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Rule 18 (18.1 to 18.10): the Court Appointed Special Advocate program under Welfare and Institutions Code §§100-110 and Rule 5.655 (18.1); special advocates - appointment, functions and the oath (18.2); the release of information and access to the case file (18.4); timely notice of motions (18.5); calendar priority (18.6); visitation (18.7); family law advocacy (18.8); the right to appear (18.9); and CASA reports submitted at least (5) five Court days before the hearing and served at least two (2) Court days before it (18.10).
California > Third Appellate District > Butte County > Superior Court of California, County of Butte
LOCAL RULE 18 COURT APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATE PROGRAM (CASA) (Effective 1/1/01, as amended 1/1/02, as amended 7/1/11, as amended 7/1/16, as amended 7/1/19, as amended 7/1/20) 18.1 ADOPTION OF COURT APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATE PROGRAM (Effective date 1/1/01, as amended 7/1/16, as amended 7/1/19) A. The Court hereby adopts the guidelines for Court appointed Special Advocate programs (CASAs) set forth in Welfare and Institutions Code §§100-110 and California Rule of Court 5.655, as well as the policy and procedures manual of the Butte County Court Appointed Special Advocate Program, as a Butte County Superior Court Local Rules, Rule of Court applicable to the CASA and the guidelines are incorporated herein by this reference. B. THE CASA. The Court may appoint Special Advocates to represent the interests of dependent children, nonminor dependents, or wards who are subject to the jurisdiction of the Juvenile Court. In order to qualify for appointment, the Special Advocate must be trained by and function under the auspices of a CASA, formed and operating under the guidelines established by the National Court Appointed Special Advocate Association. C. The CASA shall report regularly to the Presiding Judge of the Juvenile Court with evidence that it is operating under the guidelines established by the National Court Appointed Special Advocate Association and the California State Guidelines for child, nonminor dependent, or ward who are subject to the jurisdiction of the Juvenile Court Special Advocates. (Effective date 1/1/01, as amended 7/1/16, as amended 7/1/19) 18.2 SPECIAL ADVOCATES (Effective date 1/1/01, as amended 7/1/16, as amended 7/1/19) A. Special Advocates serve at the discretion of the Court having jurisdiction over the proceeding in which the Special Advocate has been appointed. B. CONFIDENTIAL PERSONNEL FILE. The Special Advocate’s personnel file is confidential. No one may have access to the personnel file except the volunteer, the CASA program director or a designee, or the Presiding Judge of the Juvenile Court. C. FUNCTIONS. In general, a Special Advocate‘s functions are as follows: 1. To support the child, nonminor dependent, or ward who are subject to the jurisdiction of the Juvenile Court throughout the Court proceedings; 2. To establish a relationship with the child, nonminor dependent, or ward who are subject to the jurisdiction of the Juvenile Court to better understand his or her particular needs and desires; 3. To communicate the child’s, nonminor dependent’s, or ward’s needs and desires to the Court in written reports and recommendations; 4. To identify and explore potential resources which will facilitate early family reunification or alternative permanency planning; 5. To provide continuous attention to the child’s, nonminor dependent’s, or ward’s situation to ensure that the Court’s plans for the child, nonminor dependent, or ward who are subject to the jurisdiction of the Juvenile Court are being implemented; 6. To the fullest extent possible, to communicate and coordinate efforts with the case manager (probation officer or social worker) 7. To the fullest extent possible, to communicate and coordinate efforts with the attorney for the child, nonminor dependent, or ward who are subject to the jurisdiction of the Juvenile Court; and 8. To represent the interests of the child, nonminor dependent, or ward who are subject to the jurisdiction of the Juvenile Court in other judicial or administrative proceedings. D. SWORN OFFICER OF THE COURT. A Special Advocate is an officer of the Court and is bound by these Rules. Each Special Advocate shall be sworn in by a Judge or Court Commissioner before beginning his or her duties, and shall subscribe to a written oath. E. SPECIFIC DUTIES. In its initial order of appointment, and thereafter in subsequent orders as appropriate, the Court may specifically delineate the Special Advocate’s duties in each case, including interviewing and observing the child, nonminor dependent, or ward who are subject to the jurisdiction of the Juvenile Court and other appropriate individuals, reviewing appropriate records and reports, consideration of visitation rights for the grandparents of the child, nonminor dependent, or ward who are subject to the jurisdiction of the Juvenile Court and other relatives, and reporting back directly to the Court as indicated. If no specific duties are outlined by the Court order, the Special Advocate shall discharge his or her obligation to the child, nonminor dependent, or ward who are subject to the jurisdiction of the Juvenile Court and the Court in accordance with the functions set forth herein. (Effective date 1/1/01, as amended 7/1/16, as amended 7/1/19) 18.3 RESERVED (Effective date 1/1/01) 18.4 RELEASE OF INFORMATION TO SPECIAL ADVOCATE (Effective date 1/1/01, as amended 7/1/16, as amended 7/1/19, as amended 7/1/20) A. TO ACCOMPLISH APPOINTMENT. To accomplish the appointment of a Special Advocate, the Judge or Commissioner making the appointment shall sign an order granting the Special Advocate the authority to review specific relevant documents and interview parties involved in the case, as well as other persons having significant information relating to the child, nonminor dependent, or ward who are subject to the jurisdiction of the Juvenile Court, to the same extent as any other officer appointed to investigate proceedings on behalf of the Court. B. ACCESS TO RECORDS. A Special Advocate shall have the same legal right to records relating to the child he or she is appointed to represent as any case manager (social worker or probation officer) with regard to records pertaining to the child held by any agency, school, organization, division or department of the State, physician, surgeon, nurse, other health care provider, psychologist, psychiatrist, mental health provider or law enforcement agency. The Special Advocate shall present his or her identification as a Court Appointed Special Advocate to any such record holder in support of his or her request for access to specific records. No consent from the parent or guardian is necessary for the Special Advocate to have access to any records relating to the child. This Access to Records section does not apply to the records of or pertaining to a nonminor dependent. The Special Advocate may have access to those records only with the explicit written and informed consent of the nonminor dependent. C. SUPERIOR COURT CASE FILE. 1. Pursuant to California Rules of Court, Rule 5.655(b)(1)(D) and as authorized under Welfare & Institutions Code §103(h)(i), CASA Special Advocates shall be provided access to the Court Case File on which they were appointed. Means of access shall be as defined in a Memorandum of Understanding between the Court and the CASA program. 2. In addition to the provisions in (1), access to a nonminor’s Superior Court case file requires consent of the nonminor and approval of the Presiding Judge of the Juvenile Court or his/her designee. D. CONFIDENTIALITY. All information concerning children and families, including nonminors, in the Juvenile Court process is confidential. The CASA volunteers must not give case information to anyone other than the Court, the parties and their attorneys, and CASA staff. E. REPORT OF ABUSE. The CASA volunteers are required by law (Penal Code § 11166 et seq.) to report any reasonable suspicion that a child is a victim of child abuse or serious neglect as described by Penal Code § 273a. F. COMMUNICATION. There shall be ongoing, regular communication concerning the child’s, nonminor dependent’s or ward’s best interests, current status, and significant case developments, maintained among the Special Advocate, case manager, attorney for the child, nonminor dependent, or wards who are subject to the jurisdiction of the Juvenile Court, attorneys for parents, relatives, foster parents, and any therapist for the child, nonminor dependent, or wards who are subject to the jurisdiction of the Juvenile Court. (Effective date 1/1/01, as amended 7/1/16, as amended 7/1/19, as amended 7/1/20) 18.5 RIGHT TO TIMELY NOTICE (Effective date 1/1/01, renumbered 7/1/11, as amended 7/1/16) A. The moving party shall provide the Special Advocate timely notice of any motions concerning a child, nonminor dependent, or ward who are subject to the jurisdiction of the Juvenile Court for whom a Special Advocate has been appointed. (Effective date 1/1/01, renumbered 7/1/11, as amended 7/1/16) 18.6 CALENDAR PRIORITY (Effective date 1/1/01, renumbered 7/1/11, as amended 7/1/16) A. In light of the fact that Special Advocates are rendering a volunteer service to children, nonminor dependents, or wards who are subject to the jurisdiction of the Juvenile Court, matters on which they appear should be granted priority on the Court’s calendar, whenever possible. (Effective date 1/1/01, renumbered 7/1/11, as amended 7/1/16) 18.7 VISITATION THROUGH DEPENDENCY (Effective date 1/1/01, renumbered 7/1/11, as amended 7/1/16) A. A Special Advocate shall regularly visit the child, nonminor dependent, or ward who are subject to the jurisdiction of the Juvenile Court to whose case he or she has been appointed. The Special Advocate shall monitor the case as appropriate until dependency is dismissed. (Effective date 1/1/01, renumbered 7/1/11, as amended 7/1/16) 18.8 FAMILY LAW ADVOCACY (Effective date 1/1/01, renumbered 7/1/11) A. Should the Court dismiss dependency and create family law orders pursuant to Welfare and Institutions Code §362.4, the Special Advocate’s appointment may be continued in the family law proceeding, in which case the Court order shall set forth the nature, extent and duration of the Special Advocate’s duties in the family law proceeding. (Effective date 1/1/01, renumbered 7/1/11) 18.9 RIGHT TO APPEAR (Effective date 1/1/01, renumbered 7/1/11) A. A Special Advocate shall have the right to be present and be heard at all Court hearings, and shall not be subject to exclusion by virtue of the fact that he or she may be called to testify at some point in the proceedings. A Special Advocate shall not be deemed to be a “party” as described in Title 3 of Part II of the Code of Civil Procedure. However, the Court at its discretion, shall have the authority to grant the Special Advocate amicus curiae status, which includes the right to appear with counsel. (Effective date 1/1/01, renumbered 7/1/11) 18.10 DISTRIBUTION OF CASA REPORTS (Effective date 1/1/02, renumbered 7/1/11, as amended 7/1/16) A. CASA reports shall be submitted to the Court at least (5) five Court days prior to the hearing. B. CASA shall serve a copy of the report on the parties to the case, including but not limited to: County Counsel, attending Case Social Worker, Attorney for child, nonminor dependent, or ward who are subject to the jurisdiction of the Juvenile Court, Parents’ Attorney, Child (via Foster Family Agency), Nonminor Dependent, or Ward who are subject to the jurisdiction of the Juvenile Court, ICWA Representative (if applicable) and Defacto Parents. C. CASA shall serve a copy of the report on the parties entitled to receive a copy of the report at least two (2) Court days prior to the hearing. (Effective date 1/1/02, renumbered 7/1/11, as amended 7/1/16)
LOCAL RULE 18 COURT APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATE PROGRAM (CASA) (Effective 1/1/01, as amended 1/1/02, as amended 7/1/11, as amended 7/1/16, as amended 7/1/19, as amended 7/1/20) 18.1 ADOPTION OF COURT APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATE PROGRAM (Effective date 1/1/01, as amended 7/1/16, as amended 7/1/19) A. The Court hereby adopts the guidelines for Court appointed Special Advocate programs (CASAs) set fort
Reviewer note: Composed 2026-10-10 (California T4 Butte build 2026-10-10) from BenchPath custody ca/t4/ca-butte/docs/local-rules/local-rules-january-2026-final-edit_san.pdf (the court's rule book, its cover “Local Court Rules Effective July 1, 2026”, as fetched 2026-10-10; 6485001 bytes, sha256 043b7a23248fccbde751232510b0b283759182bb05446c97c68478f2adcb12b1; 229 pages; this rule PDF pages 114 to 117) with the shared verbatim composer (v2 reflow) and its strike-out: 19 rules - 1 to 4, 6, 9, 12 to 22, 50 and 51 - each composed from its own pages (PDF pages 14 to 126, printed “Page 1 of 216” to “Page 113 of 216”), from its heading (“LOCAL RULE 1 GENERAL RULES”, with its history note on the same row) to its last history note: each page's running header (“SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF BUTTE RULES”) and its two footer lines (the rule's name and “Page N of 216”) removed as chrome - PDF page 24, a Rule 2 page, prints Rule 1's name in its footer, removed there too; lines reflowed into the rules' paragraphs, each rule's heading and each subdivision's label and title (“2.1 APPLICABILITY”) set as one line, as printed on one row; the strike report (review/strike-report-2026-10-10.txt) finds no struck run; 14 whitespace-only fixes (build/book-fixes.json: eleven complaint addresses in Rules 6, 9, 16, 17 and 51 whose street the reflow ran into the court's name, each street set on its own line as printed; Rule 2.6(B)'s transcript request address set on its four lines; Rule 2.16's empty label “D.” set apart from Rule 2.17's heading; Rule 16.27's “c)Training” set on its own line) and no same-character fix; the vertical-gap, short-line, page-break, bold-line, false-break, fragment and row audits (custody file book_extra_audits.py; review/book-extra-audits-2026-10-10.txt) list candidates read one by one; proof 1 (whitespace-only) and proof 2 (same character multiset as the text layer minus chrome) pass. The cover, the list of the rules with their effective dates, the applicability statement, the table of contents, the abbreviations, the subject index, the forms indexes and the local forms printed as page images (PDF pages 127 to 229) belong to no card.
Division XI: information forms for data processing (Rule 11.2); required action - action taken on all calendared cases and a future date always set (Rule 11.19); and pro tem judges - an attorney named as a plaintiff in a civil or small claims case may not sit as a judge pro-tem during the case or within six months following its resolution, nor one named as a defendant in two or more such cases (Rule 11.22). Rules 11.1, 11.3 to 11.5, 11.7 to 11.18, 11.20 and 11.21 are repealed, and Rule 11.6 (voluntary arbitration; see Local Rule 10.2) was repealed and renumbered.
Duval County's indigent-defense and magistration rules under the Texas Fair Defense Act (S.B. 7): who may be booked into the county jail and on what paper; arrest-case numbering; presentment to a magistrate within 48 hours (art. 15.16); the magistrate's warnings, counsel inquiry, interpreter duty, indigence determination and appointment of counsel within 24 hours of a request; the alternative appointment plan under art. 26.04(g)-(h) with annual applications, seven attorney categories (capital, first and second degree, third degree/state jail/misdemeanor, competency, appeals, post-conviction, extradition), CLE and experience standards, random rotation within each category, written acceptance within 48 hours, first contact by the end of the next working day, replacement and suspension of counsel, fee applications within five days of completing services and the compensation attachment ($500 pleas; $175/$150 hourly; $1,400 per jury-trial day; appellate caps); bail schedules by offense class with a personal bond office (fee $20 or 3%), pre-trial supervision and revocation hearings within two working days; arraignment settings and notice; repeal of conflicting rules.