCP § 367.75; CRC 3.672; CRC 1.150): notice to the other parties no later than 10 days before the hearing (5 court days on shorter notice) by form RA-10, and notice to the court; objections on form RA-015; interpreter requests in advance; and the conditions of a remote appearance (connectivity, audio and video, attire, a private location, no recording).
Where and when restraining order applications are submitted: Domestic Violence Restraining Orders at the Spinetta Family Law Center (8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.; e-filing, drop box or mail), or at the Richmond or Pittsburg courthouse only for the residents the page names; civil harassment, private postsecondary school, workplace violence and elder abuse requests at Department 57, Room 102 (9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.); Gun Violence Restraining Order forms by email; hearings in person and remote appearances (CCP Section 367.75, RA-010, RA-015; documents 3 court days before).
Small claims hearings in person; remote appearances under CCP Section 367.75 with RA-010, oppositions on RA-015 and written approval only when opposed; Zoom for Department 50 (Richmond/Walnut Creek), Department 54 (Pittsburg) and Department 57 (Martinez); documents for remote hearings served and submitted 3 court days before (no electronic delivery); claim limits ($12,500; $6,250) and filing fees ($30, $50, $75; $100 after 12 cases).
Remote appearance at a traffic hearing or arraignment by TR-128 (filed in person or by mail; remote hearings typically on Fridays); Department 50 traffic trial calendars at 8:30 a.m. in Walnut Creek (arraignments 9:30 a.m.) and 1:30 p.m. in Richmond (arraignments 2:00), Department 54 in Pittsburg at 8:30 a.m., with the Zoom details; reminder notices; failure to appear or pay (a civil assessment of up to $100; TR-320); payment at the clerk's office between 8:00 am and 4:00 pm.
Where court forms are filed: the courthouse for each case type (appeals, limited and unlimited civil cases at the Wakefield Taylor Courthouse, small claims and unlawful detainer by city, criminal, elder abuse, family law and domestic violence restraining orders at the Spinetta Family Law Center, the Domestic Violence window at the Pittsburg Superior Court or the Restraining Order window at the Richmond Superior Court, juvenile at the Walnut Creek Superior Court, probate, traffic) and the courthouse for each city and ZIP code.