Do I need an attorney before my court appearance?
You can hire your own attorney, but you can also wait until your first court appearance. You’ll be given the option of having time to hire your own attorney, sign a waiver to represent yourself in court, or apply for a public defender.
Who can serve my documents?
Anyone 18 and over who is not a party to your case
How are trial court judges chosen in California?
If a judge’s seat is vacant outside of an election period, the governor will appoint a judge for a 6-year term. At the end of that, the judge will run for election.
Which court has jurisdiction over my civil case?
Civil court has the ultimate jurisdiction, but there are levels for different financial thresholds. Small claims is for $10,000 or less, Limited Civil is for $10,001 to $25,000, and Unlimited Civil is for cases involving more than $25,000.
How do I obtain birth and death certificates?
You can contact the County Clerk’s Office for both of those.