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Rules 200 to 202: no juvenile case file obtained by civil or criminal subpoena, persons entitled to inspect a file without a court order presenting identification and file mandatory local form MSC-JV-002 Declaration for Access to Juvenile Case File, others petitioning on form JV-570 (an intentional violation of section 827 punishable by a fine of up to $500.00), delinquency records available for public inspection where a petition was sustained for an offense listed in section 676(a), petitions to prohibit disclosure, JV-570 and JV-575 filed where the records are maintained, and court reporter's transcripts requested on mandatory local form MSC-JV-001 (200); CASA volunteers appointed on behalf of children only in dependency proceedings and their functions, a CASA appointed to serve as guardian ad litem under section 326.5 when a child would not benefit from the appointment of counsel (201); a CASA an officer of the Court, sworn in by a Superior Court Judge before beginning their duties, the duties delineated in the order of appointment, no appeal from the Court's decision to appoint or remove a CASA, cases referred to the CASA program and the criteria for referral, a CASA a mandated child abuse reporter, the CASA's right to timely notice and to appear, calendar priority, and confidential records and personnel files (201.1); CASA reports filed and served at least ten (10) calendar days before each of the following hearings - continued dispositional hearings and the review, permanency, and selection and implementation hearings - five (5) calendar days before special hearings and two (2) Court days before a jurisdictional hearing, copies only to parties and their counsel, copied and distributed by CASA of Merced County staff (201.2); and children in dependency matters represented by the court's contracted counsel, minors in juvenile justice proceedings referred to the Merced County Public Defender's Office or contracted conflict counsel, and parents represented by Dependency Administration of Merced County, LLC (DAMC), the minimum training - eight (8) hours of dependency training or six (6) months of experience, and 12 hours of juvenile justice training in the most recent 12-month period or 50 percent of a practice - children four (4) years of age or older interviewed in person, a declaration of eligibility filed and approved before March 31 of each calendar year (Judicial Council form JV-700 in juvenile justice, local form MSC-JV-010 in dependency), and complaints about appointed counsel made orally or in writing (202)
California > Fifth Appellate District > Merced County > Superior Court of California, County of Merced
RULE 200: ACCESS TO JUVENILE COURT RECORDS A Juvenile Case File, as defined in California Rules of Court, rule 5.552(a), may not be obtained or inspected by either civil or criminal subpoena. (Eff. 1/1/09; Renum. 7/1/18; Rev. 7/1/21) Access Without a Court Order Persons or agencies entitled to inspect a juvenile case file without a court order pursuant to Welfare and Institutions Code § 827(a)(1)(A)-(O), and persons or agencies entitled to inspect and receive copies of a juvenile case file without a court order pursuant to Welfare and Institutions Code § 827(a)(5), must present identification and file mandatory local form MSC-JV-002 Declaration for Access to Juvenile Case File in Possession of Juvenile Court with the Juvenile Court where the records are maintained. The form can be obtained from the Juvenile Justice Clerk’s Office, Juvenile Dependency Clerk’s Office, and the court’s website. To access a file in possession of an agency, the agency must be contacted directly for instructions on disclosure. (Eff. 1/1/09; Renum. 7/1/18; Rev. & Renum. 1/1/13, 7/1/21) B. Petition for Court Order Authorizing Access to Juvenile Case File If a person/agency is not entitled to access under Welfare and Institutions Code sections 827-830.1, a person/agency must petition the Juvenile Court where the records are maintained, using Judicial Counsel form JV-570 Petition for Access to Juvenile Case File, to obtain a Court order from the Presiding Judge of the Juvenile Court, the Presiding Judge of the Superior Court, or their designee. An intentional violation of Welfare and Institutions Code section 827 is punishable by a fine of up to $500.00. (Eff. 1/1/09; Renum. 7/1/18; Rev. & Renum. 7/1/21) C. Access to Delinquency Records where Petition Sustained on Offense Listed in Welfare and Institutions Code section 676(a). Pursuant to Welfare and Institutions Code section 676(d), when a petition has been sustained for an offense, the following information contained in the Court file shall be available for public inspection in the Juvenile Justice clerk’s office: (a) the charging petition, (b) the minutes of the proceedings, and (c) the orders of adjudication and disposition of the Court. The name of a minor found to have committed one of the serious violent offenses listed in Welfare and Institutions Code section 676(a) shall not be confidential, unless the Court orders it to be confidential based on good cause. (Eff. 1/1/09; Renum. 7/1/18; Rev. 7/1/21) D. Petitions to Prohibit Disclosure of Delinquency Records Pursuant to Welfare and Institutions Code section 676(e), any party may petition the Juvenile Court where the records are maintained to prohibit disclosure to the public of any file or record. The Juvenile Court shall prohibit disclosure of such record if it finds that the harm to the child, victims, witnesses, or public from the disclosure outweighs the benefit of public knowledge. (Eff. 1/1/09; Renum. 7/1/18; Rev. 7/1/21) E. Welfare and Institutions Code Section 827 & 828 Petitions Request for Disclosure of Juvenile Case File and Petition to Obtain Report of Law Enforcement Agency (Judicial Council Form JV-570 and JV-575, respectively) shall be filed at the Juvenile Court where the records are maintained. (Eff. 1/1/09; Renum. 7/1/18; Rev. 1/1/19; 7/1/21) F. Court Reporter Transcripts in Juvenile Matters Persons or agencies entitled to inspect a juvenile case file without a court order pursuant to Welfare and Institutions Code § 827 may request access to, or copies of, the court reporter’s transcripts for inspection purposes only by completing mandatory local form MSC-JV-001 Application for Transcript of Juvenile Hearing and Order, which is available on Merced Superior Court’s website. The person/agency must submit the completed application at the Clerk’s Office where the records are maintained. Upon approval by the Juvenile Court Presiding Judge, the person/agency will be contacted with information regarding payment and time estimate for transcript preparation. If use is intended, a WIC § 827 Petition MUST be filed and granted prior to use or dissemination. (Eff. 1/1/19; Rev. 7/1/21, 1/1/22) RULE 201: COURT APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATES PROGRAM Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Merced County volunteers are appointed on behalf of children and only in dependency proceedings. CASA serve at the pleasure of the Court having jurisdiction over the proceeding in which the CASA has been appointed. In general, a CASA’s functions are as follows: A. Support the child throughout the Court proceedings. B. Explain the Court proceedings to the child. C. Establish a relationship with the child to better understand the child’s needs and desires. D. Review available records regarding the child’s family history, school behavior, medical or mental health history, et cetera. E. Identify and explore potential resources that will facilitate family preservation, early family reunification, or alternative permanency planning. F. Explain the CASA volunteer’s role, duties and responsibilities to all parties associated with a case. G. Communicate the child’s needs to the Court through written reports to the Court and make recommendations to the Court on what placement, permanent plan, and services are best for the child. H. Consider whether appropriate services, including reasonable efforts, are being provided or offered to the child and the child’s family. I. Ensure that the Court-approved plans for the child are being implemented. J. Attend Court hearings. K. Investigate the interests of the child in judicial or administrative proceedings outside of Juvenile Court. In any action pursuant to Welfare and Institutions Code Sections 300 et seq., the Court may, in an appropriate case and in addition to any counsel appointed for a child, appoint a CASA to represent the best interests of the child who is the subject of the proceedings. If the Court determines that a child would not benefit from the appointment of counsel pursuant to Welfare and Institutions Code Section 317 and California Rules of Court 5.660, the Court must appoint a CASA for the child to serve as guardian ad litem, as required by Welfare and Institutions Code Section 326.5. The CASA has the same duties and responsibilities as guardian ad litem and must meet the requirements set forth in California Rules of Court, rule 5.660, subdivision (e). (Eff. 1/1/11; Rev. 1/1/12, 1/1/18; Renum. 7/1/18) RULE 201.1: COURT APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATES A CASA is an officer of the Court and is bound by all Court rules. Each CASA shall be sworn in by a Superior Court Judge before beginning their duties. (Eff. 1/1/11; Renum. 7/1/18; Rev. 1/1/13, 7/1/21) Specific Duties 1. The Court shall, in its initial order of appointment, and thereafter in subsequent orders as appropriate, specifically delineate the CASA’s duties in each case. Typically, a CASA is expected to conduct an independent investigation of the circumstances surrounding the case; to interview and observe the child and other appropriate individuals (that is, the parties involved in the case as well as other persons having significant information about the child); and to review appropriate reports and records, including relevant records pertaining to the child from any agency, hospital, school, organization, division or department of the state, physician and surgeon, nurse, or other health care provider, psychologist, psychiatrist, law enforcement agency, or mental health clinic. A CASA is required to report the results of their investigation to the Court and, if ordered to do so, provide the Court with any other information the Court specifically requests. 2. If no specific duties are outlined by Court order, the CASA shall discharge their obligation to the child and Court in accordance with the general duties set forth above. 3. A CASA volunteer shall serve under the guidance and supervision of the Merced County CASA program staff and is expected to comply with operational policies and procedures approved by the program’s Board of Directors, Sections 100 through 109 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, rule 5.655 of the California Rules of Court, and any and all Judicial Council guidelines, Local Rules of Court , and the provisions of any agreement entered into by the Merced County CASA program with the Juvenile Court. (Eff. 1/1/11; Renum. 7/1/18; Rev. 7/1/21) B. Appeal and Grievance Procedures 1. A CASA volunteer serves at the pleasure of the Court, the appointment is a privilege and not a right. The Judicial Officer presiding over the juvenile dependency Court or their designee has the sole authority and power to appoint and/or remove a CASA to or from a case. There is no appeal process from the Court’s decision. 2. The Merced County CASA Program has established an internal process for the submission and investigation of grievances which process shall be followed. (Eff. 1/1/11; Renum. 7/1/18; Rev. 7/1/21) C. Case Referral and Appointment 1. A child’s dependency case may be referred by the Court to the CASA program for appointment at any point in the proceeding. 2. Upon acceptance of the case by the program and acceptance by an available CASA volunteer, an Order for Appointment shall be submitted to the Court by the CASA program staff, requesting appointment of the identified volunteer. The Court may appoint a CASA volunteer at any time following the jurisdictional hearing and, in extraordinary cases, the Court may appoint a CASA volunteer prior to the establishment of jurisdiction. In cases where the appointment is made prior to the establishment of jurisdiction, the Court order shall specify that the duties of the child’s advocate are limited to supporting the child and advocating for needed services prior to establishment of jurisdiction and shall admonish the child’s advocate not to investigate jurisdictional issues. 3. Where the referral is not made by the Court at an appearance hearing, the CASA staff will notice parties of the CASA program appointment and the name of the specific CASA volunteer assigned to the case. (Eff. 1/1/11; Renum. 7/1/18) D. Criteria for Referral to CASA Program 1. Severe physical/sexual abuse cases where the child is not released to a parent or relative, and the child is seriously traumatized. 2. Specific needs cases (e.g., educational, developmental, medical health needs) that involve conflicting opinions as to assessment and/or treatment for the child, or where treatment plans or resources will be difficult to arrange. 3. Cases of repeated abuse that involve a number of issues or a number of interested parties. 4. Children ten (10) years and under who have experienced multiple placements and whose parents have consistently failed to show progress toward or interest in fulfilling treatment plans or goals for family reunification. 5. Children age newborn to five (5) years old in foster care, where a CASA volunteer might expedite the case toward family reunification or adoption, if reunification is not appropriate. 6. Short term CASA intervention/involvement is required in case resolution or clarification of issues or by gathering or researching information, e.g., contacting out-of-state relatives or investigating medical concerns to assists the Court in reaching a decision. 7. Children age newborn to eighteen (18) years who experienced three or more separate placements during any consecutive twelve-month period or who have been detained at a residential care institution (excluding group homes) for thirty (30) days or more and who have been diagnosed as having or have a history of any of the following: a. Conduct disorder with aggressive tendencies or antisocial behavior. b. Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder treated by psychotic drugs. c. Self-destructive or suicidal behavior. d. Use of psychotropic drugs. e. Developmental disability. f. Fire setting. g. Manifestation of psychotic symptoms such as delusion, hallucination, or disconnected or incoherent thinking. h. Somatizing or psychosomatic problems such as sleeping or eating disorder. i. Chronic depression. j. Severe sexual acting-out behavior. k. Substance abuse. 8. Any dependent child whose particular circumstances warrant or otherwise support the appointment of a CASA. (Eff. 1/1/11; Renum. 7/1/18) E. Release of Information to CASA (Repealed 7/1/2018) F. Report of Child Abuse A CASA is a mandated child abuse reporter with respect to the case to which they are appointed. As such, a CASA is required to report any reasonable suspicion that the child is a victim of child abuse or serious neglect as described by Penal Code Section 11165.6. (Eff. 1/1/11; Renum. 7/1/18; Rev/ 1/1/23) G. Communication There shall be ongoing, regular communication concerning the child’s best interests, current status, and significant case developments maintained among the CASA, the social worker, the child’s attorney, attorneys for parents, relatives (to the extent permitted by law), foster parents (to the extent permitted by law), and any therapist for the child (to the extent permitted by law). (Eff. 1/1/11; Renum. 7/1/18) H. Right to Timely Notice and Right to Appear, Calendar Priority for Advocates 1. The CASA shall be properly and timely noticed for all proceedings held in cases to which the CASA has been appointed. 2. The CASA has the right to be personally present at all hearings and to be heard at all Court hearings. A CASA shall not be subject to exclusion by virtue of the fact that they may be called to testify at some point in the proceedings. A CASA shall not be deemed to be a “party” as described in Title 3 of Part 2 of the Code of Civil Procedure. However, the Court, in its discretion, shall have the authority to grant the CASA amicus curiae status, which includes the right to appear with counsel. 3. Subject to the Court’s discretion, the CASA shall have the right to participate in any chambers conferences which are held in the proceedings to which the CASA has been appointed. If the child is allowed to testify in chambers or to otherwise participate in any chambers conference, the CASA shall have the right to accompany the child. 4. In light of the fact that CASAs are rendering a voluntary service to the children and the Court, matters on which they appear should be granted priority on the Court’s calendar, whenever possible. (Eff. 1/1/11; Renum. 7/1/18; Rev. 7/1/21) I. Access to Records 1. All information concerning children and families in the Juvenile Court process is confidential. A CASA shall not give case information to anyone other than the Court, parties, their attorneys, and CASA staff. Any request for access to these records must be made to the Judicial Officer presiding over the Juvenile Dependency Court through a Petition for Disclosure of Juvenile Court Records pursuant to Welfare and Institutions Code Section 827 (Form JV-570). 2. The child’s case file shall be maintained in the Merced County CASA office by a custodian of records. No one shall have access to that file except upon approval of the Executive Director of Merced County CASA. 3. A CASA volunteer’s personnel file is confidential. No one shall have access to the file or any of its contents except the volunteer, the Merced County CASA’s executive director (or their designee), and the Judicial Officer presiding over the Juvenile Dependency Court. Parties to a proceeding may access the personnel records of a CASA volunteer appointed in that proceeding through use of the Court’s subpoena power. All subpoenas are to be served on the CASA program’s executive director at the Merced County CASA program’s office. (Eff. 1/1/11; Renum. 7/1/18; Rev. 7/1/21) RULE 201.2: FILING AND DISTRIBUTION OF CASA COURT REPORTS A. In any case in which a CASA has been appointed by the Court and is now serving on that case, the CASA must file and serve written reports to the Court and on the parties and/or their counsel at least ten (10) calendar days before each of the following hearings: those dispositional hearings that have been continued pursuant to Welfare and Institutions Code Section 358, subdivision (a) six-month review; twelve-month review (permanency hearing); eighteen-month review (permanency review hearing); selection and implementation hearing (366.26 hearing); and post-permanency planning reviews. The CASA may also submit reports for any special hearings noticed to CASA of Merced County and if submitted, those written CASA reports must be filed and served on the parties and/or their counsel at least five (5) calendar days before the hearing. If the CASA is appointed before jurisdiction is established under Welfare and Institutions Code section 300, the CASA may submit a written report to the Court for consideration by the Court at the jurisdictional hearing; and such report must be filed and served on the parties and/or their counsel at least two (2) Court days before the jurisdictional hearing. B. Only parties and their counsel are entitled to receive copies of CASA reports prepared in connection with pending hearings. De facto parents are entitled to receive copies of CASA reports only if there is a Court order directing distribution of the report to the de facto parents. Relatives, foster parents, and service providers are not entitled to receive copies of CASA reports in the absence of a specific Court order. C. CASA Court reports shall be copied and distributed by CASA of Merced County staff. (Eff. 1/1/11; Renum. 7/1/18) RULE 202: REPRESENTATION IN JUVENILE PROCEEDINGS A. Representation of Children 1. Juvenile Dependency Proceedings The Court has contracted with Central Valley Youth Legal Services PC to represent all minors in dependency matters, except in cases of conflict. 2. Juvenile Justice Proceedings Appointments for minors are referred to the Merced County Public Defender’s Office. In cases where the Public Defender has declared a conflict, the Court has contracted with Fitzgerald, Alvarez and Ciummo to represent the minors. 3. Procedures to Determine Appropriate Caseloads for Attorneys Representing Children The attorney for a child must have a caseload that allows the attorney to perform the duties required, and to otherwise adequately counsel and represent the child. Attorneys appointed to represent children must not maintain a maximum full-time caseload that is greater than that which allows them to meet the requirements. The appointed attorney must notify the Court once their maximum caseload has been reached. B. Representation of Other Parties The Court has contracted with Dependency Administration of Merced County, LLC (DAMC) to represent parents, and any other parties entitled to appointment of counsel, in Dependency matters. C. Minimum Standards of Experience, Training, and Education of Attorneys Representing Parties 1. General Competency Requirements All attorneys appearing in juvenile proceedings shall be familiar with and comply with the minimum standards of competence set forth in California Rules of Court, rules 5.660 and 5.664, and any applicable Welfare and Institutions Code sections. 2. Minimum Standards of Education and Training a. Dependency Proceedings Each court-appointed or retained attorney appearing in a Dependency matter must complete the following minimum training and educational requirements. The attorney must have either: (1) Participated in at least eight (8) hours of training and education in Juvenile Dependency law and practice, which training must include, in addition to those topics required for general competency, the following: a. The Child Witness; b. W & I § 366.26 Hearings, etc.; c. Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) Issues; d. W & I Code §§ 202, 213.5, 241.1, 300 et seq.; e. Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA); f. Restraining Orders; and g. Rights of De Facto Parents. OR (2) At least six (6) months of experience within the last twelve (12) months in Dependency proceedings in another county in which the attorney has had primary responsibility for representation of his or her clients in said proceedings. In determining whether the attorney has demonstrated competence, the Court will consider whether the attorney's performance has substantially complied with the requirements of these Rules. b. Delinquency Proceedings Each court-appointed or retained attorney appearing in a Delinquency matter must have either: (1) Completed a minimum of 12 hours of training or education during the most recent 12-month period in the area of juvenile justice. OR (2) Dedicated at least 50 percent of their practice to juvenile justice in the last three years. 3. Standards of Representation All attorneys appearing in juvenile proceedings must meet the following minimum standards of representation: a. Attorneys are expected to meet regularly with clients, including clients who are children, to contact social workers and other professionals associated with the client's case, to work with other counsel and the Court to resolve disputed aspects of a case without hearing, and to adhere to the mandated timelines. b. If the client is a child, the attorney or attorney's agent should have contact with the client prior to each hearing. The attorney or attorney's agent must interview all children four (4) years of age or older in person unless it is impracticable. Whenever possible, the child must be interviewed at the child's placement. The attorney or attorney's agent should also interview the child's caretaker, particularly when the child is under four (4) years of age. c. If the client is not the child, the attorney or attorney's agent must interview the client at least once prior to the jurisdictional hearing unless that client is unavailable. Thereafter, the attorney or the attorney's agent must contact the client at least once prior to each hearing unless that client is unavailable. D. Procedure for Screening to Ensure Parties are Represented by Competent Appointed and Retained Counsel Attorneys who wish to be considered for appointment in cases of conflict, or who have been retained to represent any party in a juvenile proceeding, must submit a declaration of eligibility to the court’s Administration Department. To remain on the court’s list of counsel eligible for appointment, a declaration must be filed and approved before March 31 of each calendar year. If retained, counsel should file the declaration into the case in the appropriate clerk’s office at least five (5) court days prior to their first court appearance, if time permits, or present it to the Court at their first appearance. A declaration shall be filed in each case in which counsel has been retained. Retained counsel that do not meet the minimum education at their initial appearance must complete the required education within five (5) court days of their first court appearance. In Juvenile Justice matters, Judicial Council form JV-700 is to be filed. In Juvenile Dependency matters, counsel must file local form MSC-JV-010, available on the court’s website at www.merced.courts.ca.gov. E. Procedures for Reviewing and Resolving Complaints Regarding Performance of Appointed Counsel Any party to a Juvenile Court proceeding may complain about the performance of their appointed attorney in a Juvenile Court proceeding. The complaint may be made orally during a court proceeding or in writing and filed with the Juvenile Clerk’s Office. In the case of a complaint concerning the performance of an attorney appointed to represent a minor, the Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), the social worker, a caretaker relative or foster parent may make the complaint on the child’s behalf. After reviewing the complaint, the response and any additional information, the Court may find cause to relieve the attorney and appoint new counsel. This procedure is available in addition to any other remedy available under the law. (Eff. 1/1/23) RULE 203-399: [RESERVED]
RULE 200: ACCESS TO JUVENILE COURT RECORDS A Juvenile Case File, as defined in California Rules of Court, rule 5.552(a), may not be obtained or inspected by either civil or criminal subpoena. (Eff. 1/1/09; Renum. 7/1/18; Rev. 7/1/21) Access Without a Court Order Persons or agencies entitled to inspect a juvenile case file without a court order pursuant to Welfare and Institutions Code § 827(a)(1)(
Reviewer note: Composed 2026-10-15 (California T4 Merced build 2026-10-15) from BenchPath custody ca/t4/ca-merced/docs/local-rules/2026-july-local-rules.pdf (the court's rule book, its cover “MERCED COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT LOCAL RULES OF COURT EFFECTIVE July 1, 2026”, as fetched 2026-10-15; 711888 bytes, sha256 2fed23656f258d9056d180aa94888ac04a69db55e60e3b6c1a7a4b601cde7fbd; 112 pages; this part PDF pages 72 to 82, page marks 72 to 82) with the shared verbatim composer (v2 reflow): the rules (PDF pages 13 to 97) composed as one text and cut at the rule headings that open each part (“RULE 1: COURT ORGANIZATION”, “RULE 2: FILING PROCEDURES”, “RULE 3: CIVIL RULES”, “RULE 16: CRIMINAL RULES”, “RULE 17: TRAFFIC RULES”, “RULE 100: PROBATE RULES – PREFACE”, “RULE 200: ACCESS TO JUVENILE COURT RECORDS”, “RULE 400: FAMILY LAW - GENERAL POLICY STATEMENT”, “RULE 500: APPELLATE DIVISION”), each matched once as a whole line; every page's running head (“Merced Superior Court”, named) and page mark (“13 | P a g e” to “97 | P a g e”, named) removed as chrome - 170 chrome lines; lines reflowed into the rules' paragraphs, each rule heading and lettered or numbered subdivision starting a line; the strike report (review/strike-report-2026-10-15.txt) finds no struck run in the book; 1 whitespace-only fix (build/book-fixes.json: Rule 2.1's “California Rules of Court,” and “Rule 1.150.”, split where a line opens “Rule 1.150”, rejoined); the vertical-gap, short-line, page-break, false-break, structural-break and row-join 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 judges' page (2), the summary of changes (3), the instructions (4 and 5), the contents (6 to 11), the cities and communities served (12), the list of rules and effective dates (98), the lists of approved local forms (99 to 107) and the index (108 to 112) belong to no card. Review note: Rule 201 provides for CASA volunteers appointed on behalf of children “only in dependency proceedings”; Standing Order #2026-01 (carded) provides for CASA volunteers in juvenile justice proceedings. Rule 200's Access Without a Court Order prints the procedure of Standing Order #2018-08, which is held for that reason; Rule 202(A)(1)'s contracted counsel for minors in dependency matters replaces the named attorney of Standing Order 2011-0002 (held).
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.