Madera County
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Madera County Superior Court — 2026 Miscellaneous Order No. 6 – 1st Amended: Reassignment of Cases upon Disqualification of a Judge within the Juvenile Division
2026 Miscellaneous Order No. 6 – 1st Amended (effective August 3, 2026): a case in which the presiding judge within the Juvenile Division (matters heard regularly in Department 36) is disqualified reassigned first to Department 21, and, each in turn if disqualified or unavailable, to Department 22, Department 23, Department 38 and Department 24; if Departments 36, 21, 22, 23, 38 and 24 are all disqualified or not available, the matter routed to the presiding judge of the Madera County Superior Court or the assistant presiding judge (if not disqualified) for further reassignment, then to the most senior judge available who has not been disqualified (by the date the judge was sworn into office).
Madera County Superior Court — 2026 Miscellaneous Order No. 4 – 2nd Amended: Reassignment of Cases upon Disqualification of a Judge within the Criminal Division
2026 Miscellaneous Order No. 4 – 2nd Amended (effective August 3, 2026): a case in which a judge within the Criminal Division (Department 17, Department 21, Department 22, Department 24 and Department 38) is disqualified reassigned to a courtroom for all purposes pursuant to Rule 3.734 of the California Rules of Court by the attached “Department Assignment” number sheet - staff excluding the last digit of the case number and assigning by the next two digits, excluding an additional digit if that falls to the same disqualified department, and, where the case still falls within the same department after excluding all numbers, assigning it to the next department (Department 21 to Department 22, 22 to 24, 24 to 38, 38 to 21); the defendant’s pending cases in the disqualified department moving with the disqualified case unless the judge finds unusual circumstances; a traffic case that is the source of a disqualification in Department 21, 22, 24 or 38 may be sent back to Department 17; traffic cases (matters filed exclusively under the California Vehicle Code involving misdemeanor and/or infraction charges, regularly heard in Department 17) whose judicial officer is disqualified reassigned first to Department 37 - unless the defendant has other criminal matters pending in another department - and, if Department 37 is also disqualified, to the criminal department by the number sheet; if the judicial officers of Departments 21, 22, 24 and 38 are all disqualified, the case(s) routed to the presiding judge or the assistant presiding judge (if not disqualified), then to the most senior judge available (by the date the judge was sworn into office); the sheet's chart of the terminal numbers 0 to 99 among Departments 24, 21, 22 and 38, and the lowest number of the MCR case(s) deciding the department when a defendant has both a MCR numbered case(s) and a SCR numbered case(s).
Madera County Superior Court — 2026 Miscellaneous Order No. 3 – 3rd Amended: Assignment of Judges for All Purposes
2026 Miscellaneous Order No. 3 – 3rd Amended (effective August 3, 2026, and until further order): judicial assignments made and cases assigned for all purposes pursuant to Rule 3.734 of the California Rules of Court. Department 17: Commissioner Elizabeth Diaz, all traffic proceedings including new arraignments for traffic misdemeanors under the Vehicle Code (jury trials once confirmed assigned to the criminal department for Final Trial Confirmation by the terminal case number), and Commissioner Douglas Treisman, all family support cases. Departments 21, 22, 24 and 38 (The Hon. Katherine M. Rigby, The Hon. Miguel Valdovinos, The Hon. Sosi C. Vogt, The Hon. Brian W. Enos): the criminal cases filed in the Criminal Division by the terminal case number in the attached chart. Department 23: The Hon. Dale J. Blea, the assignment of all criminal jury trials - the Presiding Judge of the Court; the judge of Department 24 is the Assistant Presiding Judge of the Court and the Presiding Judge of Drug Court. Department 36: The Hon. Ernest J. LiCalsi, all proceedings under Sections 300, 601, and 602 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, truancy cases and adoption proceedings - the Presiding Judge of the Juvenile Court. Departments 37 and 40: The Hon. Daniel Walters (odd terminal case numbers) and The Hon. D. Lynn Collet (even), family law cases (except child support proceedings) and probate guardianship proceedings concerning a child only; Department 37 also the Batterers’ Treatment Program review hearings (the Presiding Judge of the Batterers Treatment Court), Department 40 the Behavioral Health Court and Veterans’ Treatment Court hearings (the Presiding Judge of the Behavioral Health Court, Veteran’s Treatment Court and the Presiding Judge of the Appellate Department). Departments 44 and 45: The Hon. Michael J. Jurkovich (even) and The Hon. Eric J. LiCalsi (odd), all cases filed in the Civil Division except family law, child support and criminal proceedings; Department 44 also CARE Court and selecting and supervising the Grand Jury - the Supervising Judge of the Civil Division. The attached chart divides the terminal numbers 0 to 99 among Departments 24, 21, 22 and 38; when a defendant has both a MCR numbered case(s) and a SCR numbered case(s), the lowest number of the MCR case(s) decides the department.
Madera County Superior Court — 2026 Miscellaneous Order No. 5: Reassignment of Cases upon Disqualification of a Judge within the Civil Division
2026 Miscellaneous Order No. 5 (effective January 2, 2026): a case in which a judge within the Civil Division (Department 17 when hearing AB 1058 matters, Department 37, Department 40, Department 44, and the Temporary Remote Department) is disqualified reassigned for all purposes pursuant to Rule 3.734 of the California Rules of Court - a Department 44 case first to the Temporary Remote Department and a Temporary Remote Department case first to Department 44, then, if both judges are disqualified, to Department 37 or Department 40 based upon the terminal case number as generally assigned to such department; a Department 40 case first to Department 37 and a Department 37 case first to Department 40, then to Department 44 or the Temporary Remote Department based upon the terminal case number; a Department 17 case, while that judicial officer sits as a commissioner under AB1058, to Department 37 or Department 40 based upon the terminal case number; next to whichever department of the pair has a judge not disqualified, and when all are disqualified to the presiding judge or the assistant presiding judge (if not disqualified) for further reassignment, then to the most senior judge available who has not been disqualified.
Madera County Superior Court Local Rules of Court (effective January 1, 2026) — Division 9, Court Personnel (Rules 9.1.1 to 9.4.7)
Division 9: court personnel, judicial officers, officers and employees (9.1.1 to 9.1.5); the appointment and functions of the Court Executive Officer (9.2.1 and 9.2.2); the Chief Probation Officer (9.3.1 and 9.3.2); and the Director of Family Court Services and Facilitator - mediations, evaluations and investigations, the simultaneous release of reports, the Facilitator's services to Self-Represented Litigants, and the grievance procedure for complaints to the Presiding Judge (9.4.1 to 9.4.7)
Madera County Superior Court Local Rules of Court (effective January 1, 2026) — Division 8, Appellate Department (Rules 8.1.1 to 8.1.4)
Division 8: briefs under rule 8.800 with four (4) legible copies, oral argument on the third Friday of the month at 8:00 a.m., fifteen (15) minutes for each party, and motions heard in the department designated by the Presiding Judge (8.1.1 to 8.1.4)
Madera County Superior Court Local Rules of Court (effective January 1, 2026) — Division 7, Probate, Adoption and Related Matters (Rules 7.1.1 to 7.8.8)
Division 7: notice in probate - copies of the petition served with the notice, the Clerk's notices, special or temporary letters, heirs without known addresses, handwritten and foreign wills, and the wording of probate orders (7.1.1 to 7.1.6); papers and the proposed order filed or lodged at least four (4) court days before the hearing (7.1.7); verified petitions submitted without an appearance except on confirmation of sale and appointment of a guardian or conservator, proposed orders delivered two (2) court days before (7.1.8); family allowance (7.1.9); petitions for appointment of a temporary guardian presented no later than 10:00 a.m. (7.1.10); fees and commissions, an extraordinary fee not exceeding $750 normally without an appearance (7.2.1 to 7.2.7); creditor's claims and sales (7.3.1 and 7.3.2); petitions for final distribution and the form of accounts (7.4.1 to 7.4.3); community property petitions and petitions to establish the fact of death (7.5.1 to 7.5.3); adoptions - a necessity of consent hearing within sixty (60) calendar days, and investigation charges of $300 for a stepparent adoption, $300.00 to declare a minor free and $450.00 for both (7.6.1 to 7.6.6); withdrawal of funds (7.7.1); and guardianship and conservatorship investigations - $600.00 for a guardianship investigation, $400 for a conservatorship investigation, an orientation for proposed conservators, Live Scan, and companion cases for multiple minors (7.8.1 to 7.8.8)
Madera County Superior Court Local Rules of Court (effective January 1, 2026) — Division 6, Electronic Filing (Rules 6.1.1 to 6.3.5)
Division 6: e-filing governed by Code of Civil Procedure §1010.6 and rules 2.250 et seq., effective upon implementation, fax filings not electronic filings, documents in text searchable PDF with active hyperlinks (6.1.1 to 6.1.5); eligible case types - Civil, Small Claims, Family Law, Probate through electronic filing service providers (EFSPs), and traffic infractions, misdemeanors and felonies, juvenile delinquency and child support matters through electronic delivery and justice partner interfaces (6.1.6 and 6.1.7); an editable proposed order e-mailed to Proposed.Orders@madera.courts.ca.gov (6.1.8); documents not eligible for submission through electronic filing, and CEQA and administrative mandamus records (6.2.1 to 6.2.3); and petitions for DVRO, DVTRO and GVRO electronically filed twenty-four hours per day without filing fees, with instructions and a dedicated telephone number on the court's website (6.3.1 to 6.3.5)
Madera County Superior Court Local Rules of Court (effective January 1, 2026) — Division 5, Domestic Relations and Juvenile Matters, Chapters 2 and 3 (Juvenile Dependency Counsel; Court Appointed Special Advocates) (Rules 5.2.1 to 5.3.9)
Division 5, Chapters 2 and 3: the statutory timelines for dependency hearings - detention hearings by the end of the next court day, the jurisdiction hearing within 30 calendar days (15 court days if detained), disposition, six (6) month, twelve (12) month and eighteen (18) month reviews, a notice of intent to file a writ petition within seven (7) days, the selection hearing within 120 days, and a notice of appeal within 60 days (5.2.1); standards of representation under rule 5.660(d) (5.2.2); the law firm of Ciummo and Associates appointed for the mother and Madera Alternate Defense for the father, counsel for children from the conflict panel, and a wheel attorney in a conflict (5.2.3 to 5.2.5); client complaints, the attorney for the child and information received by the Court (5.2.6 to 5.2.8); and child advocates of the Court Appointed Special Advocate Program (CASA) - their functions, oath, access to records, notice, calendar priority and right to appear (5.3.1 to 5.3.9)
Madera County Superior Court Local Rules of Court (effective January 1, 2026) — Division 5, Domestic Relations and Juvenile Matters, Chapter 1 (General) (Rules 5.1.1 to 5.1.43)
Division 5, Chapter 1: Judicial Council forms (5.1.1); Marvin cases (5.1.2); orders shortening time on an affidavit or declaration of urgent need, the papers filed not later than 4:00 the day before the hearing (5.1.4); requests for orders on spousal support, child support and attorney's fees supported by a complete income and expense declaration, served with two blank forms, the responding party's declaration filed three (3) court days prior to the hearing (5.1.5 to 5.1.7); fees waived (5.1.8); requests for orders set in the family law department to which the case is assigned, and trial setting on an at-issue memorandum (5.1.9 and 5.1.10); matters stricken on non-appearance, counsel's duty to inform the courtroom Clerk, and restoration to calendar (5.1.13 to 5.1.15); hearings, stipulations reduced to writing and the bifurcation of custody (5.1.17); a mandatory settlement conference for a trial estimate of five hours or more (5.1.18); appraisals (5.1.19); default hearings at 8:30 a.m., Monday through Friday in Department 37, Department 44 and the Temporary Remote Department, Fridays at 9:30 in Department 40, with a proposed judgment (5.1.20); family law and motion matters at 8:30 a.m. (5.1.22); child support under Family Code § 4055 and Xspouse software for temporary spousal support (5.1.23 and 5.1.24); Family Court Services - child custody evaluation as visitation work, the parties' responsibility to contact Family Court Services for intake, a memorandum to the Court if a party has not contacted it ten (10) Court days before the hearing, no charge for the orientation and the initial appointment, a fee of $200.00 for failing to attend without notifying Family Court Services 48 hours in advance, $100.00 per parent for each subsequent session and for each child interview, investigations $600.00 per parent and limited scope investigations $200.00 per parent (5.1.25 to 5.1.27); a request for relief from the investigation charge filed not less than twenty (20) days before, the Court to grant or deny it within five (5) Court days, and fee waivers approved before the first appointment (5.1.28 and 5.1.29); private evaluators by stipulation, and no peremptory disqualification of court evaluators (5.1.30 and 5.1.31); interviews with minor children (5.1.32); Madera County a recommending county, the counselor's report confidential and considered as evidence (5.1.33); a subpoena for a Child Custody Recommending Counselor delivered with the $275.00 deposit not less than ten (10) court days before, at $55.00 per hour if expenses exceed the deposit (5.1.34); copies of Family Court Services reports (5.1.35); the MAD-CIV-010 Confidential Declaration on filing a petition (5.1.36); family-centered case resolution - a status conference within 120 days of the petition and every 180 days, dismissal or other orders for failure to comply, reinstatement within six (6) months, and the Notice of Family Law Case Status Conference served with the petition (5.1.37 and 5.1.38); Family Court Services appointments cancelled at least 48 hours prior, sanctions up to $1,500.00 (5.1.39); counts in criminal contempt actions (5.1.40); minor's counsel qualified under rule 5.242, who must file form FL-322 no later than 10 days after appointment and annually, and complaints about minor's counsel (5.1.41 and 5.1.42); and professional visitation providers' form FL324(P) (5.1.43)
Madera County Superior Court Local Rules of Court (effective January 1, 2026) — Division 4, Criminal Law Matters, Chapter 2 (Traffic Matters) (Rules 4.2.1 to 4.2.9)
Division 4, Chapter 2: one extension not to exceed 30 days from the pay or appear date, requested from the clerk on or before that date (4.2.1); dismissal of correctable offenses on proof of correction and the fee under Vehicle Code § 40522 (4.2.2); proof of insurance under Vehicle Code § 16028 - the citation dismissed on a $25.00 proof of correction fee if the insurance was valid at the time the citation was issued (4.2.3); traffic violator school - a speed violation less than 26 miles per hour over the limit, no prior traffic school in the last 18 months, 90 days to complete and submit the certificate, requested on or before the due date, and a fee equal to the bail and administrative fees (4.2.4 and 4.2.5); trial by written declaration under Vehicle Code § 40902 with 20 calendar days to request a new trial on form TR-220, and trial in absentia under Vehicle Code § 40903 on form TR-205, the case dismissed if the officer's declaration is not timely (4.2.6 and 4.2.7); transcripts (4.2.8); and remote video proceedings under Rule 4.220, requested only by the defendant on Judicial Council form TR-505 or TR-510 filed with the Traffic Division at 200 South "G" Street, documents submitted with local form MAD-CSD-0007 and two (2) copies brought to the trial, documents for the day of trial to the court clerk no later than 9:30 a.m. (4.2.9)
Madera County Superior Court Local Rules of Court (effective January 1, 2026) — Division 4, Criminal Law Matters, Chapter 1 (General Matters) (Rules 4.1.1 to 4.1.16)
Division 4, Chapter 1: felony cases brought to trial within sixty (60) days of the indictment or information, time waivers generally discouraged (4.1.1); criminal discovery under Penal Code § 1054 (4.1.2); the papers for motions under Penal Code § 995 and to suppress evidence under Penal Code § 1538.5 - a specification of the evidence, the theories and authorities, and notice of intended testimony not less than ten (10) days in advance (4.1.3 and 4.1.4); motions to vacate forfeiture of bail filed in the criminal case with a supporting declaration, and the costs of returning a defendant to custody under Penal Code § 1306(b) (4.1.5); preliminary matters specified at the trial confirmation (4.1.6); a not guilty by reason of insanity plea entered within five (5) court days after the report under Evidence Code § 1017 (4.1.7); a declaration for a formal evidentiary hearing filed four (4) court days before (4.1.8); hazardous exhibits returned under Penal Code § 1417.3 and a photographic record substituted (4.1.9); reporter's notes of capital cases (4.1.10); transcripts of sound recordings served at least fourteen (14) days before trial and disputed transcripts no later than three (3) days before trial (4.1.11); petitions under Penal Code, § 1203.4 served on the Madera County Probation Department before filing (4.1.14); courtesy copies of all documents at the time of filing motions, responses and replies with the Criminal Division (4.1.15); and a Request to Recall Warrant Hearing after a failure to appear - scheduled by telephone or in person no earlier than one (1) week from the request, with bail in forfeiture status only after the defendant obtains a Letter of Reassumption of Liability and submits it to the Court within two (2) days, and after two (2) consecutive failures to appear only by a written Request for Calendar Setting (4.1.16)
Madera County Superior Court Local Rules of Court (effective January 1, 2026) — Division 3, Civil Rules (Rules 3.1.1 to 3.8.1)
Division 3: notices of motion, demurrers and orders to show cause served and filed under Code of Civil Procedure § 1005, proofs of service filed not later than 4:00 on the fourth court day preceding the hearing, personal delivery near the deadline, opposition no later than one (1) court day before when a shorter period of notice is required, and memoranda of points and authorities (3.1.1 to 3.1.4); courtesy copies of memoranda in unlimited civil cases, and separate statements e-mailed in Word format to researchattorney@madera.courts.ca.gov (3.1.5); motions presented in writing (3.1.6); hearing dates requested from the Calendar Clerk, the law and motion calendar called at 8:30 a.m., notice of a continuance by 4:30 p.m. of the second court day preceding hearing, and motions in limine filed no later than 10 court days and oppositions five (5) court days before the first day of trial (3.2.1 to 3.2.6); objections to discovery quoting the request, minute orders, judgments signed as presented if no objection within ten (10) days, notice of ruling within ten (10) court days, real property judgments with the full legal description, and judicial notice requests (3.3.1 to 3.3.4); class actions governed by Rule 23 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure (3.3.5); tentative rulings not routinely issued - when the court intends to issue one, the parties notified, the ruling sent by email or fax and available by calling 559-416-5599 by 4:30 p.m. the day before the hearing (3.3.6); case management for general civil cases, the disposition standards - 90% within one (1) year, 98% within 18 months, 100% within two (2) years - and complex cases (3.4.1 to 3.4.6); the case management conference calendared no later than 180 days after the complaint with notice 45 days before, statements on Judicial Council Form CM-110 15 calendar days before, continuances by stipulation not exceeding 15 days, a $20 continuance fee, service of the summons by the first conference, uninsured motorist cases and referral to arbitration (3.5.1 to 3.5.11); case management orders and sanctions (3.6.1 to 3.6.3); the dismissal calendar with 20 days' notice and written objection not less than 5 days before (3.7.1 to 3.7.4); and the Civil Delay Reduction Coordinator (3.8.1)
Madera County Superior Court Local Rules of Court (effective January 1, 2026) — Division 2, Trial Court Rules, Chapters 7 to 12 (CourtCall Telephone Hearings, Settlement Conferences, Continuances, Fax Filing, Civil Active List) (Rules 2.7.1 to 2.12.2)
Division 2, Chapters 7 to 12: telephonic hearings of law and motion matters through CourtCall in Departments 17, 37, 40, 44, and 45 - hearings of no more than 15 minutes without oral testimony or a transcript (2.7.1 and 2.7.2); a separate telephonic appearance calendar, the Request for CourtCall Telephonic Appearance served on all other litigants not less than five (5) court days before the hearing and faxed to the Program Administrator, the fee under rule 3.670 paid to the Program Administrator, checks received not less than five (5) court days before, confirmation not less than three (3) court days before, and check-in during the five (5) minute period before the hearing, a litigant not calling in during it deemed to have failed to appear (2.7.3 to 2.7.8); settlement conferences - the Voluntary Settlement Calendar, the Mandatory Settlement Calendar under rule 3.1380, the persons whose presence is required, settlement statements delivered to the Calendar Clerk no less than five (5) court days before and maintained in a confidential portion of the electronic file for 180 days, discovery completed, demands and offers, sanctions for failure to attend or be prepared, continuances, and notice of settlement with a request for dismissal within 45 days (2.8.1 to 2.8.9); arbitration encouraged, the Arbitration Administrator, a panel of arbitrators, each party disqualifying one (1) arbitrator peremptorily within ten (10) days, and the cost shared equally (2.8.10 to 2.8.13); pretrial matters, short cause cases under Rule 3.735, the settlement conference and case management conference calendars, counsel's duty as to the trial date assigned, and uncontested calendars (2.9.1 to 2.9.4); a firm continuance policy - noticed motion with supporting declarations, good cause for death, illness, unavailability, substitution of trial attorney or change in status, and a $20 continuance fee (2.10.1); continuances of mandatory settlement conferences, trial assignments and trials by noticed hearing before the Presiding Judge, and of law and motion and voluntary settlement conference matters (2.10.2 to 2.10.4); one continuance by the Calendar Clerk to a date within forty-five (45) days in family law defaults, orders to show cause, change of names and adoptions, requests received in writing five (5) calendar days before (2.10.5); fees for fax filings within three (3) days (2.11.1); and the case management conference calendar under Rules 3.721-3.735, short causes set for trial without a settlement conference (2.12.1 and 2.12.2)
Madera County Superior Court Local Rules of Court (effective January 1, 2026) — Division 2, Trial Court Rules, Chapters 1 to 6 (Filing, Record on Appeal, Jury Instructions, Ex Parte Orders, Unlawful Detainer, Small Claims Appeals) (Rules 2.1.1 to 2.6.1)
Division 2, Chapters 1 to 6: notices of deposition not accepted for filing except by court order (2.1.1); a self-represented litigant's name, address and phone number at the top of all filed pleadings, non-attorney court document preparers complying with Business and Professions Code section 6408 and, in family law or probate cases, the Authorization for Non-Attorney Court Document Preparer (Local Form MAD-CIV-019) (2.1.2); the clerk authorized to reject civil, family law, probate, or small claims filings for the case number, the parties' names, the court name, or failing to sign a document (2.1.3); temporary orders presented to the Civil Clerk's office no later than 11:00 a.m. the day immediately preceding the day of the hearing, with specific facts, opposing counsel informed of the request (2.1.4); conformed copies of the stamped pages only, e-mailed copies at no charge (2.1.5); designations of record that set forth the date of each hearing and the date each paper was filed (2.2.1 and 2.2.2); jury instructions from BAJI, CACI, CALJIC and/or CALCRIM provided by counsel or self-represented party at the commencement of the trial (2.3.1 and 2.3.2); ex parte applications - summary denial for failure to follow the rules, any required filing fee paid, the original file of the action, the limitations on granting, the judge to whom an application is presented (civil writs, criminal, juvenile, family law, probate, mental health), the facts that applications for a guardian ad litem, a reduction of undertaking, shortening or extending time, counsel for military personnel, substitute service, money deposited and execution on installment judgments shall state, and a declaration regarding notice in compliance with rules 3.1203 and 3.1204 (2.4.0 to 2.4.6); ex parte applications heard Monday through Friday, beginning at 8:15 a.m. in the designated department (2.4.7); applications for temporary restraining orders without notice (Domestic Violence, Civil Harassment, Elder or Dependent Adult Abuse, Workplace Violence, and Gun Violence) reviewed by a judicial officer the same day or on the next judicial day, a judicial assistant notifying the applicant, the hearing calendared within the time required by law (2.4.9); unlawful detainer notices - a three-day notice to quit or pay rent at least three (3) days and a 30-day notice at least thirty (30) days before filing, their service and filing, service by the sheriff by posting and mailing on a declaration of efforts, and the clerk authorized to reject filings to set a case for trial that do not comply with Judicial Council Form UD-150 (2.5.1); and small claims appeals treated as short cause trials (2.6.1)
Madera County Superior Court Local Rules of Court (effective January 1, 2026) — Division 10, Remote Hearings and Appearances (Including Domestic Violence and Gun Violence Hearings) (Rules 10.1.1 to 10.1.5)
Division 10: remote hearings and appearances under California law and the California Rules of Court on the platform at the discretion of the court, a party or a witness may appear remotely at the hearing on a petition for a domestic violence restraining order or a gun violence restraining order, with instructions and a dedicated telephone number posted on the court's website (10.1.1 to 10.1.5)
Madera County Superior Court Local Rules of Court (effective January 1, 2026) — Division 1, Court Organization and General Provisions (Rules 1.1.1 to 1.11.1)
Division 1: the latest General Calendar ascertained from the Calendar Clerk before noticing any matter, a daily court calendar posted each court day, and case assignments made for all purposes pursuant to Rule 3.734 of the California Rules of Court (1.1.1 and 1.1.2); the short title Madera County Superior Court (1.1.4); the rules adopted under Government Code § 68070 and Code of Civil Procedure §§ 128 and 187, effective January 1, 2026, superseding previous local rules (1.2.1 and 1.2.2); their construction, definitions and severability (1.2.3 to 1.2.5); the duties of the Presiding Judge (1.3.1); eleven departments - Departments 17, 21, 22, 23, 29, 36, 37, 40, 44, 45, and a Temporary Remote Department - and three divisions, the Juvenile Division, the Criminal Division, and the Probate-Civil Division (1.3.2); the matters each division hears and the trial confirmation (1.3.3 to 1.3.6); one district, and all departments at the Madera County Main Courthouse, 200 South G Street (1.3.7 and 1.3.12); a court reporter mandatory for felony criminal, juvenile, LPS, family court matters where a court reporter is required, and cases pursuant to Jameson v. Desta, reporters for non-mandatory proceedings not guaranteed, and limited civil, misdemeanor traffic, and infraction matters electronically recorded when an official court reporter is not available (1.4.1); no court reporting services for court or jury trials in civil proceedings, and for civil hearings with official reporting the parties' pro rata deposits - one-half day for a hearing of more than one (1) hour but not more than four (4) hours, $30.00 under one hour, a full day over four hours - due when the hearing is scheduled, the receipt shown to the Judge's Clerk (1.4.2); the Court retains the original of an ordered transcript (1.4.3); interpreters at no cost in all court proceedings to the extent required by state and federal laws, in civil, family law, probate, or small claims cases requested on local form MAD-INT-001 or Judicial Council Form INT-300 to the clerk's office or the Interpreter Coordinator at interpreter.madera@madera.courts.ca.gov with a minimum of ten (10) court days notice, notice that an interpreter is not needed at least two (2) court days before the hearing, private interpreters qualified under Government Code §68561 and §68566, and for an indigenous language interpreter the language variant communicated to the interpreter coordinator no less than five (5) court days before any hearing, failure to comply may result in monetary sanctions under section 177.5 (1.4.4); the Court Executive Officer as the Clerk of the Superior Court (1.5.1); attorney fees in cases of minors or incompetent persons - 25%, 33 1/3% and 40% of the amount recovered (1.6.1 to 1.6.3); the default judgment attorney fee schedule for promissory notes, contracts, book accounts and foreclosures, from 15% with a minimum fee of $75 to $2,690 plus 1% of the excess over $100,000, increased by ten percent (10%) for a mortgage or trust deed foreclosure, and additional fees on a proposed order and itemized declaration (1.6.4); court-appointed counsel at a flat rate of $80 per hour (1.6.5); investigators and experts at $50.00/hr and $850.00 per exam & report, the No Show rate $150.00 (1.6.6 and 1.6.7); fee claims within ten days after the case has been completed, submitted to the Finance Division, and reimbursement orders after a hearing (1.6.8 to 1.6.11); jury venue (1.7.1 to 1.7.3); attorneys responsible for fees for the services they order, copies at fifty cents ($.50) per page, forms and packets at $0.50 per page (1-25), $16.00 (26-40) and $20.00 (41+), and initial fee waivers granted by the Clerk (1.8.1 to 1.8.4); a fee of $1.00 per page for copies of the record when the court file is the record on appeal (1.9.1); photographing, recording or broadcasting in court only under a judge's order under rule 1.150 or, outside the courtroom, in a designated media area or with prior written permission from the Presiding Judge, and media requests on Judicial Council form MC-500 (1.10.1); body-worn cameras in the courthouse only for an arrest, an emergency, an individual not complying with a command or with authorization from the Presiding Judge (1.10.2); and no personal identifying information confirmed by telephone or email - a file search in person, form MAD-GEN-001, or identity verification for portal access under rule 2.515 (1.11.1)
Madera County Superior Court — Fifty-Second General Order: Remote Appearances in Civil Proceedings
Fifty-Second General Order of the Madera County Superior Court (effective July 1, 2023), issued after Governor Newsom signed Senate Bill (SB) 133 on June 30, 2023, which among other items authorizes remote appearances in civil proceedings through December 31, 2025: the order supersedes the remote appearance provisions for civil proceedings in all previous General Orders, including related provisions outlined in the 31st, 39th, 45th, and 47th General Orders; remote appearances in civil proceedings are governed by SB 133; and any provisions of the 47th and 51st General Orders not amended by it remain in effect.
Madera County Superior Court — Forty-Seventh General Order: The Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic & the Continuing Impacts to Court Operations
Forty-Seventh General Order (effective July 1, 2022 and continuing until further notice; superseding the court's Forty-Fifth (45th) General Order after Assembly Bill 199, signed June 30, 2022, authorized remote criminal proceedings): the provisions of the 31st General Order rescinded, with notations - the 2022 Felony Bail Schedule in effect until subsequent Bail Schedules; pandemic social distancing no longer required; the indoor masking requirement lifted with the 42nd General Order; symptom screening questions about COVID-19 for all persons entering the courthouse, no one ill with symptoms of COVID-19 to appear, and those who are ill to contact the court; no changes to the noted calendars; the 39th General Order and SB 241 governing appearances in civil, family law and family support proceedings and oral arguments in the appellate department; in-custody defendants transported from CDCR or the Madera County Jail unless otherwise ordered; members of the public viewing criminal proceedings in-person or via Zoom; the self-help office open to the public with in-person appointments; the 40th General Order governing application submissions for ex parte relief; Family Court Services mediation services and investigative interviews conducted telephonically unless in-person is ordered (in-person child interviews excepted), and conservatorship investigations by video interview under section 1851 (a)(1) of the Probate Code; and criminal proceedings with the time for trial under Penal Code section 1382 not waived continued for good cause. Criminal remote appearances governed by Penal Code §977, §977.2, §977.3, §1043.5 and §1428.5 - the public appearing via Zoom or another approved platform, out-of-custody defendants not appearing remotely for arraignments, in-custody arraignments continuing by Zoom or other approved video conferencing, and Zoom links for witnesses directed by the court; each judicial officer retaining discretion to deviate upon a finding of good cause.
Madera County Superior Court — Traffic Court & eDelivery in Traffic Cases
Parking tickets, traffic infractions and misdemeanors (the Traffic Division) and felony violations (the Main Courthouse); electronic filing through electronic delivery (including e-mail) of documents in Traffic cases; traffic school - eligibility (no traffic school within 18 months, no more than one point under VC 12810 or one and one-half point under VC 12810.5(b)(2), not alcohol or drug related, not VC 22406.5, a valid driver's license), one check for the total bail plus the $74.00 traffic violator school fee (42007(a) VC), ability-to-pay requests by an appearance for arraignment, payment plans from the Traffic Clerk, completion certificates received electronically within 90 days from the post mark of the request, fees non-refundable, online certificates from courses approved by the California Traffic Safety Institute; trials - a Court Trial or a Trial by Declaration, requested in person or by mail by a plea of "not guilty"; an Interpreter requested from the Traffic Division at least one week before the hearing; fees and fines according to statute and the Judicial Council's Uniform Bail and Penalty Schedule; window hours 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM and a drop box from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM.
Madera County Superior Court — Standing Pre Trial Orders for Department 44 & Department 45
The order for all trials in Department 44 and Department 45 unless changed by the assigned trial judge: jury trials and long cause court trials calendared to commence on Mondays at 9:30 a.m., with a Trial Management Conference at 9:30 a.m. that Monday; long cause court trials commencing immediately after it, jury selection at 9:30 am on the Tuesday following, hardships first conducted by the Jury Commissioner under CRC 2.1008(b); in jury trials trial briefs and motions in limine due fourteen (14) days before trial and oppositions seven (7) days before, in court (bench) trials trial briefs due fourteen (14) days before and no motions in limine absent a prior court order; the parties to meet and confer on exhibits no later than one week before trial; at the Trial Management Conference the original discovery, pre-marked exhibits in separate binders (one for the clerk, one for the witness, and the original for the trial judge), exhibit lists and witness lists, and for jury trials a neutral statement of the case, verdict forms and complete jury instructions (not simply CACI, BAJI, or CALCRIM numbers); the topics discussed at the conference; no court reporting services for Civil court or jury trials, the parties providing court reporter services at their own expense if a record is desired, except as modified by L.R. 1.4.1, General Order No: 2026.03 and Family Violence Appellate Project v. Superior Court (2026) 20 Cal.5th 564, court reporters personally present in court; and a copy of these trial policies provided to all parties at the Mandatory Settlement Conference.
Madera County Superior Court — Small Claims Court
Claims of less than $12,500 (or up to $6,250 for a business); forms on the California Courts Website, among them the Plaintiff's Claim and Order to Defendant, Form SC-100 and the Proof of Service Form, SC-104; the general procedure (filing, service by anyone over 18 years of age except the plaintiff or by mail through the court, the hearing and the judge's decision, which can be appealed); the Small Claims Department in the Civil Division at the Main Courthouse, window hours 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM and a drop box from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM; cases set on the calendar at 9:00 AM on Fridays at the Main Courthouse in Department 44 or Department 45.
Madera County Superior Court — Probate Court
Probate petitions, guardianship, conservatorship, termination of joint tenancy, real property of small value and petitions to establish fact of birth, death, or marriage; a Probate Guardianship or Probate Conservatorship Investigation conducted through the Family Court Services; filing questions to the Civil Division at (559) 416-5525; Local Procedures and Notes - ex-parte hearings heard in Department 37, Department 40, Department 44 or Department 45 Monday-Friday at 8:15 AM, documents along with the 24-hour Notice or Non-notice Declaration submitted no later than 10:00 a.m. prior to the court date; all documents to be filed two (2) days prior to the court date; no Probate Examiner on staff; the Probate Department in the Civil Division at the Main Courthouse, window hours 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM, a drop box from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM; tentative calendar dates from the Civil Division between 8:00 AM and 3:00 PM.
Madera County Superior Court — Pay Traffic Ticket or Request a Fine Reduction
Payments online at Madera.epay-it.com (an additional fee applies), in person Mon-Fri from 8 AM – 4 PM at the lobby windows or by mail to the Madera Superior Court Traffic Division, 200 South "G" Street, Madera, CA 93637, personal checks pre-printed with the Defendant's name and address, payable to "Madera Superior Court", with the case number; financial hardship - an appearance for arraignment without the deposit of bail, or the MyCitations - Ability to Pay Tool; collections through the Franchise Tax Board and Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson, LLP (Linebarger); the typical case (courtesy notice, payment, Trial by Declaration or Court Trial, traffic school at the fine plus $74.00); a civil assessment up to $300.00 pursuant to PC 1214.1(a) on referral to collections; license suspension under VC40508(a); partial payments with a $50.00 administrative fee per VC 40510.5; forfeiting bail reported to DMV as a conviction; prior convictions within three years - a penalty enhancement pursuant to VC4200 and VC40508.6; proof of correction signed off by a law enforcement agency or DMV and returned with the fees.
Madera County Superior Court — Pay Fines & Fees (Including MyCitations Tool)
Juvenile Court, Civil/Family Law Court, Traffic Court, and Criminal Payments in person Mon-Fri from 8 AM – 3 PM (no cash in the drop box; cash, personal checks, cashier's checks, money orders, debit and credit cards), online (Pay Now Online), or by mail payable to "Madera Superior Court" at the division's address, 200 South "G" Street; for juvenile matters only NSF fees can be paid through the online system; financial hardship - the "MyCitations - Ability to Pay Tool" to request a payment plan, more time to pay, or community service for traffic and other infractions.