STATEWIDE
Court Emergency Orders - Courts take measures in response to the COVID-19 virus. View »
Judicial Council Hears Report on State Budget Proposal’s Impact to Judicial Branch. More »
May 19, 2020: Supreme Court Rolls Out Oral Argument by Videoconference. More »
May 14, 2020: California Chief Justice Statement on May Budget Revise. More »
May 12, 2020: Council to Hold Regular Business Meeting May 15. More »
May 12, 2020: Judicial Council Launches Working Group to Aid Courts in Pandemic Recovery. More »
April 29, 2020: California Chief Justice Extends Criminal Trial Deadlines. Amid COVID-19 pandemic, the deadline to hold criminal trials has been extended a total of 90 days. More »
April 27, 2020: California Supreme Court Orders Bar Exam Delayed, Administered Online. More »
Last Updated: 5/19
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Superior Courts by County
May 13: Urgent Release: Court Reopening. All Court Locations Will Reopen To The Public On May 26, 2020 At 8:00 A.M. More »April 29: General Order Re: Implementation of Emergency Relief Authorized by Chair of Judicial Council. More »
April 28: Urgent Release: Court Closure This Notice Supersedes All Others Previously Issued. More »
April 27: Emergency Local Rules: Family (Second Amended). More »
April 15: Supplemental Emergency Local Rules: Civil. More »
The Court is closed to the public until at least April 28, 2020. The Court will accept applications for domestic violence, civil harassment, and gun violence restraining orders beginning April 6, 2020. The process will be set forth in Emergency Local Rules. The Court will not schedule hearings or reset hearings that were scheduled during the closure period until the Court reopens, with the exception of urgent matters.
Last Updated: 5/13
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Imperial
May 11: The Imperial County Superior Court is currently hearing the following via remote technology: criminal and misdemeanor cases; juvenile hearings, and some civil and orobate matters. Effective May 11, some family law matters will be heard remotely. Traffic, small claims and family support are all being continued. More » April 30: General Order re: Implementation of Emergency Measures. More » April 30: Amendment to Local Rules. More » April 17: General Order re: Implementation of Emergency Relief Authorized Pursuant to Government Code Section 68115 by the Chair of the Judicial Council. More » April 13: Release: 2020 Emergency Bail Schedule. More » April 9: Amendment to Local Rules – Video Attendance of Victims. More » April 7: General Order re: Implementation of Emergency Measures — the Court is requiring criminal judicial proceedings to be conducted remotely. All criminal matters will proceed as set with all participants appearing remotely. If Defendant chooses not to waive personal presence, the Court will address the matter at the remote proceeding to allow for Defendant's personal presence when safe to do so.More »
El Centro Courthouse reopened April 1, limited to criminal and juvenile matters, restraining order cases, and other matters necessary to protect public safety. The Court will hold criminal hearings limited to felony cases and any in-custody misdemeanor defendants. Juvenile cases will be heard as well as domestic violence and other restraining order hearings. Some civil matters will be heard but will be limited to emergency requests and counsel can only appear via video conferencing.
Last Updated: 5/11Visit Site »
Kern
May 19: Emergency Local Rule No. 2 – Facial Coverings Required in All Courthouse Buildings. More »
May 11: Emergency Local Rule No. 1 – Compliance with the Speedy Trial Act. More »
May 1: General Order Re: Implementation of Emergency Relief. More »
April 30: General Order Re: Implementation of Emergency Relief. More »
April 28: Presiding Judge Judith K. Dulcich And Court Executive Officer Tamarah Harber-Pickens Announce Innovations In Court Operations. More »
April 8: Presiding Judge Judith K. Dulcich Announces Continued Changes To Court Operations. More »
Last Updated: 5/19
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Los Angeles
ATTENTION: No Traffic or Non-Traffic citation matters will be heard before June 22. If you have a hearing set before that date, please do not come to the courthouse as you will be turned away. You will receive in the mail a new date for your ticket to be heard after June 22.
May 13: Presiding Judge Kevin C. Brazile Extends Order Closing Courtrooms, Delaying Trials And Non-Essential Matters Through June 10. More »
May 9: Presiding Judge Kevin C. Brazile Announces Mandatory Usage Of Face Coverings By Judicial Officers. More »
May 6: New Online Tool To Help Parents Resolve Custody Disputes Without Coming To Court. More »
May 1: More Than 250 People Released So Far From L.A. County Jail System Under Statewide Emergency Bail Schedule. More »
April 21: Court Offers Options To Help People Resolve Or Delay Traffic, Non-Traffic Infraction Matters During Covid-19 Health Crisis. More »
April 21: Presiding Judge Kevin C. Brazile Lauds County Justice Partners For Collaboration On New County-Wide Video Appearance Project. More »
April 16: Presiding Judge Brazile provides an updated outline of the proceedings in each litigation area that are considered essential and/or emergency under the current emergency orders.. More »
April 15: Presiding Judge Kevin C. Brazile Extends Order Closing Courtrooms, Delaying Trials And Non-Essential Matters For 30 Days. All courtrooms will remain closed for judicial business through May 12, except time-sensitive, essential functions. More »
Last Updated: 5/26
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Orange
May 22: Orange County Superior Court to Resume Jury Trials. More »
May 21: Orange County Superior Court Announces Soft Re-Opening. More »
May 14: Traffic Citations
DMV - Driver’s Licenses License Holds Released Temporarily. More »
May 12: Criminal Law Update: COVID-19 Hearing Request form & Motion to Continue Felony Case and Waiver of Defendant’s Personal Appearance Form. More »
May 12: Orange County Trial Lawyers Association donates 1,000 protective face masks
to the Superior Court. More »
May 6: Temporary Emergency Local Rule 1: Suspension of Case Management Conferences Due to Pandemic. More »
April 28: Amended Implementation of Emergency Order (3rd) Court Closure 4/27/20 to 5/22/20 - April 28, 2020 – 2:00 pm. More »
April 27: General Order No. 8: Re: Juvenile Court Closure (Supersedes Amended General Order No. 5). More »
April 24: Court Closure Extended to May 22 (COVID-19). More »
Last Updated: 5/22
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Riverside
May 21: General Order re: Essential Functions – Limited Civil Trials. Read the release »
May 19: Riverside Superior Court Restores Services In Juvenile Law Matters. Read the release »
May 15: Riverside Superior Court Restores Services In Family Law Matters. Read the release »
May 14: Closure extended to Friday, May 29, 2020. Read the release »
May 14: General Order 2020-25 Re: Family Law Division
Emergency Reorganization. Read the release »
May 11: General Order re: Additional Essential Functions - Probate and Restraining Order Hearings. Read the release »
May 8: Restoration of Probate Services. Read the release »
April 29: The court will be extending its temporary closures through Friday, May 15, 2020. Read the release »
Last Updated: 5/21
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San Bernardino
May 15: Temporary Reduction of Clerk's Office Hours Due to COVID-19. More »
May 15: COVID-19 Face Covering and Social Distancing Requirements. More »
May 1: Presiding Judge Sachs Issues Sixth Amendment to Implementation Order Effective May 1. More »
April 30: Fifth Amendment to Implementation of Emergency Relief. More »
April 24: San Bernardino Superior Court Launches Virtual Law Day Program. Read the release »
April 22: Presiding Judge Sachs Issues Fourth Amendment to Implementation Order Effective April 22. Read the release »
April 22: Fourth Amendment to Implementation of Emergency Relief. More »
Last Updated: 5/15
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COURT CLOSURE EXTENDED THROUGH May 22, 2020
May 26, 2020: San Diego Superior Court Services Resumed on May 26, 2020 »
May 22, 2020: San Diego Superior Court to Offer Additional Services Effective Tuesday, May 26 »
May 14, 2020: San Diego Superior Court Announces Re-Scheduling Process for Cases Affected by the COVID-19 Closure »
May 14, 2020: General Order 051420-53 In Re: Extension of Time to Hold Arraignments and Preliminary Hearings »
May 14, 2020: General Order 051420-52 In Re: Face Coverings Required in Courthouses and Temperature Screening »
May 13, 2020: General Order 051220-51(A) In Re: Restoration of Civil Services »
May 12, 2020: General Order 051220-50 In Re: Livestream Audio Broadcasting of Certain Court Proceedings »
May 6, 2020: General Order 050620-49 In Re: Continuance of Public Service Program (PSP) Enroll-By and Proof of Completion Dates »
May 4, 2020: General Order 050420-48 In Re: Lanterman-Petris-Short Act Conservatorships »
April 30, 2020: General Order 043020-47 In Re: Third Implementation Order of the Presiding Judge Re COVID-19 Pandemic »
April 29, 2020: San Diego Superior Court Extends Service Suspension through May 22 »
April 24, 2020: Full List of San Diego Superior Court Services Currently Available During COVID-19 Closure »
Last Updated: 5/26
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San Francisco
The Court has reduced operations and is only providing necessary and essential services. This is to reduce the number of jurors, parties, and attorneys in the Court for the time period of March 17 through June 1, 2020, as advised by public health officials.
April 30: General Order Re: Implementation of Emergency Relief. More »
April 13: General Order of the Presiding Judge re: Implementation of emergency relief authorized purusant to Statewide Orders by the Chief Justice. Read here »
April 1: General Order re: Implementation of emergency relief authorized purusant to the Governor's March 27, 2020 Executive Order N-38-20 and March 30, 2020 Statewide Order by the Chair of the Judicial Council. Read here »
Last Updated: 5/14
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San Luis Obispo
May 21: The Superior Court of San Luis Obispo County announces the resumption of criminal jury trials. More »
May 11: New local rule (2.09) for the Superior Court of San Luis Obispo County to address court appearances via video conferencing hearings. More »
May 1: Synopsis of Emergency Orders. More »
April 10: Administrative Order Re: Implementation of Emergency Relief Authorized by Governor and Chair of Judicial Council. More »
April 6: Amendments to the California Rules of Court »
Effective Monday, March 23, 2020 through April 10, 2020: • The Paso Robles and Grover Beach courthouses will be closed entirely, including closure of the exterior drop-boxes. No operations will occur at these facilities. • The San Luis Obispo Courthouse Annex will be closed except for matters on the Court’s calendar. Entrance to the San Luis Obispo location will only be available on Monterey Street. The Palm Street entrance will be closed. • Due to significantly reduced staffing, remote options including contact by telephone will now be reserved for critical and essential court business only.
Last Updated: 5/21
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Santa Barbara
May 21: Expansion Of Court Services. More »
May 9: Court Operations Plan. More »
May 1: GENERAL ORDER RE: Extensions. More »
May 1: 5/1/20 Court Operations Plan. More »
April 24: Santa Barbara County Superior Court Extended Closure Through May 23, 2020, Traffic Fines Extension, And Courtroom Protocols. More »
April 23: General Order Staying Evictions In Consideration Of State Of Emergency. More »
April 13: GENERAL ORDER RE: Implementation of Emergency Bail Schedule Pursuant to Amendments to the California Rules of Court By Order of Judicial Council. More »
April 9: The Santa Barbara County Bail Schedule is superseded and the Judicial Council Order dated April 6, 2020 will be applied until further notice.
Last Updated: 5/21
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Sonoma
The Court is Closed to the Public March 16, 2020 through May 31, 2020 with minimal exceptions for time sensitive matters, or matters pertaining to the safety and the security of the community.
April 28: First Amended Omnibus General Order of the Presiding Judge Re Court Operations. More »
April 20: Addendum to the April 15, 2020, General Order Regarding the Implementation of Emergency Relief. More »
April 17: Temporary Emergency Rule 12: Attorneys Required to Serve and Accept Papers by Electronic Service. More »
April 16: Omnibus General Order of the Presiding Judge Re Court Operations. More »
April 15: General Order Regarding the Further Implementation of Emergency Relief Filed on April 15, 2020. More »
April 15: Third Amended Order Rescheduling Department 18 Matters. More »
Last Updated: 4/28
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Ventura
May 22: Family Law - Order Vacating Mandatory Settlement Conferences & Status Conferences. More »
May 18: AMENDED Mandatory Guidelines for Custody/Visitation Orders in Response to COVID-19 (Effective 6/1/2020). More »
May 14: Civil - Procedure for Civil Stipulations & Orders & Requests for Dismissal. More »
May 12: COVID-19 Court User Updated
The Presiding Judge of the Superior Court has ordered court closure due to the COVID-19 local emergency. The Ventura Superior Court continues with limited operations that started Thursday, March 19th and now goes through Tuesday, June 9th. More »
May 12: Current Emergency Orders as of 5/12/2020. More »
May 12: Civil - Procedure for Civil Stipulations & Orders. More »
May 12: Family Law - Procedure for Stipulations &. Orders/Judgments, Wage Assignments, and Off-Calendar Matters. More »
May 12: Probate - Procedure for Probate Stipulations & Orders. More »
May 12: Juvenile Dependency and Other Proceedings Heard in Courtroom J1 in Response to COVID-19. More »
May 12: Emergency Orders in Juvenile Justice/Delinquency Cases: Remote Appearances and Document Filing. More »
May 6: Ventura Superior Courts Update - ASL Announcement. More »
May 1: Covid-19 Court Closure Update. More »
Last Updated: 5/18
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US District Courts
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Guidance Page »
5/1: New and Amended Local Rules Effective June 1, 2020. More »April 13: Further Measures Taken in Response to COVID-19 Pandemic. The Court’s Continuity of Operations Plan (“COOP”) remains activated and is extended through and including June 1, 2020. Read the release »
March 31: All regularly scheduled grand jury proceedings in the Central District of California are suspended and continued to May 4, 2020. Chief Judge Virginia A. Phillips announces the Court has activated its Continuity of Operations Plan (“COOP”), effective March 23, 2020 through and including May 1, 2020. All of the Courthouses of the Central District of California will be closed to the public except for hearings on criminal duty matters.
Last Updated: 5/1
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May 20: Notice Of Coronavirus Reopening Measures. More »
May 15: Criminal Case Proceedings During the COVID-19 Public Emergency. More »
May 6: Chief Judge Order #26 Re: Criminal Case Procededings During the COVID-19 Public Emergency. More »
April 30: Face Coverings During The COVID-19 Emergency. More »
April 29: Criminal Local Rule 16.1.a Meet and Confer Requirement. More »
April 15: Extending Suspension of Jury Trials and Other Proceedings during the COVID-19 Public Emergency. More »
April 14: Order of the Chief Judge #23: Administrative and Civil Forfeiture Proceedings During the COVID-19 Public Emergency. More »
Last Updated: 5/20
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Notice: All Court of Appeal districts and the California Supreme Court have now adopted orders extending any deadline under the Rules of Court by 30 days if it falls between now and mid-April (the specific dates vary district by district).
California Supreme Court
May 13: Supreme Court Oral Argument Calendar for June 2 and 3, 2020. More »
April 29: Supreme Court Oral Argument Calendar for May 19 and 20, 2020. More »
April 27: California Supreme Court Orders Bar Exam Delayed, Administered Online. More »
April 15: SUPREME COURT OF CALIFORNIA ORAL ARGUMENT CALENDAR SAN FRANCISCO SESSION MAY 5, 2020 - Due to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic and related public health directives from state and local authorities, the procedures specified by Administrative Orders 2020-03-13 (March 16, 2020) and 2020-03-27 (March 27, 2020) apply. More »
Last Updated: 5/13
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California Courts of Appeal:
First District
April 15: The Court of Appeal, First Appellate District, will be holding telephonic oral argument for the duration of the COVID-19 emergency. The courtroom will be closed to the public. The public can, however, listen to oral argument by calling 855-855-8556, and entering the access code below for the appropriate division hearing argument that day. Please consult the oral argument calendarPDF file type icon for the dates that each division is holding oral argument. »
April 15: Implementation Order For The Renewed Order Pursuant To Rule 8.66 Of The California Rules Of Court. More »
April 9: Implementation Order for Order Authorizing Retroactive Application of Amended Rule 8.66 of the California Rules of Court. More »
The court is operating with a reduced staff. The court will continue to receive correspondence and filings both via paper and electronically. Access to the court by phone will be limited. An order was issued extending by no more than 30 additional days the time in which to do any act required or permitted under the California Rules of Court. This order is to be in effect for proceedings in which the deadline for any action in the California Rules of Court would occur between March 18, 2020, and April 17, 2020. No application for an extension shall be required.
Last Updated: 4/15
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Second District
April 19: Notice of Destruction of Court Records. More »
April 15: Implementation Order For The Renewed Order Pursuant To Rule 8.66 Of The California Rules Of Court. More »
April 9: The 2nd District Court of Appeal authorized retroactive application of amended rule 8.66 of the California Rules of Court. More »
All in-person oral argument suspended in Los Angeles. Counsel will appear remotely via video conference, by telephone conference, or by other electronic means as available and arranged by the Clerk’s Office until further notice. An order was issued authorizing the court to extend the time to do any act required or permitted under the California Rules of Court by 30 additional days. No application for an extension is required.
Last Updated: 5/19
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Third District
May 13: The Court has posted instructions for the public to listen to oral argument. Read the guidelines »
April 29: The Court has posted Guidelines for Telephonic Oral Argument. Read the guidelines »
April 22: The Court entered Miscellaneous Order 2020-001 regarding the application of the Renewed Order to briefs in juvenile dependency appeals and writs. More »
April 17: Implementation Order For The Renewed Order Pursuant To Rule 8.66 Of The California Rules Of Court. More »
April 13: Implementation Order for Order Authorizing Retroactive Application of Amended Rule 8.66 of the California Rules of Court. More »
All oral arguments scheduled at the Court of Appeal, Third Appellate District, will be telephonic. If you are scheduled for oral argument, please call the Clerk’s Office and provide a telephone number, preferably a landline, where you can be reached. An order was issued extending by no more than 30 additional days the time in which to do any act required or permitted under the California Rules of Court, for proceedings in which the deadline for any action in the California Rules of Court would occur between March 20, 2020, and April 19, 2020. The Court of Appeal, Third Appellate District, is postponing the Sixth Mediator Training Session, currently scheduled for May 2020, until further notice.
Last Updated: 5/13
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Fourth District
May 5: Effective Monday, May 11th, the Fourth District will no longer accept cash as a method of payment. Payments will be accepted by credit card or check only.
April 16: Misc. Order 041620 regarding juvenile dependency briefs. More »
April 15: In The Court Of Appeal Of The State Of California Fourth Appellate District - Implementation Order For The Renewed Order Pursuant To Rule 8.66 Of The California Rules Of Court. All time periods specified by the California Rules of Court that occur during the time period between April 19, 2020, through and including May 18, 2020, are hereby extendedfor30daysfromthedateofthespecifiedevent. More »
April 14: This Court issued a standing order suspending in-person oral argument until further notice. Under this Court’s March 20 order, counsel will deliver oral argument remotely through video conference, telephone conference, or other electronic means. More »
April 13: All in-person oral argument sessions in the Court of Appeal, Fourth Appellate District, Division Three, are suspended. Counsel who choose to present oral argument must do so telephonically until further notice.
Also, the Clerk’s Offices in the Fourth District remain open but we are unable to answer in-person questions at this time. For all paper filings including emergency writs, if you are unable to file your papers electronically, you may use the drop-box located in the Clerk’s Office lobby in order to minimize in-person contact in light of COVID-19. The drop-box will be checked every hour.
Last Updated: 5/5
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Fifth District
May 15: Virtual Oral Arguments promote access to justice during the COVID-19 pandemic. More »
April 20: Juvenile dependency matters are excluded from the April 16 order. More »
April 16: Implementation Order For The Renewed Order Pursuant To Rule 8.66 Of The California Rules Of Court Order No. 2020-04-16. More »
April 13: Implementation Order for Order Authorizing Retroactive Application of Amended Rule 8.66 of the California Rules of Court. More »
April 13: Order Substituting Video-Conferencing For In-Person Oral Argument. More »
The Court has suspended all in-person oral argument. Oral arguments can be viewed live on the Court’s website using the “Oral Argument Webcast” button. By March 23 order: the time to do any act required or permitted under the California Rules of Court is extended by 30 additional days. No application for an extension is required. This order applies to proceedings in which the deadline for any action in the California Rules of Court occurs between March 23, 2020, through and including April 22, 2020.
Last Updated: 5/15
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Sixth District
April 29: Oral argument sessions in the Sixth District Court of Appeal are being conducted telephonically. Court proceedings will be open to the public and members of the press telephonically. See the instructions for Listen-Only Telephonic Oral Arguments »
April 16: Implementation Order For The Renewed Order Pursuant To Rule 8.66 Of The California Rules Of Court. More »
April 9: Implementation Order for Order Authorizing Retroactive Application of Amended Rule 8.66 of the California Rules of Court. More »
The building where the Sixth District Court of Appeal is located has closed to the public. The time to do any act required or permitted under the California Rules of Court is hereby extended by 30 additional days. No application for an extension shall be required. This order applies to proceedings in which the deadline for any action in the California Rules of Court occurs between March 18, 2020, through and including April 17, 2020. Pursuant to Misc. Order 20-001, oral argument sessions in the Sixth District Court of Appeal are suspended. The court will continue to receive correspondence and filings electronically.
Last Updated: 4/29
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U.S. Court of Appeals, 9th Circuit
May 1: Press release: Tech Savvy Ninth Circuit Leading the Way During the COVID-19 Pandemic . More »
April 16: Ninth Circuit Judicial Council Approves Declaration of Judicial Emergency in the Eastern District of California. More »
April 9: Ninth Circuit Judicial Council Approves Declaration of Judicial Emergency in the Central District of California. More »
April 2: Ninth Circuit Judicial Council Approves Declaration of Judicial Emergency in the Southern District of California More »
Oral Arguments: Arguments currently scheduled in March, April, and May 2020 are being evaluated one at a time and orders will issue in those cases giving direction to the parties. Panels may exercise their discretion under the rules to submit cases without argument; to postpone argument to a later date; or to hold argument via telephone or video. When argument is held, it will be live streamed to facilitate public access.
Access to the Courthouses: Until further notice, our courthouses are closed to the public during non-court weeks. Attorneys and parties who have access to CM/ECF are strongly encouraged to use it for everything, including new petitions for review and original proceedings. Full release »
Last Updated: 5/1
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Courts using "CourtCall" service
The Judicial Council of California and CourtCall have entered into an addendum to the existing Master Agreement to allow for the reduction of the telephonic appearance fee in participating California courts to $54.00 for telephonic appearances newly scheduled on and after March 19, 2020 and to occur prior to April 30, 2020. As of March 25, CourtCall is fully operational, serving all CourtCall courts, attorneys, justice partners and the public across California and around the world. CourtCall's Los Angeles-based staff is working remotely, supported by additional staff and operational redundancies across the United States. If possible, please verify with the court that your hearing is still proceeding as scheduled before contacting CourtCall. Please use online scheduling if possible. Live agents can only take orders for hearings on 3/26 - 3/27. For later dates or other inquiries, click here.
Last Updated: 5/12
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