Loading…
Chapter 6, Juvenile Court Rules: the rules apply to Juvenile Court proceedings, not juvenile traffic hearings (600); standing orders of the Presiding Judge of the Juvenile Court (601); each party and attorney to attend each scheduled hearing unless excused (602); motions under Code of Civil Procedure sections 1010 et seq. and the California Rules of Court, notice reduced to five (5) court days, oppositions filed and served two (2) court days before the hearing, the date reserved with the calendar clerk, and papers that do not comply not considered unless good cause is shown (603); ex parte applications to the Presiding Judge of the Juvenile Court or a designee, served whenever possible on all counsel, CASA, the social worker and parents without counsel, notice excused where it would frustrate the order and cause irreparable injury or is not possible (604); reciprocal discovery under rule 5.546, witness lists for contested hearings and expert reports at least five (5) court days before the hearing, formal discovery only on noticed motion after informal means are exhausted, and Penal Code sections 1054 through 1054.8 in delinquency proceedings (605); no interview of the minor about the allegations without the minor's attorney's permission or a court order, and no examination without court approval on noticed motion (606); counsel minimizing interviews of a minor in alleged child abuse, first reviewing the interviews taken and reports made (607); an attorney of the Minors Advocate Office of CPS as the minor's guardian ad litem until a CASA program is established (608); a guardian ad litem for an incompetent parent under the Penal Code section 1367 test (609); the guardian ad litem given a party's notice, access to records and right to appear (610); a motion, in writing or orally, challenging the legal sufficiency of a dependency petition as early as possible (611); citations, warrants and subpoenas under rule 5.526, warrant bail normally not less than $5,000 (612); settlement encouraged, the parties meeting at least one-half hour before a Jurisdiction/Disposition hearing (613); dependency counsel meeting Rule 5.660(d), court appointed attorneys with eight (8) hours of training or six (6) months experience, eight (8) hours of continuing education every three (3) years and an annual Certificate of Competency (614); delinquency counsel meeting Rule 5.664, appointed counsel completing form JV-700 annually (615); written complaints about appointed counsel lodged in a sealed envelope and reviewed within ten (10) days, and on a prima facie case an informal response or a hearing not open to the public on at least five (5) days notice, all confidential (616); notice to the court, orally or by declaration, of a minor's right or interest to be protected in another forum (617); confidential juvenile records disclosed under rule 5.552, Welfare and Institutions Code sections 825 through 830.1 and the court's December 12, 2013 written policy (618); transcripts at court expense on demonstrating legal necessity and financial assistance or income within the criteria of form FW-001-INFO (619); CASA volunteers, sworn officers of the court appointed in dependency proceedings or after wardship, with access to case files, notice of all proceedings, service of all documents filed, and their reports submitted at least ten (10) court days prior to the hearing (620); all-purpose judicial assignments by standing order in juvenile cases (621); the Juvenile Competency Protocol effective July 1, 2021 (622); and remote appearances at non-contested dependency hearings after disposition orders, contested hearings in person, a location free of distractions, and no photographs, recording or broadcasting (623)
CHAPTER 6: JUVENILE COURT RULES RULE 600 – Application and Definitions These rules apply to Juvenile Court proceedings, but not juvenile traffic hearings or traffic hearing appeals. To the extent that any of these rules conflict with either statutory requirements or the California Rules of Court, the local rule is of no legal effect. (Eff. 1/1/99; amended 7/1/08) RULE 601 – Standing Orders The Pre
Reviewer note: Composed 2026-10-15 (California T4 Kings build 2026-10-15) from BenchPath custody ca/t4/ca-kings/docs/local-rules/kingscountylocalrules_07-01-26.pdf (the court's rule book, its cover “SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA COUNTY OF KINGS Local Rules of Court (July 1, 2026)”, as fetched 2026-10-15; 1404126 bytes, sha256 5afc44ac2f5fa421cca2659bfcef2f97cc69851872a6b71f3834afa29c1bc7e3; 136 pages; this part PDF pages 76 to 85, page numbers 69 to 78) with the shared verbatim composer (v2 reflow): the rules and the appendix (PDF pages 8 to 112) composed as one text and cut at the chapter headings, and within Chapters 1, 3, 5 and 7 at a part or rule heading (“RULE 126 – Submission of Documents for Filing”, “RULE 310 – Joining Motions of Other Parties”, “Part 2 – Rules Applicable to Felony Cases and Misdemeanor Cases Joined or Consolidated with a Felony for Trial”, “RULE 710 – Applications for Family Law Court Orders”, “RULE 720 – Custody Orders and Agreements”, “RULE 732 – Experts Pursuant to California Evidence Code § 730”, “Part 2 – Child Support and the Kings County Department of Child Support Services”, “APPENDIX A”), each matched once as a whole line; the three rules whose instructions print example case numbers - Rule 125 (E-Filing Rules), Rule 309 (Legal Research Copy) and Rule 731 (Judicial Notice in Family Law Matters - Department 4) - cut out as parts of their own and held from publication (a case number's form, even an example's, is never published); every page's running head (“KINGS COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT – LOCAL RULES”, named) and footer lines (the chapter's name, “Appendix A” and “Page 1” to “Page 105”, named) removed as chrome - 314 chrome lines; lines reflowed into the rules' paragraphs, each rule number and lettered or numbered subdivision starting a line; the strike report (review/strike-report-2026-10-15.txt) finds one blank struck run in the book, on PDF page 115 (the Index by Number, outside the rules); 3 whitespace-only fixes (build/book-fixes.json: Rule 102's definition of “CASA” split from the definition before it; Rule 604's “within Rule 5.546 of the California Rules of Court” rejoined to its sentence; the Juvenile Court Rules' CASA contact's two lines split); the vertical-gap, short-line, page-break, false-break and structural-break audits (review/book-gap-audit-2026-10-15.txt, review/book-short-lines-2026-10-15.txt, review/book-extra-audits-2026-10-15.txt) list candidates read one by one (build/book_fixes.py) - the rest kept as printed; proof 1 (whitespace-only) and proof 2 (same character multiset as the text layer minus chrome) pass. The cover (PDF page 1), the table of contents (2 to 7), the Index by Number (113 to 119), the Subject Matter Index (120 to 126) and the List of Effective Dates (127 to 136) 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.
California > Fifth Appellate District > Kings County > Superior Court of California, County of Kings
CHAPTER 6: JUVENILE COURT RULES RULE 600 – Application and Definitions These rules apply to Juvenile Court proceedings, but not juvenile traffic hearings or traffic hearing appeals. To the extent that any of these rules conflict with either statutory requirements or the California Rules of Court, the local rule is of no legal effect. (Eff. 1/1/99; amended 7/1/08) RULE 601 – Standing Orders The Presiding Judge of the Juvenile Court may issue such standing orders for the administration of the Juvenile Court as the court deems appropriate. The court may hereafter issue new or amended standing orders by filing the same with the court clerk. The court clerk shall keep and make available to the general public copies of any standing order and these rules. The court clerk may charge for the cost of providing such copies. (Eff. 1/1/99) RULE 602 – Attendance at Hearings Unless excused by the court, each party and attorney shall attend each scheduled court hearing. (Eff. 1/1/99) RULE 603 – Motion Requirements A. Noticed motions should be accompanied by a proof of service compliant with California Code of Civil Procedure section 1013. B. All motions calendared in the Juvenile Court must comply with the requirements of the Code of Civil Procedure sections 1010 et seq. and California Rules of Court, rules 3.1110, 3.1113, 3.1115, 3.1320, and 5.544, except that written notice to opposing counsel and the court may be reduced to five (5) court days, and any opposition must be filed and served two (2) court days before the scheduled hearing. Prior to giving notice, the moving party must reserve the hearing date with the calendar clerk for the Juvenile Court. C. Notwithstanding the foregoing requirements, motions to continue a hearing, brought under Welfare and Institutions Code section 352, are subject to the time limits set forth therein. D. Papers that do not comply with these rules, the Code of Civil Procedure, and the California Rules of Court will not be considered by the court unless good cause is otherwise shown. (Eff. 1/1/99 as Rules 603 and 605; amended and renumbered 7/1/08; amended 1/1/21) RULE 604 – Ex Parte Application and Orders Any ex parte application for order shall be presented to the Presiding Judge of the Juvenile Court or the designee of same. Whenever possible, the moving and responding papers and any declaration regarding notice must be served on the attorney for each parent, attorney for the child, county counsel, CASA, supervising social worker, and parents who are not represented by counsel. Notice may be excused if the giving of such notice would frustrate the purpose of the order and cause the child to suffer immediate and irreparable injury and/or if, following a good faith attempt, the giving of notice is not possible. (Eff. 1/1/99; amended 1/1/11) RULE 605 – Pre-Hearing Discovery A. Pre-hearing discovery shall be reciprocal and shall be conducted in the manner provided for within Rule 5.546 of the California Rules of Court. Except as protected by privilege, all relevant material shall be disclosed in a timely fashion to all parties to the litigation. For purposes of Rule 5.546(e) of the California Rules of Court, the term “parent or guardian” shall include de facto parent(s). B. In the case of contested hearings, the parties shall exchange witness lists of all witnesses to be called, if not included in the social study report prepared by Child Protective Services (CPS), at least five (5) court days prior to the hearing. C. Formal Discovery. Only after all informal means have been exhausted may a party petition the court for discovery. Any noticed motion shall state the relevancy and materiality of the information sought and the reasons why informal discovery was not adequate to secure that information. The motion shall be served on all parties at least five (5) court days before the hearing date. The date for the hearing shall be obtained from the clerk of the Juvenile Court. Any responsive papers shall be filed and served two (2) court days prior to the hearing. D. The Code of Civil Procedure authorizing interrogatories, depositions, requests for production of documents, subpoenas of juvenile records or other similar types of discovery shall not apply to Juvenile Court proceedings absent prior approval of a judge of the Juvenile Court upon noticed motion. E. The names of any experts to be called by any party and copies of any reports, if not part of a social study report prepared by CPS, shall be provided to all counsel at least five (5) court days before the hearing. F. In delinquency proceedings, the court rules regarding discovery set forth in Penal Code sections 1054 through 1054.8 will apply. (Eff. 1/1/99 as Rule 617; amended and renumbered 7/1/08) RULE 606 – Access to Minors Subject to Section 300 of the Welfare and Institutions Code No party or counsel in a dependency proceeding shall interview the minor about the events relating to the allegations in the petition(s) on file without permission of the minor’s attorney or court order. No party or counsel in a dependency proceeding shall cause the minor to undergo a physical, medical, or mental health examination or evaluation without court approval and pursuant to a written noticed motion. This rule does not apply to the CPS caseworker or other authorized CPS social worker. (Eff. 1/1/99 as Rule 611; amended and renumbered 7/1/08) RULE 607 – Interviewing Victims of Child Abuse All counsel representing parties and other participants in a dependency case in which child abuse has been alleged shall attempt to minimize the number of interviews they take of the minor relating to the events surrounding the alleged abuse. To this end anyone wishing to learn facts about the alleged incident(s) shall first review any interviews taken or reports made by the investigating officer(s) or CPS social worker(s). (Eff. 1/1/99 as Rule 612; renumbered 7/1/08) RULE 608 – Guardian Ad Litem for Minors Until such time as a trained volunteer Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program is established in Kings County for purposes of the Federal Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (42 U.S.C. section 5101 et seq.), California Rules of Court, rule 5.660, and Welfare and Institutions Code section 326.5, an attorney representative of the Minors Advocate Office of CPS shall be deemed to be the minor’s guardian ad litem unless the court orders otherwise. Upon establishment of a CASA program in Kings County, an approved CASA representative may be appointed by the court to serve as the minor’s guardian ad litem. (Eff. 1/1/99 as Rule 613; amended and renumbered 1/1/11) RULE 609 – Guardian Ad Litem for Parents The court shall appoint any person whom the court deems qualified as guardian ad litem to represent any incompetent parent or guardian whose child is before the court pursuant to a petition under Welfare & Institutions Code section 300. The determination of incompetence may be made by the court at any time in the proceeding based upon evidence received from any interested party. The court shall apply that test for mental competence set forth in Penal Code section 1367. (Eff. 1/1/99 as Rule 614; amended and renumbered 7/1/08) RULE 610 – Guardian Ad Litem - Notice, Access to Records, Right to Appear In all proceedings, the guardian ad litem shall be given the same notice as any party and have the same access to all records relating to the case as would any party and have the right to appear at all hearings. (Eff. 1/1/99 as Rule 615; renumbered 7/1/08) RULE 611 – Motion to Challenge Legal Sufficiency of Petition A. In any dependency proceeding, the court may entertain a pre-hearing challenge by motion to the legal sufficiency of the petition. Such a motion may be made in writing or orally but must be made as early in the proceedings as possible. The court may rule on the motion at the hearing at which it is made or may continue the hearing on the motion to another date to receive briefing from counsel. If the court sustains the motion, the court may grant leave to amend the pleading in the petition upon any terms as may be just. B. The provisions of Chapter 8 (commencing with Section 469) of Title 6 of Part 2 of the Code of Civil Procedure relating to variance and amendment of pleadings in civil actions shall apply to petitions and proceedings under this Chapter. (Eff. 1/1/99 as Rule 618; amended and renumbered 7/1/08) RULE 612 – Citations to Appear, Warrants and Subpoenas The court may issue citations to appear, warrants and subpoenas in accordance with the provisions of California Rules of Court, rule 5.526. In the event that the court orders a warrant to be issued, bail shall normally be set at not less than $5,000. (Eff. 1/1/99 as Rule 620; amended and renumbered 7/1/08) RULE 613 – Settlements The court recognizes that agreement between the parties regarding the matters before the court is not only beneficial to the child/ren but also often contributes to the satisfactory reunification of the family. The court encourages settlement discussions including Family Unity Meetings between the parties at any time prior to the hearing. In the event the case is set for Jurisdiction/Disposition hearing, the parties shall meet at least one-half hour prior to the Jurisdiction/Disposition hearing to discuss settlement of the case. The court shall be promptly advised of any proposed settlements, admissions, or submissions of the entire hearing on reports. (Eff. 1/1/99 as Rule 621; renumbered 7/1/08) RULE 614 – Standards of Representation in Dependency Cases A. All counsel appearing in dependency proceedings shall meet the requirements for competent counsel set forth in Rule 5.660(d) of the California Rules of Court. In any case where a client’s whereabouts is unknown, an attorney should immediately inform the court. Upon such showing of good cause, the court may excuse an attorney from the requirement of regular client meetings set forth in Rule 5.660(d)(4) of the California Rules of Court. B. In addition to the requirements set forth in Rule 5.660(d) of the California Rules of Court, all court appointed attorneys appearing in a dependency matter before the Juvenile Court must complete either of the following minimum training and educational requirements: 1. Participated in at least eight (8) hours of training or education in juvenile dependency law, which training must have included information on the applicable case law and statutes, the Rules of Court, Judicial Council forms, motions, writs, mediation, child development, child abuse and neglect, family reunification and preservation, restraining orders, rights of de facto parents, and reasonable efforts; or 2. At least six (6) months experience in dependency proceedings in which the attorney has had primary responsibility for representation of his or her clients in said proceedings. In determining whether the attorney had demonstrated competence, the court will consider whether the attorney’s performance has substantially complied with the requirements of these rules. C. Each court appointed attorney who practices before the juvenile dependency court must complete within every three (3) year period at least eight (8) hours of continuing education related to dependency proceedings. Evidence of completion of the required number of hours of training or education must be retained by the attorney and may include a copy of a certificate of attendance issued by a California Mandatory Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) provider; a certificate of attendance issued by a professional organization which provides training and/or education for its members, whether it is an MCLE provider. Attendance at a court sponsored or approved program will also fulfill this requirement. D. The attorney’s continuing training or education must be in the areas set forth in paragraph (B) above, or in other areas related to juvenile dependency practice. E. Each court appointed counsel, including those employed by county offices, must annually complete and file a “Certificate of Competency,” and file it with the Presiding Judge of the Juvenile Court. A copy of a form “Certificate of Competency” will be provided upon request. Requests and completed Certificates should be directed to: Ms. Hope Hernandez, Sr. Executive Svc. Coordinator Kings County Superior Court 1640 Kings County Drive Hanford, California 93230 (Eff. 1/1/99 as Rules 623 through 625; amended and renumbered 7/1/08; amended 7/1/17, amended 7/1/22) RULE 615 – Standards of Representation in Delinquency Cases All counsel appearing in delinquency proceedings shall meet the requirements for competent counsel set forth in Rule 5.664. Each court appointed counsel, including those employed by county offices, must annually complete Judicial Counsel Form JV-700 and submit the same to the Presiding Judge of the Juvenile Court. Completed Judicial Council Forms JV-700 should be directed to: Ms. Hope Hernandez, Sr. Executive Svc. Coordinator Kings County Superior Court 1640 Kings County Drive Hanford, California 93230 (Eff. 7/1/17, amended 7/1/22) RULE 616 – Procedures for Reviewing and Resolving Complaints A. Any party to a Juvenile Court proceeding may lodge a written complaint with the court concerning the performance of his or her appointed counsel in a Juvenile Court proceeding. In the case of a complaint concerning the performance of counsel appointed to represent a minor, the complaint may be lodged on the child’s behalf by the social worker, a caretaker relative or a foster parent. Any complaints shall be lodged separately in the Juvenile Court file in a sealed envelope. B. Counsel shall be provided with a copy of the complaint. The court shall review any complaint within ten (10) days of receipt and may determine based upon that complaint that a prima facie case does not exist to believe that counsel has failed to act competently or has violated these rules. In that event, no further action is required by the court, however, the court shall notify the party and counsel in writing of its decision. This shall constitute a final decision on the matter. C. If the court determines that the complaint presents a prima facie case that the attorney may have failed to act competently or has violated local rules, the court may request an informal response from counsel or may conduct a hearing to make a determination on the issue. If ordered, a hearing shall be held as soon as practicable. The complainant and counsel shall each be given at least five (5) days notice of the hearing. The hearing shall not be open to the public or other parties to the Juvenile Court proceeding. The Presiding Judge of the Juvenile Court may designate a commissioner, referee, or judge pro tempore, or any qualified member of the Bar to act as hearing officer. The hearing officer may conduct the hearing with that degree of formality he or she deems appropriate. D. Any complaints, written responses to the complaints, or written notification of the court’s determination rendered pursuant to this rule shall be subject to the confidentiality requirements established under Welfare & Institutions Code section 827. (Eff. 1/1/99 as Rule 626; amended and renumbered 7/1/08; amended 1/1/12; renumbered 7/1/17) RULE 617 – Procedures for Informing the Court of Other Forum Interests of a Dependent Child At any time during the dependency proceedings, counsel for the minor or any interested person may notify the court that the minor may have an interest or right which needs to be protected or pursued in another judicial or administrative forum as soon as it is reasonably possible for counsel to do so. Notice to the court may be given orally or by the filing of a declaration. The person giving notice shall set forth the nature of the interest or right which needs to be protected or pursued, the name and address, if known, of the administrative agency or judicial forum in which the right or interest may be affected, and the nature of the proceedings being contemplated or conducted there. The court may set a hearing on the notice if the court deems it necessary to determine the nature of the child’s right or interest or whether said interest should be protected or pursued. (Eff. 1/1/99 as former Rule 627; renumbered 7/1/17) RULE 618 – Release of Information Relating to Juvenile Juvenile Court records are confidential by statute and case law. Disclosure and use of such records shall be governed by California Rules of Court, rule 5.552 and California Welfare and Institutions Code sections 825 through 830.1. All requests for the dissemination of records pursuant to California Welfare & Institutions Code section 827 will be handled by the court in accord with its December 12, 2013 written policy regarding the same. The written policy of the court will be made available to the public upon request. (Eff. 1/1/99 as Rule 628; amended and renumbered 7/1/08; amended and renumbered 7/1/17) RULE 619 – Requests for Transcripts Any party wanting the court to pay for a reporter’s transcript shall apply in writing to the judicial officer who heard the matter in question or to the Presiding Judge of the Juvenile Court. Alternatively, a party may orally request at a court hearing that the court order a transcript be prepared at court expense. In order to obtain transcripts at court expense, a party must demonstrate a legal necessity for the transcript and that he or she is receiving financial assistance under SSI and SSP, TANF, the Food Stamp Program, General Assistance, or meets the gross monthly income criteria as set out in Judicial Council Form FW-001-INFO entitled, “Information Sheet on Waiver of Court Fees and Costs.” (Eff. 1/1/99 as Rule 629; amended and renumbered 7/1/08; renumbered 7/1/17) RULE 620 – Appointment of Child Advocates (CASA) A. At any time during a dependency proceeding pursuant to Welfare and Institutions Code section 300 et seq. or at any time following a declaration of wardship at a disposition hearing during delinquency proceedings pursuant to Welfare and Institutions Code section 601 et seq. a trained CASA volunteer may be appointed by the court to provide all the services contemplated by Welfare and Institutions Code sections 102(c) and 104, and to represent the best interests of children in Juvenile Court proceedings. To qualify for appointment, the child advocate must be trained and function under the auspices of a CASA program, formed and operating under the guidelines established by the Judicial Council of California (Welf. & Inst. Code, §§ 100 and 103(a)). B. A CASA volunteer is a sworn officer of the court having taken an oath which describes the duties and responsibilities of the volunteer. CASA volunteers serve at the pleasure of the court and are bound by all court rules. C. The Kings County CASA Program will function under and pursuant to the program guidelines of CASA Programs as from time to time may be adopted or amended by the Judicial Council of the State of California, pursuant to Welfare and Institutions Code section 100, and will comply generally with the provisions of Welfare and Institutions Code sections 100-109, and California Rules of Court, rule 5.655. D. CASA volunteers are appointed only on behalf of children, and only in such proceedings as authorized by Welfare and Institutions Code sections 100-109 and the program guidelines established pursuant to these sections. E. CASA volunteers must have access to all documents, case files, and other documents which relate to the child before the court as authorized by Welfare and Institutions Code section 107. F. A CASA volunteer’s personnel file is confidential. No one will have access to the volunteer’s personnel file with the exception of the volunteer, the CASA program director or their designee, and the Presiding Judge of the Juvenile Court. G. CASA shall receive notice of all court proceedings involving persons for whom they have been appointed. H. CASA shall have reasonable access to the children for whom they have been appointed. I. CASA shall be served with a copy of all documents filed with the court as to a child for whom they have been appointed. The party filing said document is responsible for service on CASA. J. There must be ongoing, regular communication concerning the child’s best interests, current status, and significant case developments maintained among the advocates, case manager, child’s attorney, attorney(s) for parents, social worker, county counsel, relatives, foster parents, and any therapist for the child. K. A child advocate may petition the court to set the child’s case for hearing. L. All court reports submitted by CASA shall be submitted and served on all parties through their counsel, Child Welfare Services, and Probation in a timely fashion, at least ten (10) court days prior to the scheduled hearing unless otherwise ordered by the court. (Eff. 1/1/11; renumbered 7/1/17) RULE 621 – Judicial Assignments All-purpose judicial assignments have been adopted in connection with juvenile cases. All interested parties are directed to review the current version of the Standing Order re All Purpose Assignment of Juvenile Delinquency Cases and Standing Order re All Purpose Assignment of Juvenile Dependency Cases; both documents are available for public viewing on the court’s website. (Eff. 1/1/16; renumbered 7/1/17; amended 1/1/18) RULE 622 – Competency Protocol The Juvenile Court will follow the Juvenile Competency Protocol effective July 1, 2021. This protocol is consistent with and supplements the requirements of Welfare and Institutions Code section 709 and California Rules of Court, rule 5.645. In the event of modifications to Welfare and Institutions Code section 709 and California Rules of Court, rule 5.645, the Statute and Rule of Court shall control. A copy of the Juvenile Competency Protocol can also be found on the court’s website: [Link to Juvenile Competency Protocol.] (Eff. 7/1/21) RULE 623 – Remote Appearances in Dependency Cases A. Except as otherwise ordered by the court, after disposition orders have been made, any party or counsel participating in the proceeding may, but is not required to, appear remotely at non-contested hearings without further notice to any party or counsel. B. For contested hearings, all parties, counsel, and non-expert witnesses are required to appear in-person unless otherwise specifically authorized by the Court. Any person providing testimony must appear in-person absent agreement by all the parties C. Parties or witnesses appearing remotely must be in a location free of distractions or outside noise. In addition, they must have access to the appropriate technology to facilitate their remote appearance. The Kings County Superior Court utilizes Zoom for remote appearances. D. Remote proceedings are confidential, and remain confidential even where parties or counsel appear remotely. Accordingly, no photographs, recording, and/or broadcasting may occur. In addition, any party or witness appearing remotely in a Juvenile Dependency Case must be in a location and have the necessary privacy and security to maintain the confidential nature of the conference, hearing, proceeding, or trial. (Eff. 7/1/2022; amended 1/1/25) (RULES 624 - 699 Reserved)
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.