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San Diego County, CA
Every published instrument scoped to San Diego County, newest effective date first. 0 circuit-wide and 13 statewide instruments also apply here — search all three layers together. Procedural information only; not legal advice.
Showing 1–50 of 98 · page 1 of 2
Policies and procedures of Department 75 (civil, Judge Euketa Oliver), revised July 27, 2026: conformity with the local rules, calendars (ex parte, law and motion, trial readiness conference, trial call), trial hours, binders and equipment, law and motion filings, tentative rulings, sealing and protective orders, discovery dispute outlines and discovery motions, court orders and informal discovery conferences.
Policies and procedures of Department 73 (Hall of Justice civil, Judge Michael D. Washington), revised July 6, 2026: department phone numbers, conformity with the local rules, appearances, calendars, continuances, matters that need no ex parte appearance, and trial call.
Unlawful detainer policies and procedures of Department 201 (Central civil, Judge Rachel L. Jensen), effective June 17, 2026: appearances and check-in, general conduct, virtual appearances, interpreters, settlement and trial meet and confer, trial procedure, exhibits and objections, continuances, jury trials, law and motion, courtesy copies, discovery motions, and proposed orders and judgments.
Policies and procedures of Department 70 (Central – Hall of Justice civil, Judge Carolyn M. Caietti), revised June 15, 2026: department staff, ex parte, law and motion, informal discovery conferences and discovery motions, sealing records, guardians ad litem, service by publication, pro hac vice applications, remote appearances, case management conference, continuances, trial readiness conference, trial call, trial and courtesy copies.
Protective order for law-enforcement-generated video discovery (CHP MVARS and body-worn camera video): on the parties' stipulation, the general order governs use and disclosure of the video, limits copies and disclosure, requires destruction of copies at the end of the case, and survives final termination. Effective May 5, 2026 through December 31, 2026.
Electronically imaged court records in the Criminal Division from February 17, 2026: the Odyssey electronic file is the official record in imaging program cases; paper filings are destroyed after 30 days except originals the court must keep; kiosk access in the criminal business offices; no remote viewing of documents. Effective April 28, 2026 through December 31, 2026.
Department 75's advance trial review order (rev. March 3, 2026): the in-person meet-and-confer before the initial trial call and the trial documents, exhibits, motions in limine, witness lists, jury instructions and verdict forms required.
Policies and procedures of Department 65 (Central civil – Hall of Justice, Judge Mark T. Cumba), revised March 2, 2026: courtroom staff, ex parte matters, informal discovery conferences, minor's compromise petitions, service by publication, protective orders and motions to seal, law and motion, case management and trial readiness conferences, trial calls, trials, remote appearances and default judgments.
Policies and procedures of Department 71 (Central – Hall of Justice civil, Judge Gregory W. Pollack), dated January 29, 2026: department staff and calendar times, ex parte hearings (including for discovery disputes) and continuance requests, trial calls, trial readiness conferences, law and motion practice including reply briefs, good faith settlement applications, and the department's trial guidelines including jury selection.
Trial readiness conference orders of Department 904 (family law, Judge Pamela M. Parker), rev. January 16, 2026: joint statements before each TRC, time estimates, in-person and remote appearance, trial schedule, briefs and income and expense declarations, electronic exhibit portal uploads and hardcopy exhibit binders, in limine motions, witness and child testimony, the court's trial preparation, court reporters and filing of trial papers.
Rules of Department N-18 (North County family law, Judge Renee N.G. Stackhouse), as of January 15, 2026: reference links, administrative matters, ex parte matters, restraining orders, requests for order and motion hearings, Family Court Services, court reporters, child testimony, settlement conferences, and trials of two days or less and longer trial settings.
Policies and procedures of Department 63 (Central – Hall of Justice civil, Judge Katherine A. Bacal), revised January 5, 2026: ex parte and law and motion matters, case management and trial readiness conferences, trial calls, trials and virtual appearances.
Court security: the Sheriff is the court security officer; everyone entering a court facility must submit to weapons screening; no one may possess a firearm, knife, tear gas, taser, stun gun, ammunition or other dangerous weapon in a courthouse, with listed exemptions for on-duty peace officers, evidence weapons, licensed judicial officers and court employees' pepper spray. In effect for 2026.
Photography, recording and broadcasting in the courthouse: none without written judicial authorization except under California Rules of Court, rule 1.150 and in the designated media areas listed in Exhibit A; rules for devices, jurors and spectators, remote viewers, generative AI, and law enforcement body-worn cameras. In effect for 2026.
Cameras and other image-capture devices: no pictures or video in court facilities or of court files and exhibits without written authorization, except portable scanners and copiers used only to image documents under the court's acknowledgement form (SDSC ADM-329). In effect for 2026.
Waiver under California Rules of Court, rule 2.818 of the subsection (b)(3) limitation for temporary judges: in family law cases a temporary judge may hear a case where one party is self-represented and the other is represented, as long as any required stipulation is received. In effect for 2026.
Transfer of proceedings involving the Department of Child Support Services: Title IV-D commissioners may transfer matters between Title IV-D departments; cases where both parties (or one party, the other living outside the county) reside in the North County filing area go to the North County Division; e-filed DCSS documents may use either division's address. In effect for 2026.
Dismissal of domestic violence cases when the applicant waives the hearing on a denied temporary restraining order request (Family Code section 6320.5(c)): on a signed written request, where the temporary orders were denied entirely and no other family law matter is pending, the clerk cancels the hearing and dismisses the case without prejudice to refiling. In effect for 2026.
Parentage files sealed before July 1, 2010 stay sealed, but a judicial officer may review one and, on stated findings, redesignate it by ex parte order from sealed to confidential. In effect for 2026.
Commercial sales activities on courthouse grounds: no person or entity may conduct business or commercial activity (including trustee sales) on the exterior areas around the courthouses; the Sheriff enforces the order and exceptions are decided by the Presiding Judge, Assistant Presiding Judge or designee. In effect for 2026.
The Sargent Shriver Civil Counsel Project: representation in unlawful detainer cases and in certain child custody and domestic violence restraining order cases, mandatory and Shriver settlement conferences, and assignment of certain domestic violence cases to a designated Shriver Domestic Violence Judge. In effect for 2026.
Smoking in and around courthouse facilities: no one may smoke any substance, including tobacco and cannabis products and electronic cigarettes, inside courthouse facilities or within 20 feet of an exit, entrance or operable window. In effect for 2026.
Related family law cases: when a new family law case relates to a pending domestic violence or other family law case, all related cases are assigned to the judicial officer hearing the case of broader jurisdiction (California Rules of Court, rules 5.440 and 3.300), subject to Shriver domestic violence assignments. In effect for 2026.
Electronically imaged court records, electronic filing and electronic access in civil and probate cases: the imaged file is the official record; mandatory e-filing through approved e-filing service providers; the 11:59:59 p.m. filing deadline; service, exhibit, original-document, lodging and proposed-order requirements for civil and probate cases; kiosk and remote access. In effect for 2026.
Electronically imaged court records, electronic filing and electronic access in family law cases: Imaged and Partial-Imaged cases, the official court record, optional e-filing through approved providers, electronic service, the “PARTIAL-IMAGED FILE” caption, exhibits, redactions, lodged documents, format and the 11:59:59 p.m. filing deadline, and kiosk and remote access. In effect for 2026.
Ban on cannabis possession and use in courthouse facilities under Penal Code section 4573 and Health and Safety Code section 11362.45: no possession or use of cannabis, cannabis products, accessories or plants in court facilities, with rare exceptions by court order for documented medical need. In effect for 2026.
Electronically imaged court records in the traffic and minor offense divisions: the imaged file (including the case summary's events and orders) is the official record; kiosk access in the traffic business offices, copies and fees; no remote viewing of documents. In effect for 2026.
Prohibited expressive activity in and around courthouse facilities: definitions of prohibited activity, courthouse, curtilage and walkway; prohibitions inside courthouses and their curtilage and on obstructing people entering or leaving; exclusions; Sheriff enforcement and penalties including sanctions up to $1,500 per violation. In effect for 2026.
Video court for Department of Child Support Services proceedings: North County DCSS cases may be heard by video link to a judicial officer in the Central Division courthouse, with everyone deemed present in the same courtroom. In effect for 2026.
Inspection and copying of confidential family court files by the District Attorney's Child Abduction Unit without further court order, on presentation of the mandatory declaration (SDSC Form D-293) with the listed contents and acknowledgements. In effect for 2026.
Electronically imaged court records in the adoption court departments: the electronic file is the official record; paper filings are destroyed after 30 days; original documents are lodged in advance of hearings; access after finalization is by petition (SDSC Form JUV-236); only the register of actions is viewable remotely. In effect for 2026.
Criminal background searches in domestic violence restraining order matters (Family Code section 6306): the court's Background Investigation Unit conducts the searches and its clerks notify law enforcement when the restrained party has an outstanding warrant or is on parole or probation. In effect for 2026.
Disclosure of probation reports to the Office of the Primary Public Defender, solely to investigate eligibility for post-conviction relief under Penal Code sections 745, 1016.5, 1473.7 and 1172.6 for unrepresented defendants, with confidentiality, victim-information protection and destruction requirements. In effect for 2026.
Electronic registration of tribal court protective and restraining orders: the Intertribal Court of Southern California and the Pala Intratribal Court email the order with a completed DV-600 and CLETS-001 to the North County or East County address; review, signature, certified copies, CLETS entry and sealing follow. In effect for 2026.
Habeas corpus petitions challenging isolation or quarantine orders of the county Public Health Officer during a declared emergency are filed in the Central Courthouse and assigned to the Presiding Judge (or Assistant Presiding Judge), who may assign them to the criminal or civil supervising judges. In effect for 2026.
Citizens Law Enforcement Review Board (CLERB) access to probation reports, files and records: the court-approved authorization form, access on a probationer's signed authorization or on proof of death with court-reviewed redactions, redaction of confidential information, disputes heard in Department 102, and confidentiality conditions. In effect for 2026.
Amendment of Local Rule 5.4.1.C (domestic violence restraining order hearings): written rescheduling requests use Request to Continue Hearing (JC Form DV-115) with the top of Order on Request to Continue Court Hearing (DV-116) completed; for oral requests parties are encouraged to submit the DV-116 with its top portion completed. In effect for 2026.
Community service credit for infraction fines under Penal Code section 1209.5: the court raises the hourly credit to $34 per hour for 2026 (the statutory rate being $33.80, double the $16.90 minimum wage).
Division I of the court's 2026 local rules (rules 1.1.1–1.4.6): scope of the rules, general rules that apply in every division, the court's executive officer, and miscellaneous provisions.
Division II of the court's 2026 local rules (rules 2.1.1–2.5.12): general civil policies and procedures, alternative dispute resolution, special case categories and miscellaneous civil provisions.
Division III of the court's 2026 local rules (rules 3.1.1–3.4.5): general criminal rules, motions, ex parte requests, and habeas corpus and error coram nobis petitions.
Division IV of the court's 2026 local rules (rules 4.1.1–4.23.7): filing requirements, settings and continuances, notices, calendar notes and hearings, orders and bonds, appointment of personal representatives, summary proceedings, creditors' claims, sales, inventories and accounts, fees and commissions, distribution, conservatorships, guardianships, trusts, contested matters and law and motion in probate.
Division V of the court's 2026 local rules (rules 5.1.1–5.14.6): case management, emergency (ex parte) orders, domestic violence restraining orders, requests for order, income and expense declarations, calendar assignments, settlement conferences and trials, parentage actions, the family support division, custody and visitation, orders after hearing and judgments, and minor's counsel.
Division VI of the court's 2026 local rules (rules 6.1.1–6.9.24): juvenile and adoption rules, attorney screening and standards of representation, complaint procedures, access to confidential information, appointment of counsel, caseloads, and juvenile justice proceedings.
Division VII of the court's 2026 local rules (rules 7.1.1–7.3.2): appeals and writ petitions to the court's Appellate Division, and appeals to the Fourth District Court of Appeal.
Division VIII of the court's 2026 local rules (rules 8.1.1–8.13.1): the mental health court's locations, venue and procedures, LPS conservatorships, consent to treatment, electroconvulsive treatment, capacity determinations, certification review hearings, habeas corpus writs (including for minors), admission of minors, appointed counsel and fees, and CARE Act proceedings.
Preface to the court's 2026 local rules: the San Diego County Bar Association's Attorney Civility and Practice Guidelines (rev. 1/1/2020), which the court expects every attorney appearing before it to follow — duties owed to the court, to clients, to opposing parties and counsel, and to the public.
Policies and procedures of Department 64 (Central civil – Hall of Justice, Judge Loren G. Freestone), revised September 25, 2025: ex parte hearings, minor's compromise petitions, remote appearances, service by publication, guardians ad litem, protective orders and motions to seal, law and motion, informal discovery conferences and discovery motions, pro hac vice applications, case management and trial readiness conferences, trial calls, default judgments and courtesy copies.
Policies and procedures of Department 60 (Central – Hall of Justice civil, Judge Matthew C. Braner), revised September 24, 2025: rescheduling, ex parte matters, informal discovery conferences, law and motion, case management and trial readiness conferences, trial calls, trials, virtual appearances and settlement conferences.
Policies and procedures of Department C-74 (Hall of Justice civil, Judge Blaine K. Bowman), revised September 15, 2025: courtroom staff, case management conferences, continuances, ex parte and law and motion matters, remote and required personal appearances, trial readiness conference, trial call, motions in limine, trial, and construction defect case management orders and timelines.