Recent Changes in Sacramento Superior Court
by Lorraine Dias Herbon

Electronic Filing Comes to Sacramento

The big day has dawned! The Sacramento Superior Court is proud to announce its Small Claims E-Filing system, available at www.saccourt.com. This new system provides litigants with a way to initiate a small claims action, or to file a cross-complaint in an existing small claims action, via the Internet. Currently processing more than 12,000 cases each year in its small claims division, this is the first step in the court's on-going commitment to providing easier access to court services.

A party wishing to file in small claims court can begin the process by reading a background page that provides basic information on jurisdictional limitations, fees, and the software and computer capability necessary to utilize the system. Easy-to-use links provide the user with access to the Judicial Council's Small Claims Courts Information Center and to the information page developed by the California Department of Consumer Affairs.

From there, a user-friendly website provides a more detailed look at the small claims process, as well as helpful practical advice for litigants. Moving through a series of questions, the litigant fills in all appropriate information to prepare the claim, including names, addresses, circumstances, and amount sought. Payment options for court fees are equally user-friendly, allowing the claimant to pay with a credit card or to file an on-line application for fee waiver.

Developed by the Court with the assistance of Microsoft Consulting Services and Carta, Inc., of Sacramento, it is expected that this system will serve as a pilot for courts statewide. The court has received positive feedback from the public, as well as from other courts throughout the state, interested in implementing this product in their jurisdictions.

New Locations and Times for Civil Law & Motion and Civil Settlement Conference

Effective March 5, 2001, departments 53, 54, and 59, housing civil law & motion and civil settlement conferences, will move from their current locations. These departments will be located at 800 9th Street (at the corner of 9th and H Streets), formerly the home of family court services and probate. The new location will provide much-needed space for these three busy departments and their support staff.

Departments 53 and 54 will not hold hearings on Friday, March 2, and Monday, March 5. The first day for the new calendars will be Tuesday, March 6. There will be no disruption in scheduling for department 59's settlement conferences.

In addition to the physical move, the calendar times are changing as well. Departments 53 and 54 will share a courtroom on the third floor. The calendar for department 53, heard by Judge Charles Kobayashi, will be called at 2:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Ex parte requests will be scheduled starting at 8:30 a.m., Monday through Friday. The calendar for department 54, heard by Judge Joe Gray, will be called at 9:00 a.m., Monday through Friday. Ex parte requests will be scheduled starting at 2:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

There will be no changes to the current tentative ruling system. Parties can continue to access tentative rulings for the next court day after 2:00 p.m. each weekday. As always, these rulings are available through the court's web site, www.saccourt.com, or by telephone at (916) 874-8142.

More Information to Come to the Court's Internet Site

In December, the Court launched the new version of its website, saccourt.com, providing even more information than had been available on the former site. This was only phase A of a three-phase project. By early March, the Court will be launching phase B, which will include still more instructional information for Court users. Anticipated additions will include web pages on the civil law & motion process; a "frequently asked questions" page; enhanced information on felony and misdemeanor processes; and still more instructional materials to supplement the court's extensive information for users of the family relations division. The court's homepage at saccourt.com will continue to be updated to provide information on the latest happenings affecting the court and its users.

We welcome your comments and suggestions about our website. Our goal is to provide the information you need to work more efficiently with our court. You may address e-mails to WebManager@saccourt.com or write to Web Manager, Sacramento Superior Court, 720 Ninth Street, Sacramento, California, 95814.