Civil Department

Civil

Civil Case Processing Delays

The Court is currently experiencing a backlog in processing Civil case filings and documents. The dates provided are estimates only and are intended to give you a general idea of current processing times. We are unable to provide specific completion dates for individual submissions.

If your submission date is significantly earlier than the processing date shown, please contact the Clerk’s Office during regular business hours for assistance.

We understand the importance of timely processing and are working to address the backlog as quickly as possible. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Civil information

• Lodi Court contact information
• Manteca Court contact information
• Pro Per Clinic hours and services
• Download civil form packets
• Download name change form packets

Civil Case Assignment

Under Local Rule 3-101, civil cases are assigned to a judicial officer when the case is filed. The assigned judicial officer will oversee all aspects of the case, including trial.

At the time of filing, the Clerk’s Office issues a Notice of Case Assignment and Notice of Hearing, identifying the assigned judge and department.

Important Reminder: A copy of this notice must be served on all named defendants along with the summons, complaint, and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) information.

The notice will include the following statement:

“This case has been assigned to Judge ______________ in Department _____ for all purposes, including trial.”

Please Note: The Presiding Judge retains the authority to assign or reassign cases as necessary.

Remote Appearances for Civil Hearings

Parties may appear remotely for case management conferences, law and motion hearings, and ex parte hearings, in accordance with Code of Civil Procedure section 367.75 and California Rules of Court, rule 3.672.

What You Need to Know:

• No Notice to the Court Required: The Court does not require advance notice for remote appearances at these hearings.
• Notice to Other Parties: Parties may stipulate (agree, verbally or in writing) to waive the requirement to notify each other of a remote appearance.
• In-Person Appearance May Be Required: The judicial officer may require parties to appear in person.
• When Remote Appearance Is Not Allowed: You must appear in person if the tentative ruling requires it or the Court notifies you that an in-person appearance is necessary.

How to to attend:

Hearings, the Court provides a telephone bridge conference line (audio only).

To attend remotely, call (209) 992-5590 and follow the prompts. Use the bridge number and PIN for the department:

• Dept. 10A (Judge Abdallah): Bridge 6938; PIN 3784
• Dept. 10B (Judge Bañuelos): Bridge 6939; PIN 3892
• Dept. 10C (Judge Lee): Bridge 6937; PIN 6822
• Dept. 10D (Judge Soldati): Bridge 6940; PIN 3782
• Dept. 11A (Judge Zendejas): Bridge 6934; PIN 5986
• Dept. 11B (Judge Waters): Bridge 6941; PIN 5564

Zoom Appearances

The judicial officer may allow appearances by Zoom video. The Court may provide the Zoom link or require that a party provide notice in order to prepare and provide a zoom link.

Important: Recording, taking screenshots, copying, or rebroadcasting any part of a remote court proceeding is prohibited.

Hearings That Require In-Person Attendance

Parties must appear in person for the following proceedings unless the judicial officer approves a remote appearance in writing:

• Evidentiary hearings
• Settlement conferences
• Bench and court trials
• Jury trials
• Order to Show Cause hearings

How to Request a Remote Appearance

At least 10 court days before the hearing: File and serve a Notice of Remote Appearance (RA-010) and submit an Order Regarding Remote Appearance (RA-020) for the judicial officer's approval.

Opposing a remote appearance: Any party may file and serve an Opposition to Remote Proceedings (RA-015) at least 5 court days before the hearing.

Provide copies to the department: Deliver a copy of any remote appearance request or opposition to the department where the hearing will take place.

The judicial officer will approve or deny the request. Unless you receive written approval, you must appear in person.

Remote Appearance Etiquette for Case Management Conferences

For case management conferences and further case management conferences:

• The courtroom clerk will make announcements, and the judge will call cases.
• Keep your microphone muted when you are not speaking.
• Unmute your microphone when it is your turn to speak.

Law and Motion Hearings

Hearing Schedule: Tuesday through Friday at 9:00 a.m., except when Tuesday is the first court day of the week.

Scheduling a Hearing:

• When filing a motion, provide at least five available hearing dates that meet the required legal deadlines.
• The Clerk’s Office will review the dates for availability.
• Proof of service must be filed before the scheduled hearing.

Remote Appearances: Motions are heard remotely unless the judge or department requires an in-person appearance.

Court assignment information

View our Court Schedules & Judicial Assignments

Courtesy Copies

Under Local Rule 3-117, courtesy copies are required for all substantive motions and trial documents. The judge may also require courtesy copies for other filings.

• Where to Submit: Place courtesy copies in the drop box on the first floor.
• Failure to provide required courtesy copies may result in hearing delays, monetary penalties, or other sanctions permitted by law (Code of Civil Procedure sections 128 and 575.1).

Petitions to Approve a Minor's Compromise

Petitions to approve a minor's compromise are heard on Mondays only by the Probate Judge, currently Judge Devencenzi in Department L2.

Hearings are scheduled in accordance with California Rules of Court, rule 7.950.

Tentative rulings

The Stockton Courthouse uses tentative rulings for law and motion hearings, excluding unlawful detainer (eviction) cases.

View a Tentative Ruling

Tentative rulings are posted online by 1:30 p.m. the court day before your hearing.

Visit Tentative Rulings and follow the instructions.

How to Contest a Tentative Ruling

If you disagree with a tentative ruling and wish to present oral arguments, you must complete the following by 4:00 p.m. the court day before your hearing:

1. Notify the Court: Email civilcourtclerks@sjcourts.org.
2. Include in the email subject line: Department, case number, case name, and party name.
3. Include in the email message:
   • Department number, case number, and case name
   • Motion being heard and hearing date/time
   • Your name and email address
   • Issues you wish to argue
   • Confirmation that you notified the opposing party
4. Notify the Other Parties: Inform all affected attorneys and self-represented parties that you intend to contest the tentative ruling.If you do not notify both the Court and the other parties by the deadline, the tentative ruling becomes the Court's final ruling without oral argument.

Contact the Courtroom Clerk

Courtroom clerks are currently unable to provide information by phone.

For questions, email civilcourtclerks@sjcourts.org. Include the department, case number, case name, and party name in the subject line.

Ex parte matters

To schedule an ex parte matter, contact the appropriate civil courtroom for approval before filing documents in the clerk’s office. This process does not include unlawful detainers (evictions).

Mandatory settlement conferences: trial counsel, parties, and persons with full authority to settle must personally attend unless excused by the judge for good cause.

Telephone appearances information

Unless otherwise ordered, parties may appear by telephone at case management conferences, law and motion hearings, and fast track (OSC) hearings. To appear by telephone, follow the instructions in the “Notice of how to appear remotely” section above. Counsel and self-represented parties must be available at the designated time and remain available until the matter is heard.