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Create your free account →Superior Court Judge · Superior Court of California, County of Santa Barbara · Santa Barbara County, California
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Report generated October 14, 2026 · benchpath.ai/reports/judge/ca-donna-d-geck
Judge — Department 4, Anacapa Division, 1100 Anacapa Street, Santa Barbara, Superior Court of California, County of Santa Barbara
Judge, Appellate Division — Superior Court of California, County of Santa Barbara
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Unlock free →Weapons search and screening at all court locations by the Sheriff and court contracted private security personnel; entry refused to anyone who will not comply; no alcoholic beverage, controlled substance, firearm, knife, teargas, taser or stun gun (Penal Code §§ 171b, 244.5, and 22810) whatever the license or permit; firearms only for state or federal law enforcement officers on official business, never for an officer appearing as a party litigant; no photographing, recording or broadcasting except under California Rules of Court 1.150; enforcement by contempt (Code of Civil Procedure §§ 177.5 and 1218); and Appendix 'A', the prohibited items by statute and by order of the Court.
Amended General Order of the Presiding Judge in Re: Photography, Filming, Recording, and Broadcasting (GO-2026-001), Superior Court of California, County of Santa Barbara; posted on the court's Court Orders/Policies/Rules page (https://www.santabarbara.courts.ca.gov/general-information/court-orderspoliciesrules) at https://www.santabarbara.courts.ca.gov/system/files/general/amended-general-order-re-photography-filming-recording-and-broadcasting.pdf, fetched 2026-10-07.
No photographing, recording or broadcasting by the media, attorneys, parties or the public within any courthouse or court facility without the Presiding Judge's prior written authorization, except media coverage a judicial officer permits under rule 1.150, designated media areas and the Sheriff's limited body-worn camera exception (Appendix A); devices carried but not activated; no recording of jurors, judicial officers without a court order, or court employees; requests for exceptions to the Court Executive Officer; posting and service by the Sheriff; and penalties including contempt, sanctions and Penal Code section 166(a)(4) (dated 7/24/2026).
Appendix 5 of the Local Rules: Guidelines for Attorneys Practicing Before the Santa Barbara County Superior Courts, Superior Court of California, County of Santa Barbara; posted on the court's Local Rules page (https://www.santabarbara.courts.ca.gov/forms-filing/local-rules) at https://www.santabarbara.courts.ca.gov/system/files/appendix5.pdf, fetched 2026-10-07.
The court's litigation guidelines, adopted in conjunction with the Santa Barbara County Bar Association and applicable to all proceedings: general principles of civility, alternatives to litigation, courtroom conduct, service of papers, continuances, discovery, and ex parte communications with the court - including electronic communications with a judicial officer only with notice and prior authorization, served simultaneously on opposing counsel (amended, eff. 01-01-07).
Civil Cases (the Civil division page), Superior Court of California, County of Santa Barbara; the court's web page https://www.santabarbara.courts.ca.gov/divisions/civil, fetched 2026-10-07.
Civil filing information: drop boxes Monday through Friday (the Civil Office in Santa Barbara until 5pm, Lompoc until 4pm, Santa Maria 24 hours per day), documents deposited before the end of day (5pm in Santa Barbara and Santa Maria, 4pm in Lompoc) processed as of that court date and later ones as of the next; fee schedules and fee waivers; and where to file limited jurisdiction cases (less than $35,000.: the Anacapa Division, the Lompoc Division or the Santa Maria Cook Division; Solvang matters at Lompoc since 10/14/14) and general jurisdiction cases (greater than $35,000.).
Commissioner Elizabeth Diaz Remote Hearing Exhibit Protocol, Superior Court of California, County of Santa Barbara; posted on the court's Court Orders/Policies/Rules page (https://www.santabarbara.courts.ca.gov/general-information/court-orderspoliciesrules), the court's Zoom Information for Remote Appearances page (https://www.santabarbara.courts.ca.gov/general-information/remote-appearance-zoom-information) and 1 other page at https://www.santabarbara.courts.ca.gov/system/files/general/commissioner-elizabeth-diaz-exhibit-protocol.pdf, fetched 2026-10-07.
For authorized remote evidentiary hearings and trials before Commissioner Diaz (Santa Barbara Dept. 1 and Lompoc Dept. 2): exhibits delivered at least three business days before, the Exhibit List (SC-1043), numbers 1 – 200, 201 – 400 and 401 – 600 for another parent or third party, exchange at least three business days before, additional exhibits as separate .pdf files, and delivery to the secretary in Santa Barbara or to the Clerk's Office in Lompoc or in Santa Maria between 9:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
Countywide Exhibit Protocol for Authorized Remote Appearances Only (revised August 2026), Superior Court of California, County of Santa Barbara; posted on the court's Court Orders/Policies/Rules page (https://www.santabarbara.courts.ca.gov/general-information/court-orderspoliciesrules), the court's Zoom Information for Remote Appearances page (https://www.santabarbara.courts.ca.gov/general-information/remote-appearance-zoom-information) and 1 other page at https://www.santabarbara.courts.ca.gov/system/files/general/civil-remote-exhibit-protocol.pdf, fetched 2026-10-07.
For the civil departments SM 1, SM 2, SM 4, SB 3, SB 4 and SB 5: hard copies of all exhibits delivered at least three business days before the hearing or trial, the Exhibit List (SC-1043) first, Petitioner/Plaintiff numbers 1 – 200 and Respondent/Defendant 201 – 400, divider sheets or a tabbed binder, exchange at least five business days before, additional exhibits as separate .pdf files named by case number, caption, party role, exhibit number and description, no CDs, DVDs or QR codes, and delivery in person or by carrier (never the drop box).
Court Reporters (the Court Reporting Services page), Superior Court of California, County of Santa Barbara; the court's web page https://www.santabarbara.courts.ca.gov/general-information/court-reporting-services, fetched 2026-10-07.
Official court reporters normally available in felony criminal, juvenile, family support and mental health matters, and since March 25, 2024 (Administrative Order 2024-0322) none for evidentiary hearings, court trials and jury trials in civil, family law, and probate matters except Family Support; fee-waiver requests on SC-1048 at least 10 days before the proceeding; electronic recordings requested on SC-1006 and transcripts on SC-1044; reporter notes retention; and reporters pro tempore (SC-1046; the pre-approved list, SC-1047).
Criminal Jurisdiction (the Criminal division page), Superior Court of California, County of Santa Barbara; the court's web page https://www.santabarbara.courts.ca.gov/divisions/criminal, fetched 2026-10-07.
Criminal calendar information: clerks may advance but not extend arraignment and hearing dates; no walk-in arraignments - a warranted case calendared by 12:00 pm the day before and other requests at least two days before; the warrant recalled only on appearance; fine payments, increased penalties of up to $100 and installment plans on the Installment Payment Plan Agreement; a drop box for traffic and criminal payments between 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m., processed the next day; and what to bring to an arraignment.
Department 3 (Judge Thomas P. Anderle) Guidelines for Expert Witnesses Depositions and Trial, Superior Court of California, County of Santa Barbara; the court's web page https://www.santabarbara.courts.ca.gov/general-information/judicial-assignments/department-3-guidelines, fetched 2026-10-07.
Department 3's guidelines: expert reports and files produced no later than five (5) days before the expert's deposition, plaintiff's experts deposed first, rebuttal testimony identified within 10 business days and made available 10 calendar days before the first trial call; jury trial submissions seven (7), five (5) and four (4) calendar days before the trial call; the pretrial conference and its tentative order; court trial rules; and objections to the guidelines within thirty days.
Department Five (Judge Colleen K. Sterne) Departmental Requirements and Procedures, Superior Court of California, County of Santa Barbara; posted on the court's Judicial Assignments page (https://www.santabarbara.courts.ca.gov/general-information/judicial-assignments) at https://www.santabarbara.courts.ca.gov/system/files/general/department-5-requirements-and-procedures.pdf, fetched 2026-10-07.
Department Five's calendar (civil case management and law and motion on Monday, trials Tuesday to Friday, probate, mental health and CARE Act matters on Thursday, civil mandatory settlement conferences on Friday); ex parte matters at 8:30 a.m. except Mondays; pretrial preparation - the evidence binder's table of contents, witness list, trial brief and in limine motions five court days before the Trial Confirmation Conference and a joint evidence binder three court days before; trial rules on depositions, time, the order of proof, etiquette, objections, witnesses, recordings, interpreters and exhibits; and jury trials - CACI instructions, six peremptory challenges, the 6-pack, voir dire and jury fees posted 25 days before trial.
Information About Remote Appearances for Civil, Probate, and Family Cases, Superior Court of California, County of Santa Barbara; posted on the court's Zoom Information for Remote Appearances page (https://www.santabarbara.courts.ca.gov/general-information/remote-appearance-zoom-information) and the court's Zoom Information for Remote Appearances page (https://www.santabarbara.courts.ca.gov/general-information/zoom-information-remote-appearances) at https://www.santabarbara.courts.ca.gov/system/files/general/information-remote-appearances.pdf, fetched 2026-10-07.
The proceedings that require personal appearance in all civil departments (court and jury trials, evidentiary hearings, small claims, judgment debtor exams, North County mandatory settlement conferences and unlawful detainer proceedings, North County Department SM 2 family law and motion), requests to appear by Zoom on local form SC-2073, the proceedings in which a Zoom appearance is optional without form RA-010, and the department secretaries' numbers.
Interpreters/Language Access, Superior Court of California, County of Santa Barbara; the court's web page https://www.santabarbara.courts.ca.gov/general-information/interpreters-language-access, fetched 2026-10-07.
Free interpreters in juvenile, criminal and traffic cases and, if available, in civil matters within the priorities of Evidence Code § 756; a request on form INT-300 filed at least one week before the court date, e-filed except by self-represented court users, with the attorney of record giving the Court a 72-hour notice if the party will not be present; sign language interpreters for any hearing; certified, registered and provisionally qualified interpreters; and complaints.
Juvenile Court (the Juvenile page), Superior Court of California, County of Santa Barbara; the court's web page https://www.santabarbara.courts.ca.gov/divisions/juvenile, fetched 2026-10-07.
Juvenile case information is confidential and none is provided by telephone; transfer-in hearings under Rule 5.610(f)(2) of the CA Rules of Court are held at the Juvenile Courthouse, 4285 California Blvd., Ste. B, Santa Maria - delinquency on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays at 8:30 a.m. and dependency on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 1:30 p.m., Courtroom SMJ1; and the juvenile offices' contact information.
Order No. 2025-01: Countywide Consolidation of Juvenile Operations, Superior Court of California, County of Santa Barbara; posted on the court's Countywide Consolidation of Juvenile Operations page (https://www.santabarbara.courts.ca.gov/news/countywide-consolidation-juvenile-operations) at https://www.santabarbara.courts.ca.gov/system/files/general/juvcountywideconsolidation.pdf, fetched 2026-10-07.
After the court's notice of October 28, 2024 and the comment period that ended December 27, 2024 (Government Code §68106), all juvenile matters arising in the court's jurisdiction are filed and heard at the juvenile justice facility at 4285 California Blvd., Santa Maria, CA unless otherwise ordered.
Parking Violation Appeal Process (SC-7012a), Superior Court of California, County of Santa Barbara; posted on the court's Santa Barbara Superior Court Forms page (https://www.santabarbara.courts.ca.gov/forms-filing/local-forms) and the court's Santa Barbara Superior Court Forms page (https://www.santabarbara.courts.ca.gov/forms-filing/santa-barbara-superior-court-forms) at https://www.santabarbara.courts.ca.gov/system/files/sc7012a.pdf, fetched 2026-10-07.
Appeal of an agency's final decision on a contested parking violation: the Notice of Appeal – Parking form filed within thirty (30) days with a $25 filing fee (Vehicle Code section 40230), service on the agency and the Proof of Service filed at least ten (10) days before the hearing, the agency's case file and citation as evidence, and the Clerk's mailing of the decision; forms SC-7012 and SC-7013.
Probate (the Probate division page), Superior Court of California, County of Santa Barbara; the court's web page https://www.santabarbara.courts.ca.gov/divisions/probate, fetched 2026-10-07.
The probate calendars - South County on Thursdays at 9:00 am in Dept. SB 5 of the Anacapa Division; North County on Mondays at 8:30 am in Dept. SM 4, Tuesdays at 9:00 am in Dept. SM 2 and Wednesdays at 8:30 am in Dept. SM 1 of the Cook Division; probate notes posted approximately one week before the hearing, deficiencies cured by verified supplements or amendments (local rule 1721(c)(2)(2)), documents later than 5:00 p.m. three (3) court days before the hearing possibly not considered, continuances under Local Rule 1722(a)(1); clarification of a posted note by e-mail to the Probate Examiner, for South County cases only; the probate facilitator, court investigators and probate referees; and attachments, amendments, supplements, continuances and objections.
Santa Maria Department SM 1 Policies and Procedures (revised 08/27/2026), Superior Court of California, County of Santa Barbara; posted on the court's Judicial Assignments page (https://www.santabarbara.courts.ca.gov/general-information/judicial-assignments) at https://www.santabarbara.courts.ca.gov/system/files/local-rules/department-sm-1-policies-and-procedures.pdf, fetched 2026-10-07.
Department SM1's calendar (evidentiary hearings and trials with personal appearances; Wednesday adoptions, case management conferences, probate and civil law and motion with Zoom authorized; Thursday family law and motion; Friday small claims appeals); a Zoom request on local Form SC-2073 at least 10 calendar days before; civil and family ex parte matters; courtroom etiquette; tentative rulings posted by 5:00 p.m. the day before; case management and mandatory settlement conferences; non-jury and jury trial filings five (5) court days before trial with courtesy copies to SM1Continue@sbcourts.org; exhibits, witnesses and court reporters.
Santa Maria Department SM 2 (Judge James F. Rigali) Policies and Procedures (revised 04/08/2025), Superior Court of California, County of Santa Barbara; posted on the court's Judicial Assignments page (https://www.santabarbara.courts.ca.gov/general-information/judicial-assignments) at https://www.santabarbara.courts.ca.gov/system/files/local-rules/department-sm-2-policies-and-procedures.pdf, fetched 2026-10-07.
Department SM2's calendar (Monday case management conferences, Tuesday civil law and motion and probate with Zoom authorized, Wednesday family law and motion, Thursday adoptions and Friday unlawful detainers with personal appearances, and evidentiary hearings and trials); a Zoom request on local Form SC-2073 at least 10 calendar days before; ex parte matters; tentative rulings posted by 5:00 p.m. the day before; case management and mandatory settlement conferences; trial filings five (5) court days before with courtesy copies to SM2Continue@sbcourts.org; exhibits, witnesses and court reporters.
Santa Maria Department SM 4 (Judge Jed Beebe) Policies and Procedures, Superior Court of California, County of Santa Barbara; posted on the court's Judicial Assignments page (https://www.santabarbara.courts.ca.gov/general-information/judicial-assignments) at https://www.santabarbara.courts.ca.gov/system/files/local-rules/department-sm-4-policies-and-procedures.pdf, fetched 2026-10-07.
Department SM4's calendar (Monday adoption and probate matters, Tuesday family law and motion with Zoom authorized, Wednesday case management conferences, Friday small claims and collections, and evidentiary hearings and trials); civil ex parte hearings with the moving party's personal appearance; probate notes posted by 5:00 p.m. the day before; case management and mandatory settlement conferences, settlement conference statements five court days before (CRC 3.1380(c) and Local Rule 1423); trial briefs, exhibit lists, witness lists and jury instructions three (3) court days before trial with courtesy copies to SM4Continue@sbcourts.org; a six-pack system for jury selection; exhibits and court reporters.
Standing Order Re: Appointment of Minor’s Counsel, Superior Court of California, County of Santa Barbara; posted on the court's Court Orders/Policies/Rules page (https://www.santabarbara.courts.ca.gov/general-information/court-orderspoliciesrules) at https://www.santabarbara.courts.ca.gov/system/files/general/standing-order-re-appointment-minors-counsel.pdf, fetched 2026-10-07.
Appointment of counsel for a minor child in custody and visitation proceedings under Family Code section 3150 and CRC 5.240, 5.241 and 5.242: the eight factors the court considers, listed in the Order to Appoint Minor’s Counsel; and, where the court pays, an Income and Expense Declaration, reimbursement reviews at 30/60/90-day increments with declarations five (5) court days before, the court rate of $100.00 per hour and $50 per hour for support staff, a maximum of $3000.00 a case unless modified for good cause, notice to the Presiding Judge above $100,000 in a fiscal year, written requests for additional compensation, and the status of fees at every hearing (dated 7/31/2026).
Zoom Information for Civil/Family/Probate, Superior Court of California, County of Santa Barbara; posted on the court's Court Orders/Policies/Rules page (https://www.santabarbara.courts.ca.gov/general-information/court-orderspoliciesrules), the court's Zoom Information for Remote Appearances page (https://www.santabarbara.courts.ca.gov/general-information/remote-appearance-zoom-information) and 1 other page at https://www.santabarbara.courts.ca.gov/system/files/general/zoom-information-civil.pdf, fetched 2026-10-07.
Each civil courtroom's Zoom meeting - Departments SB 3, SB 4 and SB 5 (Anacapa Division), SM 1, SM 2 and SM 4 (Cook Division) and the Family Support Commissioner (Dept. SB 1 and Lompoc Dept. 2) - with the remote hearing instructions: log on at least 5 minutes before the hearing, display the legal name used on the court paperwork, a quiet stationary location, no recording or screenshots, appropriate dress, and interpreters on separate devices.
Chapter Eight: Grand Jury & Trial Jury Selection, Local Rules of the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Barbara (current local rules effective January 1, 2025); the court's Local Rules page (https://www.santabarbara.courts.ca.gov/forms-filing/local-rules), fetched 2026-10-07.
Chapter Eight (Rules 800 to 803): grand jury selection under Penal Code sections 896 – 908.2 by supervisorial district and random drawings (Rule 800); trial jury venires drawn from the South County or North County region (Rule 801); notice to the Jury Commissioner of a civil settlement no later than 3:00 p.m. on the court day before trial, or forfeiture of the jury fee deposit and liability for the jurors' costs (Rule 802); Rule 803 is reserved.
Chapter Eighteen: Small Claims Rules, Local Rules of the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Barbara (current local rules effective January 1, 2025); the court's Local Rules page (https://www.santabarbara.courts.ca.gov/forms-filing/local-rules), fetched 2026-10-07.
Chapter Eighteen: mediation or other alternative dispute resolution in any small claims action on the parties' request or in the court's discretion (Rule 1801); Rules 1800 and 1802 are repealed.
Chapter Eleven: Alternative Dispute Resolution (“ADR”), Local Rules of the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Barbara (current local rules effective January 1, 2025); the court's Local Rules page (https://www.santabarbara.courts.ca.gov/forms-filing/local-rules), fetched 2026-10-07.
Chapter Eleven (Rules 1100 to 1104): the ADR Committee (Rule 1100); the Court Administered Dispute Resolution (CADRe) Program Information and a Stipulation and Order to Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Process form served with complaints, and a consultation with CADRe staff within ten (10) court days of the 120-day CMC (Rule 1101); the court's determination of the amount in controversy - judicial arbitration or CADRe Limited Mediation up to $50,000, a CMADRESS conference with a court-appointed neutral above it (the first 1.5 hours free), mandatory settlement conferences, stipulations filed within ten (10) court days and personal attendance (Rule 1102); the ADR process within sixty (60) calendar days of the ADR Stipulation and the neutral's ADR-100 within ten (10) court days (Rule 1103); and complaints about court program mediators (Rule 1104).
Chapter Fifteen: Family Court Services, Local Rules of the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Barbara (current local rules effective January 1, 2025); the court's Local Rules page (https://www.santabarbara.courts.ca.gov/forms-filing/local-rules), fetched 2026-10-07.
Chapter Fifteen (Rules 1500 to 1508): the Family Law Facilitator (Rule 1500); mediation by Family Court Services required before any hearing on contested custody or visitation (Rule 1501); confidentiality (Rule 1502); scheduling - a Notice of Mediation (Local Form SC-4042) filed and served within three (3) court days of the appointment, a Notice of Cancellation (Local Form SC-4017) within seven (7) calendar days and cancellation no less than seven (7) calendar days before, disputes, agreements, reports and sanctions (Rule 1503); participants - children six (6) years of age and older, counsel, and interpreters the party provides (Rule 1504); prohibitions and sanctions (Rule 1505); custody evaluations under CRC 5.220 to 5.235 (Rule 1506); the PEACE parent education program, its timing, failure to attend and exceptions (Rule 1507); and co-parenting programs (Rule 1508).
Chapter Five: Court Budgets, Finance & Fiscal Services, Local Rules of the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Barbara (current local rules effective January 1, 2025); the court's Local Rules page (https://www.santabarbara.courts.ca.gov/forms-filing/local-rules), fetched 2026-10-07.
Chapter Five (Rules 500 to 504): the fees and service charges schedule, which has the force of a rule of court once adopted and authorized (Rule 500, CRC 10.815); payment by personal check, cashier's check, draft, money order or credit card, and returned checks (Rule 501); fine deferment and payment plans on a completed application with a nominal fee (Rule 502); collections contracts (Rule 503); and interest on trust funds (Rule 504).
Chapter Four: Officers & Personnel, Local Rules of the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Barbara (current local rules effective January 1, 2025); the court's Local Rules page (https://www.santabarbara.courts.ca.gov/forms-filing/local-rules), fetched 2026-10-07.
Chapter Four (Rules 400 to 402): the personnel plan (Rule 400); written complaints against subordinate judicial officers to the Presiding Judge, their required contents, and closure after preliminary review of complaints about a ruling or the exercise of discretion (Rule 401, CRC 10.703); and the court's Conflict of Interest Code with its designated classifications and disclosure categories (Rule 402).
Chapter Fourteen: Family Law Rules, Local Rules of the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Barbara (current local rules effective January 1, 2025); the court's Local Rules page (https://www.santabarbara.courts.ca.gov/forms-filing/local-rules), fetched 2026-10-07.
Chapter Fourteen: scope (Rule 1400); court organization (Rule 1404); ex parte applications - disfavored, decided on the papers, a hearing date by telephone to the department, notice under CRC 5.151 and 5.165, and moving papers served and filed by 1:00 p.m. on the court day before the hearing (Rules 1405 to 1408); residence exclusion, stay away and custody orders (Rule 1410); requests for order on the assigned department's calendar, at least five (5) court days after a required mediation (Rule 1411); filing and service (Rule 1412); hearings of fifteen (15) minutes, continuances on Local Form SC-4032 and form FL-307 (Rule 1413); orders after hearing (Rule 1414); the temporary spousal support formula, 40% of the payor's net income minus 50% of the payee's (Rule 1415); support calculation declarations and the Xspouse program (Rule 1418); financial document exchange, verified on Local Forms SC-4028 or SC-4029 (Rule 1419); case management - a first conference within 180 days, the Family Law Information Statement (Local Form SC-4026) 15 calendar days before, Local Forms SC-4014 and SC-4030 (Rule 1421); settlement conferences and statements five court days before (Rule 1423); trial (Rule 1424); and judgments (Rule 1425).
Chapter Nine: Court Calendars & Distribution of Cases, Local Rules of the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Barbara (current local rules effective January 1, 2025); the court's Local Rules page (https://www.santabarbara.courts.ca.gov/forms-filing/local-rules), fetched 2026-10-07.
Chapter Nine (Rules 900 to 904): the direct calendar system, cases assigned to one department for all purposes (Rule 900); the weekly schedule of judicial assignments and the next day's calendar posted by 4:00 p.m. every court day (Rule 901); after-hours duty judicial officers (Rule 902); protective and child custody orders - checking for prior orders, coexisting orders and modification (Rule 903); and judicial assistance (Rule 904).
Chapter Nineteen: Criminal Rules, Local Rules of the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Barbara (current local rules effective January 1, 2025); the court's Local Rules page (https://www.santabarbara.courts.ca.gov/forms-filing/local-rules), fetched 2026-10-07.
Chapter Nineteen: filing deadlines for criminal complaints - in-custody arraignments filed no later than 12:00 p.m. on the last day the arraignment must be heard, out-of-custody arraignments no later than 4:00 p.m. two business days before (Rule 1900); pre-trial services by the Santa Barbara County Probation Department, Pretrial Services Unit (Rule 1902); mandatory appearances under Penal Code § 977 (Rule 1904); and special custody arraignment sessions (Rule 1906). Rules 1901, 1903, 1905, 1907 and 1908 are repealed.
Chapter One: Court Rules Administration, Local Rules of the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Barbara (current local rules effective January 1, 2025); the court's Local Rules page (https://www.santabarbara.courts.ca.gov/forms-filing/local-rules), fetched 2026-10-07.
Chapter One (Rules 100 to 102): the rules' authority (Code of Civil Procedure section 575.1, CRC 10.613 and Government Code sections 68070, et seq.) (Rule 100); amendment only by a majority vote of the judges present at a noticed meeting (Rule 101); and sanctions for non-compliance - striking pleadings, dismissal, default or lesser penalties and reasonable expenses, only after notice and an opportunity to be heard, imposed on counsel where the failure is counsel's (Rule 102).
Chapter Seven: Legal & Professional Services & Fees, Local Rules of the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Barbara (current local rules effective January 1, 2025); the court's Local Rules page (https://www.santabarbara.courts.ca.gov/forms-filing/local-rules), fetched 2026-10-07.
Chapter Seven: the Court Service Vendor Rate & Fee Schedule for court-appointed experts and service providers, fee exceptions by written order of the appointing judge and who pays (Rule 700); fees beyond the schedule in the court's discretion (Rule 702); court-appointed counsel for indigent defendants - an itemized statement (an original plus two copies) with an attorney fee order at the conclusion of the proceedings and the court's determination (Rule 703); financial information collected by appointed counsel (Rule 704); and the schedule of reasonable attorney fees in default cases, $1000.00 in unlawful detainer defaults, with applications for a different award under CRC 3.1800(a)(9) (Rule 707). Rules 701, 705 and 706 are reserved.
Chapter Seventeen: Probate Rules, Local Rules of the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Barbara (current local rules effective January 1, 2025); the court's Local Rules page (https://www.santabarbara.courts.ca.gov/forms-filing/local-rules), fetched 2026-10-07.
Chapter Seventeen: scope (Rule 1700; Rules 1701 to 1714 repealed); hearings - filing in the division under Local Rule 203, appearances unless recommended for approval in the examination notes, notes posted on the court's website, supplements and objections (Rule 1721); continuances requested at least three (3) court days before the hearing (Rule 1722); ex parte requests with and without appearance and special administrators (Rule 1723); orders, proposed orders submitted by noon at least five court days before the hearing (Rule 1724); related cases (Rule 1725); petitions for instructions, overhead costs, sales (a 6% commission limit; Local Form SC-6004), probate referees and funds disbursed to minors (Rules 1731 to 1735); accounts (Rules 1741 to 1744); decedents' estates (Rules 1751 to 1755); spousal property petitions (Rule 1761); conservatorships (Rules 1771 to 1774); guardianship accountings and investments (Rule 1781); and trust proceedings (Rule 1791).
Chapter Six: Court Facilities, Access & Security, Local Rules of the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Barbara (current local rules effective January 1, 2025); the court's Local Rules page (https://www.santabarbara.courts.ca.gov/forms-filing/local-rules), fetched 2026-10-07.
Chapter Six: the Sheriff as Court Security Officer (the chapter's first, unnumbered rule); the court security plan (Rule 601); bailiff services under the presiding judicial officer's direction (Rule 602); public access and the court's control of courtrooms and corridors, notice to the news media before limiting their activities and written requests to modify an order (Rule 603); closure of court proceedings - a written notice of motion at least two (2) court days before the hearing (Rule 604); Rule 605 is reserved.
Chapter Sixteen: Mental Health Rules, Local Rules of the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Barbara (current local rules effective January 1, 2025); the court's Local Rules page (https://www.santabarbara.courts.ca.gov/forms-filing/local-rules), fetched 2026-10-07.
Chapter Sixteen (Rules 1601 to 1608): capacity hearings for involuntary medication - petitions filed by 4:45 p.m. with the Clerk or the Deputy Clerk at the Psychiatric Health Facility, the hearing days, postponements, determinations, appeals and hearing officers (Rules 1601 to 1604); and certification review hearings for involuntarily detained patients - the Notice of Certification, hearings within four (4) days, postponement up to forty-eight (48) hours, determinations, appeals and hearing officers (Rules 1605 to 1608).
Chapter Ten: General Court Procedures, Local Rules of the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Barbara (current local rules effective January 1, 2025); the court's Local Rules page (https://www.santabarbara.courts.ca.gov/forms-filing/local-rules), fetched 2026-10-07.
Chapter Ten (Rules 1000 to 1012): case disposition time standards (Rule 1000); continuances only by order, not on stipulation alone (Rule 1001); scheduling with the Clerk's approval (Rule 1002); time estimates (Rule 1003); attendance of parties and witnesses (Rule 1004); remote appearances, including Zoom, under Code of Civil Procedure section 367.75 and CRC 3.670 and 3.672, at least five minutes before the hearing (Rule 1005); court reporting services (Rule 1006); voluminous documents and administrative records - 25 megabytes a document, numbered volumes and confidential versions (Rule 1007); fax filing and the court's fax numbers, with fees by credit card (Rule 1008); ex parte applications under CRC 3.1200-3.1207, papers filed and served by 10:00 a.m. on the court day before the hearing (Rule 1009); records access (Rule 1010); at most two (2) conformed copies of a document not e-filed (Rule 1011); and mandatory e-filing and e-service in civil, small claims, family law and probate cases with its exceptions (Rule 1012).
Chapter Thirteen: General Civil Court Procedures, Local Rules of the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Barbara (current local rules effective January 1, 2025); the court's Local Rules page (https://www.santabarbara.courts.ca.gov/forms-filing/local-rules), fetched 2026-10-07.
Chapter Thirteen (Rules 1300 to 1310): law and motion calendaring in the assigned department (Rule 1300); tentative rulings under CRC 3.1308 by telephone and, at the judicial officer's option, on the court's website not later than 3:00 p.m. on the court day before the hearing, with the departments' numbers (Rule 1301); judgment debtor examinations - form EJ-125, proof of service at least three (3) court days before, continuances, failures to appear and warrants under Code of Civil Procedure section 1993 (Rule 1303); uncontested matters - stipulations decided in chambers, clerk's defaults on form CIV-100, court judgments by declaration or live testimony and unlawful detainer defaults (Rule 1307); remand from federal court, a declaration within 30 days (Rule 1308); civil litigation administration - an all-purpose judge, a CMC 120 calendar days after filing and CMC statements 15 calendar days before it (Rule 1309); and the Civil Case Cover Sheet Addendum (form SC-2069) (Rule 1310).
Chapter Three: Court Organization & Management, Local Rules of the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Barbara (current local rules effective January 1, 2025); the court's Local Rules page (https://www.santabarbara.courts.ca.gov/forms-filing/local-rules), fetched 2026-10-07.
Chapter Three (Rules 300 to 303): meetings of the judges (Rule 300); the Presiding Judge and an Assistant Presiding Judge elected by secret ballot at a September meeting, from different regions, for concurrent two-year terms, the Assistant Presiding Judge succeeding the Presiding Judge (Rule 301); judicial vacation and two personal leave days a year (Rule 302); and the Executive Officer, who also serves as Clerk of the Court and as Jury Commissioner (Rule 303).
Chapter Twelve: Appellate Division, Local Rules of the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Barbara (current local rules effective January 1, 2025); the court's Local Rules page (https://www.santabarbara.courts.ca.gov/forms-filing/local-rules), fetched 2026-10-07.
Chapter Twelve (Rules 1200 to 1210): appeals heard by panels of three judges, traffic infraction appeals by one (Rule 1200); the original trial court file in place of a clerk's transcript (Rule 1201); official electronic recordings (Rule 1202); transmission of records (Rule 1203); proceedings by videoconference unless otherwise ordered, and waiver of oral argument (Rule 1206); briefs - electronic format, binding at the top left corner, attachments and Wende briefs (Rule 1208); a proposed order with every motion, request and application (Rule 1209); and mandatory e-filing in limited civil appeals (Rule 1210).
Chapter Twenty-One: Traffic Cases, Local Rules of the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Barbara (current local rules effective January 1, 2025); the court's Local Rules page (https://www.santabarbara.courts.ca.gov/forms-filing/local-rules), fetched 2026-10-07.
Chapter Twenty-One (Rules 2100 to 2109): filings and court sessions in the Traffic Division (Rule 2100); the Clerk's ministerial authority (Rule 2101) and extensions of not more than thirty (30) calendar days (Rule 2102); appearance between twenty-one (21) and forty five (45) calendar days after the notice to appear, arraignments and trial continuances (Rule 2103); traffic school (Rule 2105); trial by written declaration (Rules 2106 and 2107); failure to appear or pay - a civil assessment, a ten dollar ($10) fee and a DMV hold (Rule 2107); the clerks' authority in infraction cases - bail waivers, reopening forfeitures, extensions, a payment plan for a $35 fee, late traffic violator school (Rule 2108); and judicial review by written declaration (Rule 2109).
Chapter Twenty: Juvenile Cases, Local Rules of the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Barbara (current local rules effective January 1, 2025); the court's Local Rules page (https://www.santabarbara.courts.ca.gov/forms-filing/local-rules), fetched 2026-10-07.
Chapter Twenty (Rules 2001 to 2011): the juvenile court presiding judge (Rule 2001); detention facilities, transportation of minors and information at delivery (Rules 2002 to 2004); Probation Department release and detention decisions (Rule 2005); filing juvenile petitions and intercounty transfers (Rule 2007); probation and social services reports (Rule 2008); court-appointed counsel in dependency cases under CRC 5.660 (Rule 2009); Court-Appointed Special Advocates, their reports filed two court days before a hearing (Rule 2010); and pretrial conferences and discovery (Rule 2011).
Chapter Two: Court Jurisdictions & Venue, Local Rules of the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Barbara (current local rules effective January 1, 2025); the court's Local Rules page (https://www.santabarbara.courts.ca.gov/forms-filing/local-rules), fetched 2026-10-07.
Chapter Two (Rules 200 to 204): geographic jurisdiction (Rule 200); the two regions, “South County” and “North County”, and the line between them (Rule 201, with the map of Appendix 1); the divisions - Santa Maria, Lompoc, Solvang, Santa Barbara, Juvenile and Appellate (Rule 202); venue - filings for matters with North County venue in the Clerk's office in North County and all others in South County, cases on specific real property (CEQA, the Williamson Act, title, use or regulation) filed where the property lies, the division designated in electronic filings and transfers between divisions (Rule 203); and filing and the location of hearings (Rule 204).