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Chapter 2 (Rules 6.2 to 6.4.1): hearings of the Juvenile Department at the San Mateo County Juvenile Court, 222 Paul Scannell Drive, San Mateo (Rule 6.2); attorneys for parties in dependency proceedings - statutory timelines, time waivers and the attorneys' duties (Rule 6.3); all judges designated as Juvenile Court judges in the absence of the Juvenile Court judge (Rule 6.4); and the Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Program (Rule 6.4.1).
California > First Appellate District > San Mateo County > Superior Court of California, County of San Mateo
CHAPTER 2. JUVENILE DEPARTMENT Rule 6.2 Hearings Unless otherwise ordered, the proceedings of the Juvenile Department shall be held in the San Mateo County Juvenile Court at 222 Paul Scannell Drive , San Mateo, at such times as the Juvenile Court judge shall direct. (Adopted, effective July 1, 1996) Rule 6.3 Attorneys for Parties in Dependency Proceedings (a) [Timelines] Attorneys for parties are expected to adhere to the statutory timelines for all hearings. Time waivers will be accepted and continuances granted only on a showing of exceptional circumstances. (b) [Experience, training, education; standards of representation] Every party in a dependency proceeding who is represented by an attorney shall be entitled to competent counsel, as defined in California Rule of Court 5.660(b). The San Mateo County Private Defender Program shall be responsible for the establishment of procedures for qualification of attorneys for inclusion on the panel designated to represent parties. Minimum standards of experience, training and education shall conform to CRC 5.660 and shall be included in the qualification requirements. Standards of representation shall conform at a minimum to those set forth in CRC 5.660. A copy of the procedures and standards established by the Private Defender Program shall be lodged with the court and made available to juvenile court judicial officers. (c) [Appointment] The court shall appoint the Private Defender Program to represent the parties as requested, and the Private Defender Program Managing Attorney shall designate the particular attorneys. (1) In exceptional circumstances the court may request that a particular attorney be appointed to represent a party. (2) The social worker shall notify the Private Defender Program juvenile office of the need for appointed counsel no later than 9:00 a.m. of the court day preceding the first hearing of the case. (3) The court may appoint the Private Defender Program at any time, and shall promptly notify the Private Defender Program juvenile office in writing. (d) [Client complaints] Complaints or questions by a party regarding attorney representation shall be addressed as follows: (1) Complaints or questions shall initially be referred for review by the Managing Attorney of the Private Defender Program who shall take appropriate action if required. (2) If the issue remains unresolved, the party may submit the complaint or question to the court in writing. The court shall conduct its own review of the complaint or question and take appropriate action if required. (e) [Attorney for the child (W & IC 317)] Counsel for the child in a dependency proceeding is charged with representation of the child’s interests, including causes of action and other interests to be advanced or protected by administrative or judicial proceedings within or outside of the juvenile court system. (1) Absent exceptional circumstances, the attorney for the child shall have personal contact with the child regardless of the age of the child, and shall interview any child four years or older so the attorney can better represent to the court how the child’s wishes and interests may best be addressed. (2) The attorney for the child shall investigate any interests of the child beyond the scope of the dependency proceeding and shall immediately advise the juvenile court of information regarding any interest or right of the child to be protected or pursued in other judicial or administrative forums. (A)Judicial Council forms Juvenile dependency Petition (JV-100) and Modification Petition Attachment (JV-180) shall be utilized to inform the court and request direction from the court. (B)Upon receipt of the request by counsel for instructions from the court, the court shall do one or all of the following: (i)Refer the matter to the appropriate agency for further investigation and require a report to the court and counsel within a reasonable time; (ii)Authorize and direct the child’s attorney to initiate and pursue appropriate action; (iii)Appoint a guardian ad litem for the child if one is required to initiate appropriate action; or (iv)Take any other action to protect the interests and rights of the child. (3) If the court receives information from a person other than the attorney for the child regarding an interest or right of the child, the court shall appoint an attorney for the child if the child is unrepresented, inform that attorney or the attorney of record for the child, of the information, and request the attorney to investigate the matter. After investigation, the attorney shall proceed according to subsection (e)(2). (Adopted, effective July 1, 1996) (Amended, effective January 1, 2007) Rule 6.4 Absence of Juvenile Court Judge In the absence of the Juvenile Court judge, all judges of the court are designated as Juvenile Court judges. (Adopted, effective July 1, 1996) Rule 6.4.1 Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Program a) CASA Function Advocates serve at the pleasure of the Court having jurisdiction over the proceeding in which the advocate has been appointed. In general, a CASA advocate’s functions are as follows: (1) To support the child or youth throughout the Court proceedings; (2) To establish a relationship with the child or youth to better understand his or her particular needs and desires; (3) Review available records to better understand the child or youth’s particular needs. Records that shall be available to the CASA advocate include, but are not limited to, records regarding the child or youth’s family history, academic history and school behavior, medical or mental health history; (4) To communicate the child or youth’s needs and desires to the Court in written reports and recommendations; (5) To identify and explore potential resources that will facilitate family preservation and reunification or alternative permanency planning; (6) To provide continuous attention to the child or youth’s situation to ensure that the Court’s plans for the child or youth are being implemented; (7) Attend court hearings; (8) To the fullest extent possible, to communicate and coordinate efforts with the case manager (i.e. probation officer or social worker); (9) To the fullest extent possible, to communicate and coordinate efforts with the child or youth’s attorney(s); and (10) To be informed about the interests of the child or youth in other judicial or administrative proceedings outside juvenile court; report to the juvenile court concerning the same; and, with the approval of the Court, offer his/her services on behalf of the child or youth to such other courts or tribunals. b) Sworn Officer of the Court A CASA advocate is a sworn officer of the Court and is bound by these rules. Each advocate shall be sworn in by a superior court judge/referee/commissioner before beginning his or her duties and shall sign a written oath. c) Specific Duties The Court shall, in its initial order of appointment and thereafter in subsequent order(s) as appropriate, specifically delineate the advocate’s duties in each case, which may include reviewing the circumstances of the case, interviewing and observing the child/youth and other appropriate records and reports, consideration of visitation rights for the child or youth’s grandparents and other relatives, and reporting back directly to the Court as indicated. If no specific duties are outlined by Court order, the CASA advocate shall discharge his/her obligation to the child or youth and the Court in accordance with the general duties set forth in these rules. d) Procedures in Juvenile Justice Cases (1) A request for appointment of a youth advocate in a juvenile justice case may be made orally or in writing in open court or ex parte by the probation officer or any party to the case, or by the Court on its own motion. In the case of a dual status youth who already has a CASA advocate, the CASA advocate will remain assigned to the youth for both juvenile justice and dependency cases. In all other cases, the Court will order the case to be referred to the CASA program for screening. (2) When CASA receives a referral, it shall screen it and, if it determines that the youth is a suitable subject for the appointment of a CASA advocate and, if there is a suitable CASA advocate available for appointment, the Court shall sign the Order Appointing the CASA Advocate. (3) The CASA advocate serves at the pleasure of the Court and the appointment of the CASA advocate may be terminated by the Court. e) Procedures in Dependency Cases (Welfare and Institutions Code Sections 300 et seq.) (1) All children and youth who are dependents of the San Mateo County Superior Court, Juvenile Division, and in compliance with California Rule of Court 5.655, will be referred to the CASA of San Mateo County Program to receive a CASA Advocate. Upon referral of a dependent child or youth, CASA of San Mateo County will receive a copy of all court reports to date for all hearings and other proceedings in all cases in order to place dependent children or youth on the CASA waitlist. (2) In addition to the above process, a request for appointment of a CASA advocate in a dependency case may be made orally or in writing in open court or ex parte by the social worker, dependency attorneys, any party to the case or by the Court on its own motion. (3) When an appropriate CASA advocate has been identified, that person’s name shall be submitted to the Court for appointment. (4) The names of children or youth who have been referred to the CASA of San Mateo County Program for assignment of a CASA advocate will be removed from the CASA waitlist when the case is dismissed or when the Court determines that a CASA advocate is no longer needed. (5) The CASA advocate serves at the pleasure of the Court and the appointment of the Child advocate may be terminated by the Court. (6) The San Mateo County CASA program has established an internal process for the submission and investigation of grievances which process shall be followed. f) Release of Information to CASA (1) To Accomplish Appointment To accomplish the appointment of a CASA advocate, the judge/referee/commissioner making the appointment shall sign an order granting the CASA advocate the authority to review specific relevant documents. In addition, the CASA advocate will have the authority to interview parties involved in the case and other persons having significant information relating to the child or youth. The CASA advocate shall have the same authority as any other officer appointed to investigate proceedings on behalf of the Court. (2) Access to Records i. A CASA advocate shall have the same legal right to records relating to the child or youth he/she is appointed to represent as any case manager (social worker or probation officer) with regard to records pertaining to the child or youth 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 CASA advocate shall present his or her identification as a court-appointed advocate to any such record holder in support of his/her request for access to specific records. No consent from the parent or guardian is required for the CASA advocate to have access to any records relating to the child or youth. ii. The child or youth’s case file shall be maintained in the San Mateo CASA office by a custodian of records. No one shall have access to that file except upon approval of the Executive Director of CASA of San Mateo County. iii. A CASA advocate’s personnel file is confidential. No one shall have access to he file or any of its contents except the volunteer, the San Mateo County CASA Executive Director (or his or her designee) and the Juvenile Court Judge of the San Mateo County Superior Court. (3) Report of Child Abuse A CASA advocate is a mandated child abuse reporter with respect to the case to which he/she is appointed. (4) Communication There shall be ongoing, regular communication concerning the child or youth’s best interests, current status and significant case developments maintained among the CASA advocate, case manager, child or youth’s attorney, attorneys for parents, relatives, foster parents and any therapist for the child or youth. g) Filing and distribution of CASA Court Reports (1) In any case in which a CASA advocate has been appointed by the Court, the CASA advocate must file and serve written reports to the Court and on the parties and/or their counsel at least two (2) court days before the following hearings: (i) dispositional hearings that have been continued pursuant to Welfare and Institutions Code Section 358(a); (ii) six-month review; (iv) twelve-month review; (v) eighteen-month review; (vi) welfare and institutions 366.26 hearing; and (vii) post-permanency planning reviews. The CASA advocate may also submit reports for any special hearings notice to CASA of San Mateo County and, if submitted, those written CASA reports must be filed and served on the parties and/or their counsel at least two (2) court days before the hearing. If the CASA advocate is appointed before jurisdiction is established under Welfare and Institutions Code section 300 et seq., the CASA advocate may submit a written report to the court for consideration by the court at the jurisdictional hearing. Any such report must be filed and served on the parties and/or their counsel at least two (2) court days before the jurisdictional hearing. (2) 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. (3) CASA court reports shall be copied and distributed by CASA of San Mateo County staff. h) Right to Timely Notice The CASA advocate shall be properly and timely noticed for all proceedings held in case to which the CASA advocate has been appointed. i) Calendar Priority Because CASA advocates are rendering a volunteer service to children, youth and the Court, matters on which they appear should be granted priority on the Court’s calendar, whenever possible. j) Visitation Throughout Dependency CASA advocates shall have the right to regular unsupervised contact with the child or youth until the dependency case is dismissed. k) Right to Appear A CASA advocate shall have the right to be present and heard at all court hearings and shall not be subject to exclusion. A CASA 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, in its discretion, shall have the authority to grant the CASA advocate amicus curiae status, which includes the right to appear with counsel. (Adopted, effective January 1, 2020)
CHAPTER 2. JUVENILE DEPARTMENT Rule 6.2 Hearings Unless otherwise ordered, the proceedings of the Juvenile Department shall be held in the San Mateo County Juvenile Court at 222 Paul Scannell Drive , San Mateo, at such times as the Juvenile Court judge shall direct. (Adopted, effective July 1, 1996) Rule 6.3 Attorneys for Parties in Dependency Proceedings (a) [Timelines] Attorneys for parties are
Reviewer note: Composed 2026-10-08 (California T4 San Mateo build 2026-10-08) from BenchPath custody ca/t4/ca-san-mateo/docs/local-rules/localrules.pdf (the court's rule book, “Local Court Rules As Amended Effective July 1, 2026”, as fetched 2026-10-08; 2288146 bytes, sha256 339b824c762c382bbe9451825137a370ed61c341ed5b7f53b448b46bb3dcca2b; 234 pages) with the shared verbatim composer (v2 reflow) over the Introduction and Divisions I to XI (PDF pages 33 to 210, each division's contents pages left out): each page's running header (“Superior Court of California, County of San Mateo”), its running label (the division's label, the page number and the page's revision date) and each division's “Return to Table of Contents” link box removed as chrome; lines reflowed into the rules' paragraphs; seven rule citations the reflow broke at a line end rejoined, the Court Schedule of Attorney Fees (Rule 6.1.1; a table printed without rules) set one printed row a line, and sixteen paragraph and heading breaks the reflow ran together set back - among them Division III's headings 3.8, 3.9 and 3.13, printed without the word “Rule” (24 whitespace-only fixes); Divisions II, IV and VI cut at their chapter headings, which reassemble them (Division II's Chapter 3 is “[RESERVED]”: its heading alone, no card); no struck character (the strike report); proof 1 (whitespace-only) and proof 2 (same character multiset as the text layer minus chrome) pass. The cover, the table of contents, the filing instructions, the List of Currently Effective Rules, the divisions' contents pages, Attachment I (the local court forms list) and the index belong to no chapter.
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.