By Michael G. Stogner

Everybody and their mother knew this was going to happen.

Notice of Emergency Local Rule 3-101 temporarily suspending civil ex parte

UPDATED DECEMBER 30, 2021 COVID-Related Rescheduling of Hearings Temporary Courtroom Closure 1/3/2022 through 1/14/2022: Please click here for more information. CIVIL EX PARTES: Pursuant to Emergency Local Rule 3-101, effective January 1, 2022, all ex partes in civil law and motion matters are temporarily suspended until further order of the Court. Please click here for Civil Division information: http://www.sanmateocourt.org/court_divisions/civil/. CRIMINAL: All Preliminary Hearings currently scheduled between 1/3/2022 and 1/14/2022 will be heard at the Southern Courthouse at 400 County Center in Redwood City. If your Preliminary Hearing is scheduled for the Northern Courthouse in South San Francisco, you should appear on the same scheduled date and time at 400 County Center in Redwood City, not South San Francisco.
Please click here for Criminal Division information: http://www.sanmateocourt.org/court_divisions/criminal/. SMALL CLAIMS: All small claims hearings currently scheduled at 1:30 PM and 5:30 PM between 1/3/2022 and 1/14/2022 will be rescheduled to a later date. A notice of new hearing dates will be mailed to impacted parties. Please click here for Small Claims Division information: http://www.sanmateocourt.org/court_divisions/small_claims/.TRAFFIC: All traffic arraignment and court trial hearings currently scheduled between 1/3/2022 and 1/14/2022 will be rescheduled to a later date. Customers will receive their new date in the mail, sent to the address on the citation. 
Please click here for Traffic Division information:  http://www.sanmateocourt.org/court_divisions/traffic

UPDATED NOVEMBER 22, 2021 Public Access Policy Updated 11/22/21 – The listen-only public access lines are no longer in effect; proceedings are open to the public to attend in person.

San Mateo County Superior Court is committed to continuing public access to court proceedings during and after the pandemic emergency. Due to COVID-19 and public health concerns, the Court has shifted to convene some court proceedings remotely in order to eliminate the need for individuals to attend hearings in person. This is to reduce the number of visits by the public to the courthouses, thereby minimizing potential infection of the public and staff. 

At this time, members of the public may attend a court proceeding in person. The Court is committed to maintaining a safe workplace for our staff and the public. Each courtroom can accommodate a different number of seats in the audience. You will need to check-in with the bailiff when you enter the courtroom. The bailiff will inform you as to whether or not there is an available seat, or if capacity has been reached. If capacity has been reached, you may remain outside the courtroom until someone leaves. Face coverings are required at all times inside the courthouse.

Zoom may not be used for public access without the approval of the judicial officer.