California Rule of Court 2.1033 governs juror questions, requiring trial judges to allow jurors to submit written questions for witnesses, with procedures for attorneys to object outside the jury's presence before the judge poses the questions to the witness. This rule promotes juror engagement by letting them ask relevant questions, which the judge screens to ensure they are proper, allowing for clarification and better understanding of the evidence, as noted on the California Courts website.
Permissive electronic filing, mandatory electronic filing, and electronic filing by court order. A court may permit parties by local rule to file documents electronically in any types of cases, subject to the conditions in Code of Civil Procedure section 1010.6, Penal Code section 690.5, and the rules in this chapter.
Pursuant to California Rules of Court, section 2.1006, a mother who is breastfeeding a child may request that jury service be deferred for up to one year, and may renew that request as long as she is breastfeeding, however the request must be in writing, under penalty of perjury.
All papers not filed electronically must be printed or typewritten or be prepared by a photocopying or other duplication process that will produce clear and permanent copies equally as legible as printing.
Under CCP § 583.310, an action must be brought to trial within five years after it is commenced against the defendant. An action “commences” on the date the original complaint is filed with the court against the defendant. If other defendants are later added, those actions will have a different date of commencement.
The hardest cases to win in court generally involve sexual assault (especially against minors), first-degree murder, and complex white-collar crimes, due to intense public emotion, high stakes, lack of physical evidence in sex crimes, and complicated financial details that confuse juries. Cases involving allegations against vulnerable victims, like children, are particularly challenging as jurors' strong feelings can overshadow evidence, while proving insanity or defending clients in federal cases also presents major hurdles.
Debt collectors may not be able to sue you to collect on old (time-barred) debts, but they may still try to collect on those debts. In California, there is generally a four-year limit for filing a lawsuit to collect a debt based on a written agreement.
Spacing and numbering of lines. The spacing and numbering of lines on a page must be as follows: (1) The lines on each page must be one and one-half spaced or double-spaced and numbered consecutively.
Proposed jury instructions. (B) "Special jury instructions," meaning instructions from other sources, those specially prepared by the party, or approved instructions that have been substantially modified by the party.
A reckless driving conviction stays on your driving record for up to 10 years in California. This can affect your insurance rates and your ability to drive legally. However, under certain conditions, it may be possible to have the conviction expunged.
For most state courts, potential jurors can be excused for valid reasons such as suffering severe financial hardship as a result of jury duty or being a medical caregiver, the sole caretaker of a young child or a full-time student.
Changes on face of paper. Any addition, deletion, or interlineation to a paper must be initialed by the clerk or judge at the time of filing.
Each electronic filer must: (1) Comply with any court requirements designed to ensure the integrity of electronic filing and to protect sensitive personal information. (2) Furnish information the court requires for case processing.
Application and scope. (1) All electronic records must be made reasonably available to the public in some form, whether in electronic or in paper form, except those that are sealed by court order or made confidential by law.
(Subd (c) relettered and amended effective January 1, 2023; adopted as subd (b).) (1) When a child indicates that he or she wishes to address the court, the judicial officer must consider whether involving the child in the proceedings is in the child's best interest.
To determine the amount of the court lien for waived fees and costs, any party to a civil action in which an initial fee waiver has been granted may ask the clerk to calculate the total amount of court fees and costs that have been waived as of the date of the request. Rule 3.57 adopted effective July 1, 2009.
Electronic recordings presented or offered into evidence. (1) Before a party may present or offer into evidence an electronic sound or sound-and-video recording of deposition or other prior testimony, the party must lodge a transcript of the deposition or prior testimony with the court.
Bifurcation of issues. As part of the noticed Request for Order (FL-300) of a party, the stipulation of the parties, case management, or the court's own motion, the court may bifurcate one or more issues to be tried separately before other issues are tried.
Procedures for filing records under seal. A record must not be filed under seal without a court order. The court must not permit a record to be filed under seal based solely on the agreement or stipulation of the parties.
Rule 2.550(d)-(e) is derived from NBC Subsidiary. That decision contains the requirements that the court, before closing a hearing or sealing a transcript, must find an "overriding interest" that supports the closure or sealing, and must make certain express findings.
Actions by court on receipt of electronic filing. When a court receives an electronically submitted document, the court must promptly send the electronic filer confirmation of the court's receipt of the document, indicating the date and time of receipt.
New Authorities. If a party learns of significant new authority, including new legislation, that was not available in time to be included in the last brief that the party filed or could have filed, the party may inform the Court of Appeal of this authority by letter.
The new law goes into effect on July 1, 2025, and will change the landscape for commercial debt lenders operating in California. The Rosenthal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (Act) presently prohibits debt collectors2 from engaging in unfair or deceptive acts or practices in the collection of consumer debts only.
Use this 11-word phrase to stop debt collectors: “Please cease and desist all calls and contact with me immediately.” You can use this phrase over the phone, in an email or letter, or both.
Although debt collectors and creditors can't threaten to have you arrested or sent to jail for unpaid debt, they are allowed to sue you. You'll know you've been sued because you'll receive a civil court order and summons.