Home California

California

Ventura County Superior Court

Ventura County Superior Court

The Ventura County Superior Court handles criminal cases which do not fall under the jurisdiction of another court. They also handle a myriad of other cases which fall under their jurisdiction, such as family law cases and civil cases. 
Criminal cases can include many types of charges, from misdemeanors to felony charges. Misdemeanors may include sentencing such as probation for those found guilty, while felony convictions will likely include jail time.
The purpose of the court system is to rehabilitate offenders. However, they must also provide a just punishment. The judges and juries at the Ventura County Superior Court seek to find a balance between the two goals.
The Ventura County Superior Court requires that those charged with a criminal offense have legal representation during the court proceedings. Those that can prove that they are unable to afford legal representation will be appointed a public defender to represent them in court. 
The judge may also allow those with legal knowledge or legal experience to represent themselves if they request to do so. However, it is very rare that a defendant may represent themselves as it can leave the case open to the possibility of a mistrial, if it can be proven than the judge should not have allowed the individual to represent themselves. 
There are other cases heard at the Ventura County Superior Court, including civil matters. Civil cases often include an individual seeking damages from another individual, usually compensatory damages. 

The Stanislaus County Superior Court

The Stanislaus County Superior Court

The Stanislaus County Superior Court has a juvenile division, which handles all court cases in which juveniles are accused of committing a crime. However, juveniles may sometimes face adult charges if the offense includes a serious crime.
The Stanislaus County Superior Court juvenile division handles traffic citations which are given to minors. Although they may face the same penalties as adults, juveniles may dispute those charges in the juvenile court. In some cases, such as driving without a license, the individual may be subjected to harsh penalties.
Dependency cases are also heard by the Stanislaus County Superior Court juvenile division. These cases involve children that have been neglected, abused or abandoned. The courts may appoint a legal guardian for the child or send them to foster care. They may also grant custody to a parent that previously had no parental rights, if they can demonstrate the ability to be a parent. Parents that are accused of abuse or neglect will face charges in family court or criminal court.
Cases handled by the juvenile division of the Stanislaus County Superior Court will likely be sealed and kept from public records. In fact, those records may also be released to the juvenile on their 18th birthday if the charges were not serious and especially if the child received a minor sentence, such as probation. 

Butte County Superior Court

Butte County Superior Court

There are many types of cases heard at the Butte County Superior Court and many of those cases have to go before a judge or jury. However, there are some cases which can be handled through mediation or alternative dispute resolution, which is available through the Butte County Superior Court.
Alternative dispute resolution, or ADR, is used to decide the options which are available to individuals that are involved in a dispute in an effort to avoid court proceedings. Examples of cases which may include alternative dispute resolution at the Butte County Superior Court can include divorce, civil cases and property disputes.
Divorces can sometimes be settled between the couple without the need of going through court proceedings. Couples simply need to take the time to sit down with a mediator, which may be court-appointed, and discuss the issues that need resolution. The couple first makes a list of things they agree on, such as ownership of vehicles.
The couple must then take the time to list the items disputed, such as spousal support. While it may take time, the couple may eventually come to an agreement on all of the clauses within a divorce agreement.
Once an agreement has been made, the couple needs to present the agreement to the judge at the Butte County Superior Court. The judge will likely approve the agreement, but they may overrule some clauses contained in the agreement, such as spousal support amounts that are deemed unfair to one party.

Sonoma County Superior Court

Sonoma County Superior Court

The Sonoma County Superior Court includes legal services, such as providing a public defender for those that cannot afford one. The Sonoma County Superior Court also offers conflict resolution so that individuals involved in a dispute may avoid court proceedings and come to an agreement on their own.
Civil cases are heard at the Sonoma County Superior Court when the involved parties cannot resolve the issue on their own. For instance, one individual may be suing another because they were injured on their property. That individual may seek compensatory damages for pain and suffering, medical bills and lost wages. 
Civil cases may also involve injuries sustained in a car accident, in which the at fault driver is sued by the injured parties. The insurance companies of both parties may attempt to come to a resolution outside of the courtroom, but when that does not occur the case is heard at the Sonoma County Superior Court.
Small claims Court is also a division at the Sonoma County Superior Court. These types of cases involve damages in small amounts, generally less than one thousand dollars. For instance, a homeowner may have hired someone to install a new bathroom. 
The installer may have failed to seal something properly, resulting in water getting into the walls. The homeowner may sue that individual in Small Claims Court and parties may be present without legal representation in most cases. 

Placer County Superior Court

Placer County Superior Court

Judges at the Placer County Superior Court may issue restraining orders in several types of circumstances. Generally, a restraining order prohibits an individual from getting close to the person protected by the restraining order. For example, they may not come within one hundred feet of that individual. 
They also may not contact the individual through e-mail, on the phone, in the mail, or in any other way. The individual must also not allow their friends to contact the person on their behalf. They may also be required to stay away from the individual’s family, friends, home, and place of business. 
Restraining orders can also have special clauses, as determined by the judge. Restraining orders may be issued against individuals involved in court proceedings when it is feared that they may take part in witness intimidation.
The Placer County Superior Court may also issue restraining orders in cases of domestic violence. For example, parents may only be allowed to visit their children under court supervision and may be restricted by a restraining order the rest of the time. 
They may also be utilized in spousal abuse cases as a means of keeping the victim protected. The Placer County Superior Court can also issue a restraining order in cases of elder abuse by family or a caregiver.
Restraining orders are somewhat effective at protecting victims from abusers. There are very clear cut rules which must be followed in the restraining order. Any violation usually results in an immediate arrest.

Los Angeles Superior Court

Los Angeles Superior Court

The LA County Superior Court handles a variety of cases, including civil, criminal and probate. The LA County Superior Court also handles certain traffic violations, including those which were given by county officers. In fact, the Court only handles traffic violations that do not fall under another court’s jurisdiction.
Tickets that are handled in the LA County Superior Court may include traffic violation or other types of citations, such as disorderly conduct offenses. Individuals that wish to simply pay the tickets can usually avoid going to court by pleading guilty and mailing in a check or bringing the check to the County Clerk. However, those that wish to plead innocent must go to court to do so.
Those that are accused of certain driving offenses, such as driving under the influence, would be tried in criminal court. In fact, there are many driving offenses which include criminal charges, such as vehicular homicide and manslaughter.
Those that appear at the LA Superior Court for traffic violations or criminal offenses committed while driving may be required to have a lawyer present during the court proceedings. Individuals are not entitled to free representation when they cannot afford it in cases that involve traffic violations. However, if the charges include criminal offenses, the court may appoint a lawyer to represent the individual. 

Orange County Clerk of Courts

Orange County Clerk of Courts

The Orange County Clerk of Courts can assist individuals in a variety of ways. First, individuals that need to file paperwork can obtain those documents form the Orange County Clerk of Courts, who may also assist with any questions regarding the documents.
Documents which may need to be filed with the Orange County Clerk of Courts may include those which are required to apply for a restraining order. Marriage licenses can also be obtained from the same office, as well as notices to seal documents.
Notices to seal documents are often utilized to protect individuals involved in a legal case. For example, documents may be sealed if a witness may be in danger, to protect their identity and address. The documents may also be sealed if they contain information which may be used in future court proceedings, including charges for accomplices.
Most documents that will be filed with the Orange County Clerk of Courts require a filing fee. In addition, they often have a deadline for filing, which will be explained by the Clerk. Any questions about the forms should be directed to the Clerk so that there is no delay in having the appropriate paperwork filed. For example, missing information or incorrect information may delay the filing. However, the Clerk is generally unable to answer legal questions, and instead individuals will have to seek legal advice from legal professionals. 

Riverside County Superior Court

Riverside County Superior Court

The Riverside Superior Court and the Riverside County Court handle cases which involve certain legal issues. For example, the Riverside County Court handles criminal cases which do not fall under any other jurisdictions, such as Federal jurisdiction. 
The Riverside Superior Court may handle issues such as those handled in the family court division. For example, the Superior Court may handle divorces and other cases which pertain to family issues, such as child custody agreements.  Child custody agreements can sometimes be worked out with a mediator, in which case the Riverside Superior Court would simply have to approve the agreement.
The Riverside Superior Court may also handle domestic violence cases. They may handle criminal charges in the case separate from other issues. For example, a victim of domestic violence may seek compensatory damages for pain and suffering, medical bills and lost wages which resulted from the injuries sustained. That case would be a civil case, separate from the criminal charges. The Riverside Superior Court may also issue a restraining order in the case.
Criminal cases are also heard at the courts, if they do not fall under another jurisdiction. Criminal cases may include theft, murder, and robbery, in addition to many other criminal charges. If the outcome of the case is challenged based on a misrepresentation of justice, the defendant may take the case to the Supreme Court to challenge the verdict. Any determination made by the Superior Court must be honored by the lower courts. 

Orange County Superior Court

Orange County Superior Court

The Orange County Superior Court handles probate cases, among others. They also handle civil cases, family cases and small claims cases, which usually include judgments of less than one thousand dollars.
The Orange County Superior Court handles issues that deal with wills. Probate courts may immediately determine that a will is legally valid. However, the courts may decide that the will is not legally valid or that clauses within the will are invalid.
Cases which include the Orange County Court declaring a will invalid include accusations of fraud. If there is any question as to who actually wrote the will, the courts will decide the case based on evidence. 
For example, handwritten wills which were not witnessed, or were only witnessed by individuals in the will, will likely be thrown out by the Court. If there are accusations that the benefactor was under duress when they wrote the will, the will may also be thrown out, depending on the evidence presented. 
There are a variety of ways to prove that a will was written free from duress and that it was written by the deceased, rather than someone else. The Orange County Superior Court will seek evidence, such as videotapes which were recorded  when the will was written. It is in fact always a good idea to have proof that the individual wrote the will and that it should be held legally valid in case there are ever any challenges. 

CA Supreme Court

CA Supreme Court

The California courts are divided according to the jurisdiction of each court. The CA DOJ handles many cases, including the presentation of evidence. For example, the county courts are generally found in the county seat or the capital of that county. The highest California courts are the supreme courts, which are directly above the California court of appeals.
The courts which are below the court of appeals are the Superior courts of California which encompass a myriad of types of cases. For example, divorce cases may be heard by the superior court. In fact, divorces which cannot be handled in mediation include the judge making all determinations for a divorce agreement. 
At the same level of court, judges may also determine spousal support payments, child support payments and child custody issues. However, issues that pertain to the children are handled separately from the divorce agreement.
Any cases which involve a possibility that there was an error of law in reaching a decision or judgment may be sent to the Supreme Court. The judges which make up the Supreme Court may decide to throw out a decision from the lower courts if it appears that any laws or rules of law were broken. 
In fact, the lower courts must abide by any decision made by the Supreme Court, including convictions which are thrown out, and the courts may have to retry a case in some circumstances. However, the State cannot send cases to the Supreme Court if they are unhappy with the outcome due to the double jeopardy rule. 

Alameda County Superior Court

Alameda County Superior Court

The Alameda County Superior Court has several divisions which handle different  types of cases. For example, the Criminal Division handles cases which involve criminal charges. The Juvenile Division handles cases in which those charged are under the age of eighteen, even if the offense is considered a criminal offense. 
The Juvenile Division may work in concert with the rest of the Family Law Division at the Alameda County Superior Court. In fact, many times the cases may overlap. For example, children that are neglected or abused may be charged with juvenile delinquency. In that case, the judge may order some form of rehabilitation, such as counseling, in addition to placing the child with a foster family. 
The foster family may be ordered to take the juvenile to counseling and to address any issues with that child. The family courts have a goal of making decisions which benefit the family unit as a whole, while providing just punishments.
Family Court at the Alameda County Superior Court may also handle cases which involve issues such as divorce. Again, issues of child custody may be involved in these cases. In any family law case, the courts look out for the best interests of the family unit, but especially any involved children. 
If the children are old enough, they may be asked which parent they wish to spend a majority of their time with. Yet, the decision regarding with whom the child lives is entirely up to the judge. 

Kern County Superior Court

Kern County Superior Court

The Kern County Superior Court handles criminal cases, among
many other types of cases. Criminal cases may include serious charges and the
defendant may be remanded until their case is decided.


Criminal cases heard at the Kern County Superior Court can
include attempted murder and murder charges. Individuals must have legal
representation for the trial, unless the judge allows them to represent
themselves. For those that are unable to afford a lawyer, a public defender
will be appointed.


The serious nature off criminal charges can include some
confusing court proceedings and legal terminology. The criminal attorney will
generally explain all of these details to the defendant before and during the
trial.


In cases where a jury will hear the case, attorneys from both
sides may select jury members from those present at the Kern County Superior Court.
In fact, jury members are usually assigned to a judge and then questioned by
both attorneys before they are selected for the jury.
 


Once the jury is selected, the trial will begin. If the outcome
of the trial appears to be based on misrepresentation of the law, the defendant
may ask the State Supreme Court to hear the facts of the case and determine if
laws were broken during the trial.


The Kern County Superior Court may include a number of criminal
cases being heard at the same time. In fact, there are many cases being heard
at the same time within the Kern County Superior Court, including civil and
probate cases. 

 

Easy Guide to the CA Courts

Easy Guide to the CA Courts

California Court Background
The California courts handle any cases which occur in the State, but do not fall under Federal jurisdiction. The Supreme Court is the highest court, but that Court does not handle trials. Instead, the Supreme Court handles cases in which someone involved in a case believes that the outcome was jeopardized because of evidence which should not have been admitted or other facts of law which jeopardized the case.
Riverside County Superior Court
The Riverside Superior Court handles many types of cases, including domestic violence, criminal cases and divorces. The courts are divided into divisions and cases are divided accordingly.
Orange County Clerk of Courts
The Court Clerk can assist individuals that need to file paperwork. For example, those wishing to file for a restraining order may be required to file paperwork asking the court to hear the case. The Clerk can provide those documents, as well as answer questions about the documents, but they cannot answer legal questions.
Orange County Superior Court
The Orange County Superior Court handles a variety of cases, including probate. The courts may immediately determine that a will is legally valid. However, the Court can also hear any legal challenges to a will, including accusations that the will was written under duress.
Los Angeles Superior Court
The LA County Superior Court may hear cases which involve traffic violations, if those cases do not fall under the jurisdiction of another court. Individuals accused of traffic violations may be required to have an attorney present and they are not entitled to free representation even if they cannot afford it.

Stanislaus County Superior Court
The Stanislaus County Superior Court has a juvenile division which handles all cases for those under eighteen, including traffic violations. Charges and sentences will likely remain sealed for those that face juvenile court. Those records may even be released on the individuals eighteenth birthday.

Kern County Superior Court
Criminal cases are heard at the Kern County Superior Court, including serious charges such as murder and attempted murder. Those that cannot afford an attorney in criminal cases will have an attorney appointed for them, unless the judge allows the defendant to represent themselves.

Alameda County Superior Court
Issues in family court which are heard at the Alameda County Superior Court may sometimes overlap with the juvenile division. The main purpose of both divisions is to work towards a good outcome for the family unit, while providing just punishment.

Ventura County Superior Court
The Ventura County Superior Court handles criminal cases. If the defendant cannot afford a lawyer, one will be appointed to represent their interests during court proceedings.
Contra Costa County Superior Court
Civil cases, criminal cases, family law cases, and juvenile cases are just a few which can be heard at the Contra Costa County Superior Court. The Court pays special attention to the 
details of the case in order to be sure that it is heard in the correct section of the Contra Costa County Superior Court.
Butte County Superior Court
The Butte County Superior Court offers dispute resolution in which individuals attempt to come to an agreement outside of the courtroom. Divorces commonly include dispute resolution as a first attempt to come to a divorce agreement. The judge simply has to approve any agreement the couple comes to. Those that cannot come to a resolution have the judge decide all of the clauses in the divorce agreement.
Placer County Superior Court
laws.com/court.laws.com/state court/Placer County Superior court
The Placer County Superior Court issues restraining orders in various circumstances, including abuse and witness tampering. There are very explicit restrictions laid out in restraining orders and violators are usually subject to immediate arrest.
Sonoma County Superior Court
Small claims cases are heard in the Sonoma County Superior Court. Oftentimes, the awards sought are less than one thousand dollars. For that reason individuals often represent themselves in the case, as the cost of a lawyer would negate any award.
Fresno County Superior Court
The Fresno County Superior Court encourages alternative conflict resolution in specific types of cases, such as divorce or civil cases. This form of resolution helps the involved parties to avoid court proceedings and they instead reach an agreement before going to court.