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Chapter 2 (Rules 2.00 to 2.08): meetings of the judges (Rule 2.00); the election, two (2) year term and removal of the Presiding Judge and Assistant Presiding Judge (Rule 2.01); the three (3) Divisions - Ventura (Hall of Justice), East County (Simi) and Juvenile (Oxnard) (Rule 2.02); notices of appeal and appellate documents filed with the Appeals Clerk in the Ventura Courthouse, juvenile appeals at the Juvenile Courthouse in Oxnard (Rule 2.02.1); small claims heard at the East County Courthouse by zip code (Rule 2.03); the Standards of Professional Conduct, Appendix I (Rule 2.05); judicial vacation and personal leave days (Rule 2.06); the Executive Committee (Rule 2.07); and written complaints about judges and subordinate judicial officers to the Presiding Judge and about court employees and services to the Court Executive Officer (Rule 2.08).
California > Second Appellate District > Ventura County > Superior Court of California, County of Ventura
CHAPTER 2: COURT ORGANIZATION, ADMINISTRATION AND PERSONNEL RULE 2.00 MEETINGS OF JUDGES A. ANNUAL AND SPECIAL MEETINGS. An annual meeting of the judges shall be held each year at a time and place to be designated by the Presiding Judge. Special meetings of the judges shall be held at such times and places as may be designated by the Presiding Judge, or a majority of the judges. B. NOTICE OF MEETINGS: QUORUM. Written notice shall be given by the Executive Officer and Clerk to each judge not less than four (4) days before an annual meeting. Written or oral notice shall be given at least 24 hours before a special meeting. A majority of the judges shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of court business at a meeting. (Revised effective January 1, 2002) RULE 2.01 PRESIDING JUDGE AND ASSISTANT PRESIDING JUDGE ELECTION, TENURE AND REMOVAL A. Nominations for Presiding Judge and Assistant Presiding Judge shall occur at a special meeting of the Executive Committee called by the Presiding Judge, as to which the Judges shall receive reasonable advance notice. The membership of the Executive Committee shall be as set forth in Rule 2.07. B. Any Judge may nominate another Judge, or any Judge may self-nominate, for Presiding Judge or Assistant Presiding Judge at the special meeting of the Executive Committee. C. The special meeting of the Executive Committee shall occur in the month of August in the calendar year preceding expiration of the terms of the Presiding Judge and Assistant Presiding Judge, unless otherwise provided in this rule. D. The election of the Presiding Judge and the Assistant Presiding Judge shall occur at a special meeting of the Judges called by the Presiding Judge, as to which the Judges shall receive reasonable advance notice. The special meeting of the Judges shall occur not later than two (2) weeks after the special meeting of the Executive Committee at which the nominations are made. The notice of the special meeting of the Judges shall include the names of the nominees for Presiding Judge and Assistant Presiding Judge. E. At the special meeting of the Judges, the Presiding Judge and the Assistant Presiding Judge shall be elected by the vote of a majority of the Judges of the Court. The vote shall be by secret ballot. Judges may vote by restricted or unrestricted proxy. A restricted proxy must be in writing. The identities of all Judges voting by proxy, as well as a specification of whether the proxy is restricted or unrestricted, must be disclosed before the secret ballot voting commences and entered in the minutes of the special meeting. The Presiding Judge shall, with the assistance of a member of the Executive Committee selected by the Presiding Judge, count the ballots. A nominee or nominating Judge shall not participate in the counting of the ballots. Once they are duly elected as set forth above, the Presiding Judge and Assistant Presiding Judge shall serve a term of two (2) years beginning January 1st in the calendar year following the election. If a Presiding Judge or Assistant Presiding Judge is removed in conformity with this rule or resigns, the subsequently elected Presiding Judge or Assistant Presiding Judge shall serve a term equal to the remaining unexpired term of the removed or resigned Presiding Judge or Assistant Presiding Judge. F. The special meeting of the Executive Committee and the special meeting of the Judges concerning the election of the Presiding Judge and/or Assistant Presiding Judge may occur at a time other than as set forth above, at the discretion of the Presiding Judge or Acting Presiding Judge, in the event of an emergency or other exigent circumstance, including, but not limited to, the death, incapacity or resignation of the Presiding Judge or Assistant Presiding Judge, provided that reasonable advance notice of such special meeting is given to the Judges. G. The Assistant Presiding Judge shall exercise the duties set forth in rule 2.07 and any others assigned by the Presiding Judge. H. In the absence of the Presiding Judge, the Assistant Presiding Judge shall serve as the Acting Presiding Judge and exercise the powers of the Presiding Judge. I. This rule shall be construed in a manner consistent with California Rules of Court, rule 10.602. J. The Presiding Judge shall have the duties and authority set forth in California Rules of Court, rule 10.603. K. The Presiding Judge or Assistant Presiding Judge may be removed from office by the vote of a majority of the Judges of the Court at a special meeting of the Judges. The special meeting may be called upon the motion of any Judge of the Court, seconded by another Judge of the Court, made at a regularly-scheduled meeting of the Judges. If the motion to schedule a special meeting of the Judges for the purpose of removing the Presiding Judge or Assistant Presiding Judge passes with the votes of a majority of the Judges of the Court, then the Presiding Judge shall schedule the special meeting of the Executive Committee for nominations to the position of Presiding Judge or Assistant Presiding Judge to occur a reasonable time after the meeting at which the motion passed. Additionally, the Presiding Judge shall schedule the special meeting of the Judges for the purposes of removal of the Presiding Judge or Assistant Presiding Judge and election of the replacement of the Presiding Judge or Assistant Presiding Judge to occur not later than two (2) weeks after the special meeting of the Executive Committee, with reasonable advance notice to the Judges of the Court. The removal vote and election vote shall be by secret ballot. The ballots shall be counted as follows: (1) If the special meeting concerns removal of the Presiding Judge, by the Assistant Presiding Judge and another member of the Executive Committee other than the Presiding Judge, who shall be selected by the Assistant Presiding Judge. (2) If the special meeting concerns the removal of the Assistant Presiding Judge, by the Presiding Judge and another member of the Executive Committee other than the Assistant Presiding Judge, who shall be selected by the Presiding Judge. (3) Any Judge making or seconding a motion to schedule a special meeting of the Judges for the purpose of removing the Presiding Judge or Assistant Presiding Judge shall not participate in the counting of the ballots. (Revised effective January 1, 2026) RULE 2.02 LOCATION OF COURT SESSIONS There shall be three (3) Divisions of the court as follows: A. The Ventura Division, with its principal office located at the Hall of Justice, 800 South Victoria Avenue, Ventura, California 93009. B. The East County (Simi) Division, with its principal office located at 3855-F Alamo Street, Simi Valley, California 93063. C. The Juvenile Division, with its principal office located at the Juvenile Justice Complex, 4353 Vineyard Avenue, Oxnard, California 93036. There shall be one or more courtrooms of the court at each of the above divisions, as determined by the Presiding Judge of the court. The designation and location of courtrooms may be changed from time to time by the Presiding Judge and need not necessarily be within the confines of the courthouse. (Revised effective July 1, 2004) RULE 2.02.1 FILING NOTICE OF APPEAL AND APPELLATE DOCUMENTS A. APPEALS TO THE COURT OF APPEAL, 2ND APPELLATE DISTRICT, DIVISION 6. Notice of Appeal and all documents relating to completion of the appellate record must be filed with the Appeals Clerk located in the Ventura Courthouse. This rule applies to Civil unlimited, Family Law, Mental Health, Probate and felony Criminal appeals. Notice of Appeal and all documents filed relating to the appeal in a Juvenile Dependency or Juvenile Delinquency case must be filed at the Juvenile Courthouse located in Oxnard. B. APPEALS TO THE APPELLATE DIVISION OF THE SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF VENTURA SUPERIOR COURT. Notice of Appeal and all documents relating to the appeal must be filed with the Appeals Clerk located in the Ventura Courthouse. These rules apply to Civil limited, Criminal misdemeanor and infraction appeals including Juvenile infractions. C. SMALL CLAIMS APPEALS. Small Claims Appeals may be filed with the Appeals Clerk the Small Claims Clerk at the Ventura Courthouse. (Effective July 1, 2012) RULE 2.03 VENUE OF EACH DIVISION The venue of each division of the court shall embrace the geographical area of the County of Ventura, except as follows: A. All small claims cases with the following Zip Codes (as designated by defendant’s residence at the time of commencement of the action or, if based on contract, the nearest place to which the contract was entered into) will be heard at the East County Courthouse (Simi Valley): 91301 93020 91302 93021 91304 93062 91307 93063 91360 93064 91361 93065 91362 93093 91377 B. All other Zip Code designated small claims cases will be heard at the Juvenile Courthouse (Oxnard) and/or the Hall of Justice (Ventura). (Revised effective July 1, 2023) RULE 2.04 COURT EMPLOYMENT CONFLICT OF INTEREST CODE (Deleted effective January 1, 2026) RULE 2.05 STANDARDS OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT All attorneys should be familiar with the Standards of Professional Conduct published as Appendix I to these rules. (Revised effective January 1, 1999) RULE 2.06 JUDICIAL VACATION AND PERSONAL LEAVE DAYS A. VACATION. Judicial vacation days and use are authorized consistent with California Rules of Court, rule 10.603(c)(2). A judge’s vacation day is defined as follows: A day of vacation for a judge of the Superior Court of California, County of Ventura, is an approved absence from the court for one full business day. Absence from the court listed in California Rules of Court, rule 10.603(c)(2)(H) are excluded from this definition. B. PERSONAL LEAVE. Judicial personal leave days and use are authorized consistent with California Rules of Court, rule 10.603(c)(2)(D), in that a judge may take two personal leave days a year at any time that is approved by the presiding judge. (Effective July 1, 2007) RULE 2.07 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE 1. Pursuant to California Rules of Court, rule 10.605, the Presiding Judge shall appoint an Executive Committee comprised of the following voting members: • The Presiding Judge • The Assistant Presiding Judge • The Immediate Past Presiding Judge • The Supervising Judge of the Civil Division • The Supervising Judge of the Criminal Division • The Supervising Judge of the Family Law Division • The Presiding Judge of the Juvenile Division • The Presiding Judge of the Appellate Division (a) The Court Executive Officer shall serve as an ex officio, non-voting member of the Executive Committee, without the need for appointment by the Presiding Judge. 2. The duties of the Executive Committee shall be to assist, support, and advise the Presiding Judge concerning the following: (a) The Presiding Judge’s review, approval, oversight and supervision of the Court’s annual budget, including the establishment and implementation of the budgetary priorities of the Court. The Court’s Administrative staff, including but not limited to the Court Executive Officer and Court Chief Financial Officer, shall provide the Presiding Judge and the Executive Committee with drafts of the proposed budget, and all other information the Presiding Judge deems necessary to understanding and evaluating the proposed budget, a sufficient time before the Presiding Judge’s final approval of the budget to permit the Executive Committee to review such information and advise the Presiding Judge, and to permit the Presiding Judge to consult with the Judges of the Court pursuant to California Rules of Court, rule 10.603, subdivision (a)(6)(A), concerning the proposed budget. (b) The Court’s administrative and operational policies and procedures, including advice to the Presiding Judge about proposed changes or modifications to improve the efficiency of Court operations and promote the core mission of the Court: to provide the public with prompt, fair and equal access to justice. (c) The hiring, compensation, and evaluation of the performance of the Court Executive Officer. (d) Other issues or tasks at the request of the Presiding Judge. 3. The Executive Committee shall meet once per month or otherwise at the direction of the Presiding Judge, provided that the Executive Committee shall not meet less frequently than every other month. The Presiding Judge shall serve as the chairperson of the Executive Committee. Any judge may attend the Executive Committee Meeting, except in the instance of a closed session called by the Presiding Judge. 4. This rule is intended to and shall be construed in a manner consistent with, and not modifying or limiting in any way, the authority and responsibilities of the Presiding Judge as defined in California Rules of Court, rule 10.603. (Revised effective July 1, 2025) RULE 2.08 COMPLAINTS A. Judges and Subordinate Judicial Officers – Complaints regarding judges and subordinate judicial officers must be submitted in writing, except where an individual is unable to submit a written complaint due to disability. Each complaint will be considered carefully, and a written response will be provided as appropriate. Written complaints must be addressed to the Presiding Judge at: Ventura Superior Court P.O. Box 6489 Ventura, CA 93006-6489 and must include an address where the court’s response, if any can be sent. B. Court Employees and Services – Complaints regarding court employees and services, other than those related to a particular court case or governed by Local Rules 3.24.1, 9.21, 9.35, 9.43, or 12.02K, must be submitted in writing, except where an individual is unable to submit a written complaint due to disability. Each complaint will be considered carefully, and a written response will be provided as appropriate. Written complaints must be addressed to the Court Executive Officer at admin-vsc@ventura.courts.ca.gov or Ventura Superior Court P.O. Box 6489 Ventura, CA 93006-6489 and must include an address where the court’s response, if any can be sent. (Effective January 1, 2026)
CHAPTER 2: COURT ORGANIZATION, ADMINISTRATION AND PERSONNEL RULE 2.00 MEETINGS OF JUDGES A. ANNUAL AND SPECIAL MEETINGS. An annual meeting of the judges shall be held each year at a time and place to be designated by the Presiding Judge. Special meetings of the judges shall be held at such times and places as may be designated by the Presiding Judge, or a majority of the judges. B. NOTICE OF MEETI
Reviewer note: Composed 2026-10-07 (California T4 Ventura build 2026-10-07) from BenchPath custody ca/t4/ca-ventura/docs/general/ventura_county_rules_of_court.pdf (9476523 bytes, sha256 1d89183a36d880b3483586b9c4f3c9554799c2a7bb7bc9907c2200c2b01483c7; 116 pages; this card is from the rule body, pages 10 to 77, composed once and cut at the chapter headings) with the shared verbatim composer (v2 reflow). The running header (“Ventura County Superior Court Rules”, “July 1, 2026”) and the page numbers removed as chrome; the cover, the judges and officers page, the table of contents, Appendix II (the fee schedule), Appendix III (the local forms lists) and the index belong to no card; Chapters 16, 23, 24 and 27 print only deleted rules (no card); the strike report found no struck text; lines reflowed into the court's paragraphs, each rule heading on its own line; proof 1 (whitespace-only) and proof 2 (same character multiset as the text layer minus chrome) pass. Review note: Rule 2.03 sets its small claims zip codes in two columns, read row by row. Published as printed: Rule 2.02.1(C) “filed with the Appeals Clerk the Small Claims Clerk”.
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.