Merced County, CA
All 53 county-scoped rules
Every published instrument scoped to Merced County, newest effective date first. 11 circuit-wide and 1,704 statewide instruments also apply here — search all three layers together. Procedural information only; not legal advice.
Published rules, newest effective date first
Showing 1–50 of 53 · page 1 of 2
Merced County Superior Court — Standing Order 2026-2 — Rules Governing Custody And Visitation Issues
Standing Order #2026-2 (effective September 14, 2026), Rule 410: Rules Governing Custody and Visitation Issues - modifying Local Rule 410's Child Custody Recommending Counseling (CCRC) appointments: all CCRC appointments for designated parties held in person at the Charles James Ogletree Jr. Courthouse unless otherwise ordered by the court, and the parties no longer contacted the day prior to the appointment for a reminder.
Merced County Superior Court Local Rules of Court (effective July 1, 2026) — Access to Juvenile Court Records; Court Appointed Special Advocates Program; Court Appointed Special Advocates; Filing and Distribution of CASA Court Reports; Representation in Juvenile Proceedings (Rules 200 to 202)
Rules 200 to 202: no juvenile case file obtained by civil or criminal subpoena, persons entitled to inspect a file without a court order presenting identification and file mandatory local form MSC-JV-002 Declaration for Access to Juvenile Case File, others petitioning on form JV-570 (an intentional violation of section 827 punishable by a fine of up to $500.00), delinquency records available for public inspection where a petition was sustained for an offense listed in section 676(a), petitions to prohibit disclosure, JV-570 and JV-575 filed where the records are maintained, and court reporter's transcripts requested on mandatory local form MSC-JV-001 (200); CASA volunteers appointed on behalf of children only in dependency proceedings and their functions, a CASA appointed to serve as guardian ad litem under section 326.5 when a child would not benefit from the appointment of counsel (201); a CASA an officer of the Court, sworn in by a Superior Court Judge before beginning their duties, the duties delineated in the order of appointment, no appeal from the Court's decision to appoint or remove a CASA, cases referred to the CASA program and the criteria for referral, a CASA a mandated child abuse reporter, the CASA's right to timely notice and to appear, calendar priority, and confidential records and personnel files (201.1); CASA reports filed and served at least ten (10) calendar days before each of the following hearings - continued dispositional hearings and the review, permanency, and selection and implementation hearings - five (5) calendar days before special hearings and two (2) Court days before a jurisdictional hearing, copies only to parties and their counsel, copied and distributed by CASA of Merced County staff (201.2); and children in dependency matters represented by the court's contracted counsel, minors in juvenile justice proceedings referred to the Merced County Public Defender's Office or contracted conflict counsel, and parents represented by Dependency Administration of Merced County, LLC (DAMC), the minimum training - eight (8) hours of dependency training or six (6) months of experience, and 12 hours of juvenile justice training in the most recent 12-month period or 50 percent of a practice - children four (4) years of age or older interviewed in person, a declaration of eligibility filed and approved before March 31 of each calendar year (Judicial Council form JV-700 in juvenile justice, local form MSC-JV-010 in dependency), and complaints about appointed counsel made orally or in writing (202)
Merced County Superior Court Local Rules of Court (effective July 1, 2026) — Appellate Division; Electronic Recording on Appeal (Rules 500 and 500.1)
Rules 500 and 500.1: regular sessions of the Appellate Division on the fourth Monday of each month at 1:15 p.m. (the third Monday when the fourth falls on a holiday) and special sessions at the call of its Presiding Judge (500(A)); appeals placed on the calendar for a session when the last reply brief was filed, or the time for filing it expired, forty-five (45) or more days before it (500(B)); the briefing schedule mailed on the filing of the record, briefs under rules 8.882(e), 8.883, 8.927(c) and 8.928, and three (3) legible copies deposited with the Clerk (500(C)); motions under rule 8.808, a hearing held only if the Court determines one is needed (500(D)); ten (10) minutes of oral argument for each party, the appellate or moving party opening and closing (500(E)); the original trial Court file the record on all appellate matters in civil, misdemeanor and infraction cases (500(F)); petitions for writ of mandate or prohibition served on all real parties and respondents and filed with the proof of service, the court denying the petition, requesting opposition, or issuing an alternative writ, an order to show cause or a peremptory writ on at least 10 days' notice, an opposition within 5 calendar days (500(G)); an appellant in a misdemeanor or traffic infraction matter electing the official electronic recording as the record, the District Attorney's Office stipulating to it in all Traffic Court appeals until March 31, 2027 (500.1(A)); a judicial officer ordering the recording transmitted without being transcribed in a limited civil, misdemeanor or infraction case (500.1(B)); traffic infraction appeals on the recording without being transcribed (500.1(C)); and no transcripts of official electronic recordings, the recording transmitted for an indigent appellant, and the cost of a transcript borne by an appellant who is not indigent (500.1(D))
Merced County Superior Court Local Rules of Court (effective July 1, 2026) — Civil Rules; Civil Jury Trials; Civil Jury Instructions (Rules 3 to 4.1)
Rules 3 to 4.1: a party waiving the right to appear at a Law and Motion hearing by written notice of intent not to appear, the Court considering the documents filed (3.1(A)); a failure to file a Memorandum of Points and Authorities a waiver and, for the moving party, an admission that the motion is without merit (3.1(B)); attachments and exhibits under rules 3.1110 and 3.1113 (3.1(C)); no oral testimony at a law and motion hearing except by order of the Court for good cause shown (3.1(D)); tentative rulings by telephone at 209-725-4240 and on the Court's website no later than 3:00 p.m. on the Court day preceding the hearing, oral argument only if a party notifies all other parties and the Court by telephone by 4:00 p.m. on the Court day before the hearing (3.1(E)); the prevailing party preparing the order after hearing, the other party preparing it after ten (10) days (3.1(F)); civil exhibits disposed of under Code of Civil Procedure sections 1952-1952.3 (3.1(G)); the application and supporting papers for an ex parte order to the clerk for filing no later than 2:00 p.m. on the Court day preceding the hearing, heard at 1:15 p.m. each court day in the Civil Law and Motion courtroom and the Robert Falasco Justice Center in Los Banos, the forms for civil harassment, elder or dependent adult abuse, gun violence, workplace violence and school violence restraining orders (CH-100, EA-100, GV-100, WV-100, SV-100), a decision on a temporary order within 1-2 business days, and personal service on the respondent at least five (5) days before the hearing (3.1(H)); administrative records lodged in an electronic format, records of 25mb or less e-filed and larger records on USB, CD or DVD (3.2); local summary judgment rules preempted by Rules 3.1350-3.1354 of the California Rules of Court (3.3); attorney's fees upon default judgment of 20% or $400.00 whichever is greater on the first $5,000.00 of principal, 10% on the next $20,000.00, 5% on the next $25,000.00, 2% on the next $50,000.00 and 1% on principal amounts in excess of $100,000.00, increased by 10% in a foreclosure, and $400.00 in a residential unlawful detainer (3.4); a Case Management Statement (CM-110) filed no later than 15 calendar days before the conference, the parties to meet and confer no later than 30 calendar days before, the Notice of Inclusion in Delay Reduction Program/Notice of Case Management Conference served with the complaint, the conference held no later than 150 days after the filing of the initial pleading, a trial date in the twelfth (12th) month and a mandatory settlement conference in the eleventh (11th) month following the filing of the complaint, pre-trial conferences only on a declaration at the conference, a $25.00 sanction for a late statement, and cases assigned to one courtroom for all purposes (3.5); settlement conferences set at the Case Management Conference, not photographed or recorded except by court order, attended personally by trial counsel, parties and persons with full authority to settle (an insurer without claims offices within California immediately available by telephone), statements on Local Form MSC-CV-051 filed and served at least five (5) court days before ($100.00 sanction), sanctions for a failure to appear, immediate written notice of a settlement and a request for dismissal within forty-five (45) days (3.6); complaints about court-program mediators under rule 3.868 - inquiries and written complaints to the complaint coordinator, a preliminary review, an investigator or complaint committee appointed by the Presiding Judge, and the Presiding Judge's decision within thirty days (30) (3.7); a notice of stay filed with the order showing the stay (3.8); jury fees deposited under Code of Civil Procedure section 631, a failure to deposit a waiver of trial by jury, not less than $125.00 per panel meal advanced, no jury trials in the week of the Thanksgiving or Christmas holiday, motions in limine on collateral source, insurance coverage and offers to settle deemed granted, other motions in limine filed and served by 4:00 p.m. six (6) Court days before the trial call and opposition three (3) Court days before, numbered in the form prescribed, and expedited jury trials under section 630.01 (4); and instructions promulgated by the California Judicial Council, requested instructions served and delivered at the commencement of trial, one instruction per page with a five-inch margin at the top, in standard CACI format (4.1)
Merced County Superior Court Local Rules of Court (effective July 1, 2026) — Court Organization; Court Security; Court Attire; Sexual Harassment; Custody of Exhibits; Definitions (Rules 1 to 1.6)
Rules 1 to 1.6: the rules known and cited as the Local Rules for the Superior Court of California, County of Merced, the Presiding Judge and Assistant Presiding Judge selected by a majority secret vote for a two-year term commencing January 1st, the Presiding Judge's duties including Issuing Standing Orders, an Executive Committee of at least three (3) judges, the Court Executive Officer, and the Superior Court Commissioners with the powers of Code of Civil Procedure section 259 (1); sessions heard in two districts - the Merced District, and the West County District (the courthouse located in Los Banos, zip codes 95322, 95374, 93620, 93635 and 93665) - actions heard in the district in which they arose, and contested probate, conservatorships, guardianships, juvenile dependency, civil case management, mandatory settlement conferences, jury trials, adoptions and drug court heard only in the Merced District (1); all Juvenile Justice proceedings at the Juvenile Division in the Iris Garrett Justice Correctional Complex (JJCC) at 2840 W. Sandy Mush Road (1); courthouses open for judicial business from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. on all court days (1); the calendars accessed at (209) 725-4100 or on the website, the parties checking the availability of a calendar before requesting that a matter be set (1); a direct calendar system, the assigned judge reflected on the first paper filed (1); court reporting services scheduled for all felony criminal proceedings and all juvenile proceedings, family law, small claims, civil, trials de novo, misdemeanors, traffic and expedited jury trials not reported, the electronic recording system the official reporting service for infractions (copies requested on Form MCS-AD-010), an official pro tempore reporter arranged and paid for by a party, a statement filed before the Case Management Conference date requesting an official court reporter, the $30 fee of Government Code section 68086 for each non-criminal proceeding lasting one hour or less, $225.00 for a half day and $450.00 for a full day, daily transcripts requested in writing at least two weeks in advance of trial, the family law reporter fees and refunds, and for parties with fee waivers limited civil proceedings electronically recorded on request and an official court reporter on request in unlimited civil and family law proceedings (1); interpreters at no cost in criminal, juvenile, domestic violence and elder abuse hearings and, within existing funding restrictions and staff availability, in family law and child support cases and family court services, with incidental use in civil courtrooms (the Limited English Proficiency (LEP) Plan) (1); a judicial day of vacation defined (1); cursory searches of all persons entering the courthouse, the right to decline a search on condition of leaving the courthouse, no firearms or other weapons in the Court buildings except for persons charged with security and on-duty peace officers, no weapon in the courtroom in a civil, family law, or probate matter, and law enforcement body-worn cameras not activated inside any courthouse facilities (1.2); no person appearing in court without a shirt, barefoot, or wearing a tank top (1.3); persons who perceive or witness sexual harassment notifying the Court Executive Officer (1.4); no exhibit taken from the clerk's office or courtroom (1.5); and the words Clerk (the Clerk of the Court or any deputy clerk) and Judicial Officer defined (1.6)
Merced County Superior Court Local Rules of Court (effective July 1, 2026) — Criminal Rules (Rule 16)
Rule 16: criminal cases assigned to one Judge for all purposes, from arraignment on the complaint through trial and sentencing, the assigned judge reflected on the first paper filed (16(A)); a petition for writ of habeas corpus filed only with a complete copy (16(B)); discovery under Penal Code Sections 1054-1054.9 (16(C)); a list of CALCRIM instructions filed on the first day of trial (16(D)); the Felony Bail Schedule the Judges adopt, accessed at www.merced.courts.ca.gov (16(E)); a notice of motion under Penal Code Section 1538.5 listing the evidence, the theories and the authorities (16(F)); pretrial motions served and filed at least ten (10) court days, opposition five (5) court days and reply two (2) court days before the hearing, proof of service filed five (5) court days before, a memorandum of no more than fifteen (15) pages unless an ex-parte application to exceed it is filed two (2) days before, sanctions, and a courtesy copy to the court (16(G)); a defendant in custody suitably dressed for trial (16(H)); a subsequent motion for release on own recognizance or bail modification disclosing the prior motion (16(I)); a transcript of a sound recording served at least ten (10) court days before a felony trial and three (3) court days before a misdemeanor trial, differing versions not resolved by the parties alerted to the Judge at the trial readiness conference, certified transcripts, and the party's own technical assistance or the Court's form at least two (2) Court days before (16(J)); permission before dangerous, hazardous, large or bulky exhibits are brought into the courthouse, exhibits sealed and tagged, firearms secured by a nylon tie or trigger guard, and cash identified by denomination (16(K)); inmate pass requests on the Court's form (16(L)); no exhibit destroyed before the final determination of the action, the parties noticed not less than fifteen (15) days before a disposition, and exhibits returned to the District Attorney or to the Sheriff (16(M)); case calendar requests in person at the Clerk's office and a $75.00 fee if the defendant fails to appear on the date requested (16(N)); exhibits of more than one page numbered sequentially or Bates labeled (16(O)); and written pre-approval for court funding of an expert, investigator or other ancillary services, on a declaration stating the service, a curriculum vitae, prior approvals, the hourly rate, the total amount sought, the case's history and why the funds are reasonably necessary (16(P))
Merced County Superior Court Local Rules of Court (effective July 1, 2026) — Family Law (Rules 400 to 419)
Rules 400 to 419: family law cases managed to focus on settlement at the earliest possible date, the rules guidelines to which the Court will generally adhere (400); the matters assigned to the Family Law Division - the California Family Code (local child support agency cases included), the Uniform Divorce Recognition Act, the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction Act, the Uniform Parentage Act, the Domestic Violence Prevention Act, UIFSA actions, post-dissolution omitted or reserved property, consolidated non-marital property actions without a jury demand, and mediation proceedings in guardianship actions (401); family law filings accepted at the Los Banos Courthouse commencing January 2017, cases of persons living in the Los Banos area heard at the litigants' choice in Courtroom 13, short cause matters of no more than fifteen (15) minutes on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Fridays at 8:30 a.m. or on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays at 1:30 p.m. in Courtroom 7 and on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 8:45 a.m. in Courtroom 13, long cause matters on Thursdays at 8:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. in Courtroom 7, case management and settlement conferences on Mondays at 11:00 a.m., trial setting conferences on Mondays, short cause domestic violence cases on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 9:30 a.m. in Department 4 or 7, and DCSS (Title IV-D) matters in Courtroom 4, Los Banos cases heard by video on the second and fourth Tuesday (402); a moving party's failure to be present at the calendar call removing the matter from the calendar, and a responding party's failure to appear (407); telephone appearances: refer to Rule 2.2 (408); child custody evaluations with a Recommended Custody and Visitation Order, an RFO for custody or visitation filed with form FL-105 and assigned a Child Custody Recommending Counseling (CCRC) date and a further hearing date unless the parties attended CCRC within six (6) months, the CCRC orientation video viewed on-line in English and Spanish, the completed CCRC Form (MSC-FL-036) with the moving papers and a blank Intake Form served, a Proof of Service filed before the CCRC appointment, CCRC appointments held via Zoom video/phone and child interviews in person unless otherwise ordered, parties contacted one (1) business day before to remind them, an agreement adopted by the Court or a recommendation with a confidential rationale available one (1) week before the further hearing, and the standard orders of local form #MSC-FL-047 (410(A)); private custody evaluations under the Order Appointing Child Custody Evaluator (FL-327), each party responsible for half of the cost unless the Court specifies otherwise, and objections within twenty (20) days (plus 5 days for mailing) (410(B)); minor's counsel under Family Code Section 3150 (410(C)); no peremptory challenge to a CCRC and a challenge for good cause on local form MSC-FL-021 (410(D)); the CCRC's ex parte requests (410(E)); complaints about a CCRC in writing to the Court Executive Officer and an appeal to the Family Court Judge (410(F)); supervised visitation providers under Standard 5.20, filing form FL-324(P) or FL- 324(NP) (410(G)); ex parte requests under rule 5.151 reviewed within 1 to 2 court days, the filing fee paid, local form MSC-FL-023 or Judicial Council Form FL-303 filed, notice given by 10:00 a.m. the day preceding, a specific declaration, and a duty to disclose a change of status quo (411); an ex parte change of custody supported by a declaration of clear, specific allegations (413); a current Income and Expense Declaration (FL-150) executed within three months, with the last three pay stubs or the other supporting documentation to verify income (415); child support orders subject to the standard orders of local form #MSC-FL-025 (416); peremptory challenges under section 170.6, a meet and confer before every hearing except matters involving domestic violence, and documents provided before the hearing (417); settlement conferences attended personally, a meeting or exchange of written settlement proposals before, and settlement conference statements filed and served at least ten (10) days before (418); and exhibit lists, witness lists, expert witness declarations and trial briefs served and filed fourteen (14) days before trial, appearances in person unless the Court approves a remote appearance under rule 3.672 (exhibits lodged two (2) court days before), and electronic evidence under Rule 2.5 (419)
Merced County Superior Court Local Rules of Court (effective July 1, 2026) — Filing Procedures; Photographing, Recording, Broadcasting and Other Electronic Devices; Remote Appearances; Toxic, Hazardous Materials, and Firearms; Domestic Violence Protocol; Uniform Instructions for Presentation of Electronic Exhibits; Court File Retrievals and Viewing (Rules 2 to 2.6)
Rules 2 to 2.6: papers necessary to a hearing in default cases, probate matters, adoptions, compromise claims of minors and the other matters listed filed on the third court day preceding the hearing, no hearing set in a default or uncontested matter until all requisite pleadings and documents are filed, signed orders filed immediately in the clerk's office, fee waivers under California Rules of Court, rules 3.50-3.58, mandatory electronic filing in limited, unlimited, and complex civil actions and in non-DCSS family law and probate matters (self-represented parties exempt), e-filing available for subsequent filings in criminal matters, an approved electronic filing service provider, documents subject to mandatory electronic filing filed prior to midnight deemed filed that day but filed by 5 p.m. when same day service is required, signatures under rule 2.257, fee waiver applications filed electronically, the original documents that may not be filed electronically (civil bench warrants, subpoenaed documents, bonds, undertakings and original wills/codicils), sealed documents filed conventionally, and the filer responsible for redacting personal identifiers (2); photographing and recording strictly prohibited in any court or court related facility absent written order from the Presiding Judge, recording equipment and electronic devices in the courtroom only with advanced permission of the Judge, no camera operators blocking corridors, no cell phone cameras copying court documents in the Clerk's offices, ceremonial events excepted, and media requests under California Rules of Court, Rule 1.150, the clerk noticing the attorneys of record by e-mail (2.1); one remote appearance platform, Zoom, at no cost, remote appearances in contested hearings by video, no recording or re-broadcasting, remote access credentials not disclosed, in non-criminal proceedings (civil, small claims, family law, probate, juvenile justice and juvenile dependency) notice under California Rule of Court 3.672 and Civil Code of Procedure section 367.75, an in-person appearance presumed unless a remote appearance is requested, no remote appearance where the tentative ruling or probate notes require a personal appearance, trials or evidentiary hearings conducted remotely on a judicial officer's own motion, arrangements for Courtroom 7 and 13 made before the hearing, no party required to appear remotely in a juvenile dependency matter and a witness appearing remotely only with the consent of all parties, remote appearances in criminal proceedings (traffic, misdemeanor and felony) for good cause only, requested from the clerk's office at least two (2) business days in advance, and juvenile justice proceedings in person unless permitted, a minor appearing remotely on expressly waiving the right to be physically present, with notice at least two (2) business days in advance and the approval of the presiding judge of the juvenile court (2.2); a written statement before bringing toxic, hazardous or potentially hazardous materials into the courtroom, the Clerk storing such evidence pending the final determination of the action (Penal Code Section 1417.1), and no firearm handled in the courtroom unless checked by the bailiff with a gunlock attached (2.3); the domestic violence protocol under Penal Code 136.2 and California Rule of Court 5.445 - the Criminal Court inquiring about the children and other orders, a copy of the Criminal Protective Order to the victim, modification requested on local form MSC-CR-030 Request for Hearing on Protective Order Modification served at least five (5) days before the hearing, the Family, Juvenile, and Probate Courts reviewing court records for existing orders before issuing permanent CLETS Civil Restraining Orders, and specific language for the safe exchange of the children (2.4); no technical assistance from the court for electronic exhibits, static digital images submitted in both electronic and printed format, the presenting party's own equipment, local form #MSC-AD-011, Court Audio-Video Equipment Request Form two (2) court days before, and the court authorized electronic evidence formats (2.5); and the Court's public portal searched for case numbers, no retrieval fee for files viewed at the courthouse, and search fees after 10 minutes per day requested on Local Form Record/Search/Copy Requests MSC-RR-001 (2.6)
Merced County Superior Court Local Rules of Court (effective July 1, 2026) — Probate Rules; Petition for Approval of Minor's Compromise (Rules 100 and 101)
Rules 100 and 101: the Probate Department a court of general jurisdiction under Probate Code § 800 with concurrent jurisdiction over Probate-Related Civil Matters (100); uncontested probate hearings and matters of ten (10) minutes or less set in Merced at 8:15 a.m. on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, hearings likely to exceed ten (10) minutes at 1:30 p.m. on a Monday or Wednesday, and Los Banos probate hearings at 8:30 a.m. Monday through Friday (100(A)); the local general and civil law and motion rules applying to probate proceedings (100(B)); no Probate Commissioner, appearances required on petitions for appointment of conservators and/or guardians, confirmations of sale and petitions with objections, and “See rule 3.1(E) for telephone appearances” (100(C)); the Judicial Council probate forms mandatory (100(D)); the moving party to submit proposed orders at least three (3) Court days before the hearing, with its date, time and department (100(E)); a written consent to serve and an Acknowledgement of Receipt of Judicial Council Form “Duties and Liabilities of Personal Representative” (Form DE – 147) before letters issue (100(F)); all persons named in a will listed, good faith efforts to locate heirs declared, the trustee of a living trust noticed, and the moving party responsible for all mailings and newspaper publications (100(G)); the last vesting deed with spousal property petitions (100(H)); a defective mailing continued and a defective publication taken off calendar (100(I)); bonds under Probate Code sections 10453 and 8481 and an insufficient bond increased on an ex parte application (100(J)); creditor's claims filed with the Clerk's office and their disposition reported on the Judicial Council “Allowance or Rejection of Creditor’s Claim” form, the claims of the personal representative or the attorney submitted to the Court for approval (100(K)); the Probate Examiner's Notes on the court's website, updates typically posted 2 days before the hearing by 3:00 pm, documents to cure a technical defect filed a minimum of 3 court days before, a non-appearance on a case recommended for approval deemed a submission on the recommendation, and parties intending to appear notifying all other parties and calling (209) 725-4240 by 4:00 pm on the court day before (100(L)); medical records submitted redacted with an unredacted copy filed confidentially or with an application to seal (100(M)); a verified petition for approval of a minor's compromise with a full disclosure of all relevant information, confidential records filed as Rule 100 directs (101(A)); the attorney's disclosures (101(B)); the person compromising the claim and the minor attending the hearing (101(C)); witnesses, including the treating physician (101(D)); and withdrawals from blocked accounts ex parte or on a hearing (101(E))
Merced County Superior Court Local Rules of Court (effective July 1, 2026) — Traffic Rules (Rule 17)
Rule 17: trial by declaration on a Vehicle Code infraction under Vehicle Code Section 40902, a trial de novo requested no later than twenty (20) days from the date of mailing of the original decision (17(A)); a failure to appear deemed an election for trial by written declaration under Vehicle Code section 40903, and the Courtesy Notice, the second FTA/Pay notice and the final notice warning of civil assessments of up to one hundred dollars ($100), referral for debt collection and referral to the Court Collections Division (17(B)); proof of correction accepted by the Clerk with the $25.00 proof of correction fee - correctable citations, tinted windows, no proof of insurance, and a driver's license or vehicle registration valid at the time of the citation or obtained after it - and Veh. Code § 24004 and § 24002(a) moving violations not correctable (17(C)); no not guilty plea on a misdemeanor citation through the mail or over the counter (17(D)); bail for a trial by declaration placed in trust (17(E)); one change of proceeding type between a Court Trial and a Trial by Declaration, additional changes with judicial approval (17(G)); traffic school granted by the Clerk if the defendant is eligible, judicial approval for more than three (3) infractions or one (1) misdemeanor in the last two years, out-of-state driver licenses, the fee not converted to community service, and requests up to six (6) months after bail is forfeited and paid in full (17(H)); one 30-day extension and one 45-day traffic school extension granted by the Clerk without judicial approval (17(I)); payment plans set up by the Clerk (17(J)); community service for minors, the minor appearing on the 1st Thursday of each month at 1:30 p.m., fines converted at double the minimum wage (17(K)); and motions and petitions filed in the Traffic Department in Merced or the Traffic Division of the Los Banos Clerk's Office, not accepted as a walk-in, set on an arraignment calendar at least one week out in Courtroom 9 in Merced or Courtroom 12 in Los Banos, petitions to reduce or vacate a civil assessment (rule 4.106) by walk-in or remotely by video, and ability-to-pay determinations (rule 4.335) requested in writing on form TR-320 or online (17(L))
Merced County Superior Court — Standing Order 2026-01 — Court Appointed Special Advocates Program
Standing Order #2026-01 (effective March 16, 2026), the Court Appointed Special Advocates Program in juvenile justice: CASA volunteers appointed on behalf of children only in juvenile proceedings and, under Welfare and Institutions Code Sections 600 et seq., for a youth declared as a ward; a CASA an officer of the Court, sworn in before beginning their duties; the specific duties - an independent review, case conferences and team meetings, records reviewed at the Probation Office, contact with the youth at least twice a month, coordination with the Probation Placement Officer, transport of out of custody youth as approved by Probation, a written report to the CASA Advocate Coordinator at least fifteen (15) days before a hearing (filed with the Court at least ten (10) days before), copies to Probation, and immediate mandated reports of suspected abuse; no appeal from the Court's decision to appoint or remove a CASA; the Order of Appointment and its distribution; the priorities for case referral; notice, the right to appear and calendar priority; confidential records (petitions under section 827 on Form JV-570); and CASA reports filed and served at least ten (10) calendar days before hearings and five (5) calendar days before special hearings, copies only to parties and their counsel.
Merced County Superior Court — Standing Order 2025-01 — Electronic Service of Documents by the Court
Standing Order #2025-01 (effective March 3, 2025): electronic service of documents by the court under Code of Civil Procedure section 1010.6(d) (as amended effective July 1, 2024) - each represented party furnishing its E-Service address on first electronically filing any paper (California Rules of Court, Rule 2.251(c)), one E-Service address per party in each case, deemed proper for service; a changed address filed by a notice of change of E-Service address or Judicial Council Form EFS O10 and served on all other parties or their attorneys; and an E-Service address presumed valid while the party files from it and has not given notice that it is no longer valid.
Merced County Superior Court — Standing Order 2024-02 — Setting Aside Certain Outstanding Civil Assessment Debts Imposed For Failure To Appear or Failure To Pay
Standing Order #2024-02 (effective May 21, 2024): after Assembly Bill 199 (the $100 maximum civil assessment from July 1, 2022, under Penal Code section 1214.1), all outstanding debt from civil assessments imposed between July 1, 2022, and June 30, 2023, abolished - judicial discretion to impose civil assessments remaining, subject to ongoing statutory authority.
Merced County Superior Court — Standing Order 2024-01 — Discontinuing the Imposition of Civil Assessments Upon Failure to Appear or Failure to Pay
Standing Order #2024-01 (effective March 21, 2024): Assembly Bill 199 reduced the maximum civil assessment from $300 to $100 effective July 1, 2022 and abolished outstanding civil assessment debt as of June 30, 2022; the court imposed civil assessments of $100 from July 1, 2022 under Penal Code § 1214.1 and discontinued imposing them, in each eligible case of a failure to appear or failure to pay, effective July 1, 2023 - judicial discretion to impose a civil assessment remaining, subject to ongoing statutory authority.
Merced County Superior Court — Standing Order 2023-01 — Request for Destruction, Disposition, or return of Seized Property
Standing Order #2023-01 (effective May 2, 2023): requests from law enforcement for destruction, disposition, or return of seized property - an application, supporting evidence (usually a sworn declaration) and a standalone proposed order with a line where the Criminal Presiding Judge can sign, captioned as the order prescribes (a request for a specific Superior Court case filed in that case), exhibits referencing the evidence with numbered lines and a list of the property attached to the proposed order; the code section or other legal authority for the disposition of each piece of property; declarations specific and complying with CCP § 2015.5, with a Superior Court case number for each item associated with an adjudicated case and, for items seized under a search warrant, the warrant number and a copy of the warrant; and the exact proposed disposition of each item, and to whom items will be returned.
Merced County Superior Court — Standing Order 2022-08 — Juvenile Competency Protocol WIC § 709
Standing Order #2022-08 (effective November 15, 2022; a revision of Standing Order #2022-04 dated July 1, 2022): the Merced County Juvenile Court adopts the Merced County Juvenile Competency Protocol under Welfare and Institutions Code § 709, all parties, attorneys, agencies and organizations appearing before it complying (the statutory or rule provisions controlling in a conflict). The protocol: informal resolution encouraged in cases of relatively non-serious alleged conduct; on substantial evidence of a doubt as to the minor's competence, proceedings suspended and an expert psychologist or psychiatrist appointed (the panel of experts reviewed annually by January 31st; Attachment A, the letter to the expert); a Competency Determination Hearing generally within 15 court days for in-custody matters or 30 court days for out-of-custody matters; the minor's counsel providing documents to the expert within 10 court days (in custody) or 20 calendar days (out of custody) and the District Attorney within ten court days; the expert's report no less than two court days before the hearing and the court's copies no less than one court day before; a referral to the Central Valley Regional Center when the expert finds the minor developmentally disabled (a court date for its report within 45 to 60 days); a finding of incompetence by a preponderance of the evidence, a capacity determination for a minor under 14 years old, and dismissal of a petition containing only misdemeanor offenses; competency attainment services through the Department of Behavioral Health or the Merced County Probation Department, a Competency Attainment Plan Hearing, and reviews at least every 30 calendar days for minors in custody and every 45 calendar days out of custody; reevaluation and a Competency Attainment Hearing within 30 court days (in custody) or 45 court days (out of custody), within six months of the initial receipt of a recommendation, the total remediation period not exceeding one year; secure confinement not exceeding six (6) months from the finding of incompetence unless the court determines otherwise (up to 18 months for an offense described in WIC 707(b)); and statements made during the evaluation or the remediation not used against the minor.
Merced County Superior Court — Standing Order 2022-07 — Authorized Rate for Community Service Hours
Standing Order 2022-07 (effective October 19, 2022; a revision of Standing Order 2019-01): community service authorized for defendants charged with misdemeanors when payment of the total fine would pose a hardship on the defendant or the defendant's family, at the rate set for infractions under Penal Code § 1209.5 - double the minimum wage established by Labor Code section 1182.12(b)(2).
Merced County Superior Court — Standing Order 2022-06 — Procedures for Traffic Matters
Standing Order 2022-06 (effective September 20, 2022; a revision of Standing Order 2021-08), procedures for traffic matters: any clerk acting on a case updating the Department of Motor Vehicle Docket; the Clerk waiving the mandatory appearance on VC 40616 cases and accepting proof of correction with the $25.00 fee - correctable citations, tinted windows (VC § 26708(a)(1)), no proof of insurance, a valid license or registration - VC § 24004 and VC § 24002(a) not correctable; traffic school always granted if eligible, judicial approval for more than three (3) infractions or one (1) misdemeanor in the last two years, two eligible violations on one case, out-of-state driver licenses, no conversion to community service, and requests up to six months after bail is forfeited; one 30-day extension and one 45-day traffic school extension; payment plans; no not guilty plea on a misdemeanor citation by mail or over the counter; bail for a trial by declaration placed in Trust; one switch of proceedings (Court Trial to Trial by Declaration or back); owner's responsibility (CHP Form 279); community service for minors, who appear on the 1st Thursday of each month at 1:30 p.m.; motions, including a “Motion to Set Aside Civil Assessment”, calendared in the Traffic Department at least one week out and not accepted as a walk-in; court trials and trials by declaration where the citing officer has retired or transferred (Local Form #MSC-TF-020 to the District Attorney's Office in accident cases); copies of minute orders at $0.50 cents per page; and no court reporter in a traffic matter without a Judicial Officer's approval (Code of Civil Procedure § 269(a)(3)), an electronic recording being available.
Merced County Superior Court — Standing Order 2022-02 — Uniform Civil Filing Fees and Standard Fee Schedule Adopted and Additional Fees Adopted
Standing Order 2022-02 (effective January 1, 2022; a revision of Standing Order 2018-07): the court reaffirms the fees of the Uniform Civil Filing Fees and Standard Fee Schedule Act of 2005 (Assembly Bill 145) and revises its additional fees to actual cost - daily jury fees based on actual cost, a court reporter per diem fee of $ 225 for a half day and $ 450 for a full day (the same for an extra court reporter), a child adoption assessment of $ 700, guardianship and conservatorship investigations of $ 450, $ 45 for a returned NSF check, $ 25 for a partial payment and for collecting a fee previously waived, packets at actual cost, $ 50 for handling funds held in trust ($5,000 minimum), $ 15 for a certificate of facts regarding an unsatisfied judgment, $ 150 for a petition for change of plea, and $ 75 for each bail bond fee (extending time or setting aside, and resuming liability).
Merced County Superior Court — General Order of the Presiding Judge in re: Photography, Filming, Recording, and Broadcasting (June 14, 2021)
A general order of the Presiding Judge dated 06/14/2021, made under California Rules of Court, rule 10.603 and rule 1.150: absent prior written authorization of the Presiding Judge or their designee, no photographing, recording, or broadcasting by the media, attorneys, parties, or members of the public within any courthouse or court facility (courtrooms, jury assembly rooms, entrances and exits, lobby areas, hallways, stairs, elevators and business offices), except media as permitted within a courtroom by a judicial officer under rule 1.150 and areas designated as media areas, and photography from outside that does not obstruct access; recording devices turned off while transported; no recording of the interior through the windows or doors; jurors never recorded within a courthouse, judicial officers not without a court order and court employees not at all, consenting jurors and spectators only outside unless otherwise permitted by court order; cell phones and other camera-enabled devices allowed as long as the image capturing features are not activated, used, or displayed without prior written authorization; requests for any other exception, and to photograph or film unoccupied courtrooms, jury rooms or employee work areas, made in writing to the Court Executive Officer with a statement of facts; the order posted at each public entrance and on the Court's webpage, the Sheriff of Merced County serving it on apparent violators; and the penalties - termination of media coverage, contempt, confiscation of recording equipment, sanctions, and imprisonment in the county jail for up to six months or a fine of up to $1,000 under Penal Code section 166(a)(4).
Merced County Superior Court — Standing Order 2021-03 — Authorized Rates for Court-Ordered Services
Standing Order 2021-03 (effective May 5, 2021; incorporating Standing Orders 2015-04 and 2018-06), the authorized rates for court-ordered and court-appointed services: criminal court-appointed attorneys (Pen. Code § 987.2) $125 per hour; investigators $ 45 per hour; experts not to exceed $200 per hour; psychological/psychiatric exams $600 per exam; psychologist/psychiatrist exams under Pen. Code §§ 1016(6), 1017, 1026 and 1027 as ordered by the Judicial Officer; juvenile delinquency representation $125 per hour; juvenile dependency representation $100 per hour; minor's counsel $125 per hour; travel at the IRS Standard Mileage Reimbursement Rate; additional expenses by order of the Court; and claims submitted under the applicable Merced County resolution, Superior Court policy, or order of the Court.
Merced County Superior Court — Standing Order 2020-07 — Jail Pass Requests
Standing Order 2020-07 (effective August 10, 2020), jail pass requests: in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Merced Superior Court Judicial Officers no longer approve jail passes during the pandemic and for 90 days after the State of Emergency has been lifted, at minimum, the Court responding to each request that it has “no objection if the Sheriff approves the request.”
Merced County Superior Court — Standing Order 2020-01 — Merced County Sheriff Designated as the Court Security Officer
Standing Order 2020-01 (effective January 13, 2020; an amendment to Standing Order 2007-04-01): the Merced County Sheriff designated as the Court Security Officer; all persons except current judicial officers of the Merced Superior Court submitting to weapons screening by metal detection and x-ray equipment, all ammunition confiscated (a Class 1 hazardous material/explosive); no firearm, knife, teargas, taser, stun gun or similar device (Penal Code sections 171b and 244.5) possessed in courthouse facilities except by persons charged with security and on-duty peace officers, and no weapon in the courtroom when appearing as a party in a civil or probate matter or attending any family law matter; peace officers entering chambers, making arrests within the court facilities and taking custody of prisoners only with the permission the order requires; signs posted at each screening facility; and disobedience punishable as a contempt of court.
Merced County Superior Court — Standing Order 2020-02 — Limitations on Media Coverage
Standing Order 2020-02 (effective January 13, 2020), limitations on media coverage: when a media request is granted, unless a written judicial order permits an exception, no photographing or video coverage of a courtroom's interior through glass door windows, of any part of a court facility (lobby areas, hallways, stairs and elevators), of anyone wearing a juror badge, or of judicial officers, court staff and jurors; every proposed order (MC-510) submitted with a media request (MC-500) placing personnel and equipment in the back of the courtroom and permitting only still photography and video coverage of counsel and defendant; the procedures of the California Rules of Court, rule 1.150 unchanged.
Merced County Superior Court — Standing Order 2019-03 — Protocol for WIC § 602/300 Hearings
Standing Order 2019-03 (effective October 29, 2019; an amendment to Standing Order 2009-01), the protocol for section 602/300 hearings: on a minor's detention under section 602, the Juvenile Probation Department asks the Human Services Agency (HSA) whether the minor is a dependent under section 300; if so, the Juvenile Delinquency Court suspends the proceedings and sets a section 241.1 protocol hearing on the W&I § 300 Dependency calendar within 10 days if the minor is in custody and within 15 days if not; the Dependency Clerk notices the parents, guardians, their attorneys, minor's counsel, the District Attorney's juvenile office, the Public Defender's Office if applicable, the Probation Department, and the Human Service Agency; and the Juvenile Probation Department provides the noticed parties the 241.1 report with the police reports.
Merced County Superior Court — Standing Order 2018-05 — Release of Information to HSA, CWS by Family Law
Standing Order 2018-05 (effective June 5, 2018; an amendment to Standing Order 2006-02): release of information by the Family Law Division to the Human Services Agency, Child Welfare Services (CWS) - evaluators' reports under Family Code sections 3110 and 3111 and Evidence Code section 730, information from minors counsel, mediators' agreements, rationales and recommendations, drug test results and supervised visitation reports, confidential or not; CWS faxing its request (its representative, the parties and the children) to the Family Law Clerk's office at (209) 725-4118; the Family Law Division Supervisor and Senior Processing Clerk authorized to discuss the file, the records viewed at the Family Law Clerk's office or copies e-mailed; and the documents shown to no one but the assigned CWS personnel unless the Family Law or Juvenile Court orders otherwise.
Merced County Superior Court — Standing Order 2018-04 — Procedures for Handling Confidential Records
Standing Order 2018-04 (effective May 22, 2018), procedures for handling confidential records: the Clerk of the Court allows all parties and attorneys of record to view the confidential records of the case, and sends notice to the parties when a confidential document is lodged without a proof of service; documents filed under seal and documents whose access is limited by law are excepted.
Merced County Superior Court — Standing Order 2017-02 — Interpreter Cancellation
Standing Order 2017-02 (effective March 9, 2017), interpreter cancellation: the Court may assess a party or attorney all or part of the financial expense of an interpreter canceled because the party or attorney did not give at least 24 hours advance notice that the interpreter was not required as scheduled.
Merced County Superior Court — Standing Order 2016-04 — Media Requests—CA Rules of Court, Rule 1.150
Standing Order 2016-04 (effective December 23, 2016; a revision of Standing Order 2009-07), media requests under the California Rules of Court, Rule 1.150: media requests handled by the Executive Assistants (in Los Banos the division supervisor); the Media Request (MC-500) and the Order on Media Request to Permit Coverage (MC-510) completed by the requesting agency and e-mailed to the Executive Assistants' group address; a five-day notice rule (CRC Rule 1.150), a Judicial Officer able to find good cause for a later request; the request file stamped, e-mailed to all parties or attorneys of record, and submitted with the proposed order to the Judicial Officer hearing the matter (the Presiding Judge if none is assigned); and the file-stamped request and signed order e-mailed to the requesting agency.
Merced County Superior Court — Standing Order 2015-02 — Procedure for Traffic Clerk on Speed OT 101-109
Standing Order 2015-02 (effective September 25, 2015; a revision of Standing Order 2012-0011): a citation under California Vehicle Code 22348(B) makes an appearance mandatory; for speeds of 101-109 mph the clerk may tell the party that the bail amount may be posted and forfeited, paid in full within thirty (30) days or on a payment plan, that traffic school will not be permitted, and that DMV will put two (2) points on the record; a party who will not post and forfeit, or who was cited for over 109 mph, must appear in court, where the court may also suspend the driving privilege for up to thirty (30) days and uses the excessive speed form attached to the order (Vehicle Code section 22348, its fines, and the rights waived by a plea of guilty or no contest).
Merced County Superior Court — Standing Order 2014-03 — Ex Parte Communications
Standing Order 2014-03 (effective immediately, November 3, 2014; headed EXPARTE COMMUNICATIONS): except as permitted by law and the California Rules of Court, attorneys and self-represented litigants refrain from initiating ex parte communications - communications with a judge outside the presence of the other parties and outside open court - with the judges, commissioners, and referees of the Merced Superior Court; a party delayed for a scheduled hearing contacts the judge's executive assistants or the clerk's office.
Merced County Superior Court — Standing Order 2011-0005 — Courtroom Clerk Authority to Write "formal probation modified to summary probation"
Standing Order 2011-0005 (March 26, 2011, effective immediately): a Courtroom Clerk may note “formal probation modified to summary probation” on the minutes only when a defendant sentenced to formal probation later appears and the formal probation is modified to summary probation - outstanding fines and fees related to the formal probation, and their distribution, cease on the Court's order; fines and fees paid up to the modification stand, with no refund; and the defendant reports to the Court instead of probation.
Merced County Superior Court — Standing Order 2010-01 — Appointment of Counsel in Juvenile Dependency Court
Standing Order 2010-01 (April 19, 2010, effective immediately; replacing Standing Order 2009-08): when a minor who is or has been the subject of a Juvenile Dependency Court proceeding needs an appointment of counsel (Welfare & Institutions Code Section 317), the Court Appointed Counsel submits a declaration of the need for outside counsel; on a finding of good cause the Juvenile Court appoints a guardian ad litem, who contacts a suitably experienced local attorney and submits the attorney's contract (pro bono service acceptable) to the Dependency Court Judicial Officer for approval; the clerk then calendars an “Appointment of Section 317 Counsel” on the dependency calendar with notice to all parties, and the Court appoints counsel at the hearing.
Merced County Superior Court — Standing Order 2008-01 — Children in the Courthouse
Standing Order 2008-01 (effective immediately, January 2, 2008; an amendment to Standing Order 2007-0011): minor children entering any Superior Court Facility accompanied by an adult and closely supervised, their access limited to obtaining and filing documents unless a minor child is subpoenaed, is requested to appear by the Family Law Mediators, or is a party to an action or ordered to appear in Court by a Judicial Officer; a party entering with minor children subject to search; and the Deputy Sheriff in charge of security authorized to request that the parent or supervising adult control or remove a minor child to maintain security and safety.
Merced County Superior Court — Standing Order 2007-0008 — One-time Extension on a Proof of Completion (Replaced Policy Order 94-1)
Standing Order 2007-0008 (effective September 21, 2007; a revision of Policy Order 94-1): the Superior Court Clerks may grant a one-time extension on a proof of completion, a proof of enrollment and an early reporting date - proof of completion of Community Service 30 days, proof of enrollment (ACCS) 60 days, proof of enrollment (Level 1 or SB38) 21 days, proof of enrollment (General) 20 days, and modification of a jail reporting date (early reporting date only) - the Clerk preparing a Minute Order requiring the defendant's signature and writing “Per Standing Order 2007-0008,” in the space for the Judges' signature.
Merced County Superior Court — Administration
The Administration division's mail and deliveries - deliveries accepted during normal working hours, not during court holidays and state-mandated court closure days; all mail to name the Superior Court of California, County of Merced, the physical address of the division and an Attention line (ATTN:), with a self-addressed envelope with the appropriate postage for the return of copies of documents mailed to be filed; the Court Facility Equal Access Policy adopted pursuant to Government Code Section 7284.8(a) and the Court Facilities Camera Recordings Policy; the division's contacts and hours (8:00 am - 5:00 pm); and the Court Appointed Elisor Procedure for documents the Court has ordered the Clerk of the Court, or a designee, to sign - a certified copy of the minute order that appointed the elisor (a certified copy of a minute order is $40; for deeds, the minute order to contain the legal description of the property and the correct spelling of the name as it appears on the deed), the Elisor fees of $15 per signature paid at any Merced Superior Court clerk's office, a call to (209) 725-4172, the certified minute order, a true copy of the documents, a receipt for each Elisor signature and contact information provided to All Executive Assistants (hand-delivered, or via email or fax), an appointment once the Elisor has reviewed the documents, and the original documents and the party's own notary brought to it (the Court does not provide notary services).
Merced County Superior Court — Administrative and Media Requests
Judicial administrative records made available on request unless exempt under rule 10.500 (fees under subdivision (e)(4)), requests directed to the Court Executive Officer, Administration, Room 10; media requests to photograph, record or broadcast a court event - the Media Request (MC-500) and the proposed Order on Media Request to Permit Coverage (MC-510) filled out per Standing Order #2020-02 and e-mailed to the Executive Assistants, a five-day notice rule (California Rules of Court Rule 1.150) subject to a Judicial Officer's finding of good cause for a later request, the Executive Assistants notifying the agency of the outcome (Standing Order #2016-04 and Standing Order #2020-02; the June 14, 2021 General Order - Photography & Filming); courtroom equipment requests by an attorney presenting an electronic exhibit (the Uniform Instructions for Presentation of Electronic Exhibits standing order and the Court Audio-Video Equipment Request Form); and requests for access to the court disposition records of adult traffic and criminal cases and the court case filing records of civil and small claims cases, on their request forms.
Merced County Superior Court — Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
ADR for Unlimited Civil cases only, its forms (ADR Stipulation, EMP Statement of Settlement Status Form, Early Mediation Opt-Out Form, ADR Neutral Panel Application, ADR Neutral Survey) and contacts; the Case Management Conference (CMC) Policy and Information - the Complaint served within 60 days (California Rules of Court, Rule 3.110), extensions to respond limited to 15 days beyond the 30 days without leave of Court; before the first CMC the parties meet and confer at least 30 days prior (Rule 3.724), file and serve a CMC Statement (Form CM-110) no later than 15 days before the CMC, and take part in the Early Mediation Program (EMP); cases presumed Category I (12 month duration), designated Category II (18-month duration) or Category III (24 month duration) on a showing; the case to be at issue by the first CMC, set approximately 150 days from the filing of the original complaint (an OSC re dismissal as to unserved parties); appearance required, in person in Courtroom 8 at 627 W. 21st Street, Merced, on Thursdays at 9:30 am, or by telephone through CourtCall, LLC (TELEPHONIC APPEARANCE REQUESTED on the CMC Statement, or a Request for Telephonic Appearance NOT LESS THAN THREE (3) COURT DAYS before); CMCs typically heard by Temporary Judges unless a party asks for a Judge or Commissioner (Rule 2.816); rescheduling only by stipulation and an ex parte appearance or a noticed motion; an Unconditional Notice of Settlement filed at least five (5) Court days before a CMC (Rule 3.1385; dismissal within 45 days); the ADR Information Guide (mediation, arbitration, neutral case evaluation, settlement conferences); the Early Mediation Program - a $300 fee shared by the parties (not waived with a fee waiver) paid to the Civil Clerk’s Office within 120 days of filing, an opt-out form filed within 120 days from the filing of the Complaint, a mediator chosen from the ADR Neutral List (a short list if the parties cannot agree, de-selections within 5 days), a Mediation Statement of no more than 5 pages sent to the mediator one (1) week before, a confidential Mediation Survey after; the Judicial Arbitration Program for $300, generally ordered where the amount in controversy is $50,000 or less; the ADR Information Packet served with the Complaint and on new Cross-Defendants; and the ADR Neutral List with each neutral's biography.
Merced County Superior Court — CARE Court
The Community, Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment (CARE) Act - petitions for a voluntary CARE agreement or a court-ordered CARE plan for persons with untreated schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders; Merced County in Cohort 2, accepting petitions from December 2, 2024; the eligibility criteria (18 years of age or older; schizophrenia or another psychotic disorder under Section 5600.3 of the Welfare and Institutions Code; not clinically stabilized in ongoing voluntary treatment; unlikely to survive safely in the community without supervision, or needing services to prevent a relapse or deterioration (Section 5150); the least restrictive alternative; likely to benefit); petitions accepted at the Civil Clerk's Office in Merced and the Clerk's Office in Los Banos, or by e-file; and CARE Act proceedings heard in Courtroom 10 on Fridays at 11:30 am unless otherwise ordered by a judicial officer.
Merced County Superior Court — Child Custody (Family Court Services)
Child Custody Recommending Counseling (CCRC) for a parenting plan - an appointment of one to two hours; its forms (the Formal Request for Separate Mediation, MSC-FL-035 Request for Separate CCRC Session, MSC-FL-036 Child Custody Recommending Counseling); the answer to How do I attend CCRC? - appointments and child interviews in person at the Ogletree Jr. Courthouse, 2260 N. Street, the parties reporting to the second floor, in the lobby outside courtroom 7, arriving 15- to 20 minutes before the appointment, an appointment canceled if a party does not arrive within 20 minutes past its time (the parties then directed to the further hearing, where rescheduling can be requested); contact information updated before the appointment; the orientation watched and the Confidential Information form mailed at least one (1) week before; the agreement, or the Recommendation and the Rationale; the page's Important Information that all parents appear remotely by telephone or video conference, contacted one business day before and on the day, and its Spanish instructions for remote mediation; the online orientation required of all parents before the custody hearing; supervised visitation - the Guide for Non-Professional Providers, and the Declaration of Supervised Visitation Provider (Nonprofessional) filed with the Family Law Clerk's Office; and the lists of private providers the court publishes without endorsement (supervised visits and exchanges, parenting and co-parenting, anger management and domestic violence, alcohol and drug assessment, counseling, drug testing, the Merced Superior Court Private Evaluator List, and the Merced Superior Court Mental Health Evaluator List) with the Custody Evaluation Scope Form, the Counselor/Therapist Progress Report, and the Supervised Visitation Report.
Merced County Superior Court — Civil Division
The division's matters (civil, small claims, probate, adoption, juvenile dependency, civil harassments, name changes, unlawful detainers (evictions), elder abuse, conservatorship, guardianship and emancipation); Law & Motion calendars - Limited Civil matters heard on Mondays at 1:30, Wednesdays and Thursdays at 10 am in Courtroom 9, Unlimited Civil matters on Monday – Friday in Courtroom 8 at 8:15 am unless notified otherwise; Small Claims Night Court on the 2nd Wednesday of each month at 5:00 pm at the Old Merced Courthouse, requested from the Small Claims Court Clerk when the case is filed (first come, first serve), with no payments on the hearing date and no interpreter services during its hours; conformed copies returned only when a self-addressed stamped envelope is included with the documents filed; payment over the counter in cash and money orders (personal checks with a financial declaration) and by mail in money orders and personal checks up to $25, no credit or debit cards; the Unlawful Detainer Instructions for evictions; and the public computer in the Unlimited Civil office.
Merced County Superior Court — Collaborative Courts
The courts for individuals and families in the criminal justice and child welfare systems met with substance abuse, mental illness and other social welfare issues - clients supervised by judicial officers through regular court hearings with incentives and sanctions; the Behavioral Health Treatment Courts' calendar in Courtroom 3 on the 1st, 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month at 10:00 a.m.; Drug Treatment Court in Courtroom 3 on Fridays at 10:00 a.m.; the Homeless Court Program on the last Tuesday of each month at 3:00 p.m. at the Hoffmeister Center - Central Presbyterian Church, 920 Canal Street, Merced (a progressive plea bargain system, alternative sentencing, assurances of no custody and proof of program activities; most cases heard and resolved in one hearing; its Homeless Court Packet; the Homeless Court Navigator - Worknet, (209) 724-2100); and Veteran’s Court on the 3rd Tuesday of the month at 8:30 a.m.
Merced County Superior Court — Court Collections
AB177 and AB1869, which eliminate the collection of some Court, Probation, County and Booking Fees (AB177 effective January 1, 2022; AB1869 effective July 1, 2021), with no active collection of those fees; the court's Comprehensive Collection Program pursuant to Penal Code 1463.007 - cases assigned to the Merced Court Collections Division when monthly payments were ordered or when a defendant failed to appear or pay; a delinquent account not resolved by a payment arrangement subject to wage garnishments and bank levies through the Franchise Tax Board Court Ordered Debt Collection Program; payment online, by mail to Merced Superior Court – Collection, P.O. Box 3769, Merced, CA 95344, or in person by cash, check, cashier’s check, money order or credit card; financial hardship requests to reduce the fine, for more time to pay, an affordable monthly payment or community service (the MyCitations online tool for eligible infractions, not misdemeanor or felony fines and fees; form TR-320 by mail); and the offices' locations and hours.
Merced County Superior Court — Criminal - Remote Appearances
In person appearance required in criminal matters unless otherwise ordered by the judicial officer (questions to the Clerk’s Office or counsel); in the felony courtrooms in person unless otherwise ordered, with the exceptions of Courtroom 3 - remote appearances for video arraignments and post-conviction relief hearings as permitted by law; in the misdemeanor courtrooms in person unless otherwise permitted, with the exception of Courtroom 5 - remote appearances permitted for State Hospital hearings.
Merced County Superior Court — Drop-Box Locations and Availability
The court's official drop boxes for payments and other court documents during non-operating hours, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, documents deposited before 4:00 p.m. filed the same day (during regular business hours documents may be filed with the clerk's office); the boxes near the double doors on the southwest corner of the Old Merced Courthouse (627 West 21st Street), outside the front doors of the Ogletree Jr. Courthouse (2260 N Street) and of the Traffic Division (720 West 20th Street), and in the parking lot of The Robert M. Falasco Justice Center (1159 "G" Street, Los Banos).
Merced County Superior Court — Family Law
The Family Law Division at the Ogletree Jr. Courthouse, 2260 N Street (calendar desk (209) 725-4155; filings 8:00 am - 3:00 pm); Child Custody Recommending Counseling (CCRC) by Family Court Services as this page states it - by telephone or video conference on a date set by the Court, the orientation video watched first, the Confidential Information for Child Custody Recommending Counseling form mailed to the Family Law Division at 627 W. 21st Street at least one (1) week before the appointment, a separate session on request, availability from 8:15 am – 12 pm for an appointment set at 8:45 am, a call one (1) business day before and a call between 8:15 AM and 9:00 AM on the day, an agreement signed by the Judge becoming a Court Order or a Recommendation and a Rationale mailed to the parents, and the rules for remote CCRC (no recording, a private place, no children or third parties, documents filed and served before the appointment), with the same instructions in Spanish; payment over the counter (cash, cashier’s check, money order, a Visa or MasterCard card with a processing and convenience fee) and by mail (money orders and cashier’s checks); and the Family Law FAQs - the mandatory Orientation (its attendance waivable for attendance within the last 18 months or a residence over 250 miles away, by the Formal Request for Waiver of Orientation Hearing submitted no later than 4:00 pm two days before the Orientation), a missed CCRC date (a reimbursement fee normally of $50.00), continuances by the Stipulation and Order to Continue or Advance a Court date filed before the date (no filing fee), notice of an ex parte hearing by a phone call with the proposed order given before the matter is called, the Divorce packet, alternative service, and who may view a confidential file (the parties or the attorney of record with picture I.D., or a person with a party's signed letter).
Merced County Superior Court — Financial Hardship and Ability to Pay Your Fine
A request to reduce an infraction fine (most traffic tickets) based on the ability to pay, with proof of financial means, at any point but answered only after a plea of guilty or no contest; the MyCitations online tool (recommended) for a plea and an ability to pay request on eligible infractions, a payment plan, more time to pay or community service, usable when the case is in collections; form TR-320/CR320 as the other way; an additional fee of up to $100 the court may add if the defendant does not act by the date on the citation and reminder notice; payment plans approved for no more than $25 per month on an approved ability-to-pay request; misdemeanor and felony fines and fees not eligible; and the tool not used to contest the citation, attend traffic school or obtain a dismissal with proof of correction.
Merced County Superior Court — Juvenile Division
Juvenile justice cases at the Juvenile Justice Division, 2840 W. Sandy Mush Road (juvenile dependency cases handled by the Unlimited Civil Division); the Juvenile Justice Calendar heard Monday through Friday, starting at 8:15 am in Courtroom 11, located in the Iris Garret Juvenile Justice Correctional Complex; case information requests made in person (all Juvenile matters confidential: no case information over the phone), a search fee of $15.00 possible when a visitor brings no information about the case; and Transfer-in Hearings - Juvenile Dependency cases on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays at 8:30 am in Courtroom 10 at the Old Merced Courthouse, Juvenile Justice cases Monday through Friday at 8:15 am in Courtroom 11.
Merced County Superior Court — Local Forms
The court's local forms by division, each with its number, name, effective or revision date and type (Mandatory, Optional or Informational) - Civil (MSC-CV-001 to MSC-CV-052; the Settlement Conference Statement, and the Stipulation for Settlement, mandatory), Court (MSC-AD-010, MSC-AD-011, MSC-RR-001, MSC-VC-001, MSC-VC-002), Criminal (the MC-P47 resentencing and redesignation forms and MSC-CR-001 to MSC-CR-300; the advisement of rights, waiver and plea forms mandatory), Family Law (MCDCSS-123, MSC-FL-020 to MSC-FL-035), Juvenile (MSC-JV-001 to MSC-JV-241), Probate (MSC-PR-001 to MSC-PR-010) and Traffic (MSC-TF-001 Traffic Payment Plan Enrollment Form); and the texts of the forms the page prints - MSC-AD-015 How to Safely Turn In Firearms and Ammunition (a call within 24 hours of receiving the restraining or protective order, the safety instructions, the 24 hours to turn in or sell), MSC-AD-300 Merced County Mental Health and Veterans Services Information, MSC-CR-020 Information About Fines and Programs, MSC-CR-021 Public Defender Appointed, MSC-CR-022 Sentencing Instructions, MSC-FL-004 Family Law Resource Guide, MSC-FL-047 Family Law Division Standard Custody Orders (made a part of the court's order in custody cases unless otherwise ordered), MSC-FL-025 Standard Orders Attachment (to an order re: child support), MSC-FL-037 (drug testing and collection sites), MSC-FL-039 Parenting and Co-Parenting Service Providers, MSC-FL-040 Anger Management and Domestic Violence providers, and MSC-JV-003 WIC § 827 Quick Reference Guide (juvenile case file disclosure under CRC 5.552 and the court's procedural path for a § 827 petition, ruled on form JV-574 or JV-573).
Merced County Superior Court — Los Banos Division
The Robert M. Falasco Justice Center, 1159 "G" Street, Los Banos, hears traffic, adult, juvenile, criminal, civil and small claims matters - the Dos Palos and Gustine branches no longer hear matters, all of them handled through the Los Banos division; it accepts all Small Claims, Limited and Unlimited Civil filings (adoption, probate, conservatorship, guardianship, civil restraining orders and name changes included) and all Family Law filings; a traffic citation contested by paying the full bail (fine) amount on the Notice to Appear and requesting a Trial By Declaration by mail; financial hardship requests; walk-ins on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday between 7:45am and 8:15am, with the citation, courtesy notice or release papers (the walk-in schedule subject to change); and office hours of 7:45 am - 3:00 pm.