Mendocino Superior Court Filing Timing and Cure Windows

CRITICAL

Criminal, juvenile delinquency, and juvenile dependency documents filed the day before a matter is on calendar must be e-filed by 3:00 p.m.

In addition, if parties or their counsel are filing criminal, juvenile delinquency, or juvenile dependency documents on the day before a matter is on calendar, the documents must be e-filed no later than 3:00 pm.

CRITICAL

Drop-box documents date- and time-stamped by 5:00 p.m. are filed as of the date received.

Documents date and time stamped on or before 5:00 p.m. will be filed as of the date received.

CRITICAL

Drop-box documents without a date and time stamp are filed the next business day, regardless of when they were deposited.

Documents not date and time stamped will be filed the next business day regardless of when the documents were placed in the drop box.

CRITICAL

Ex parte or emergency order applications other than restraining orders must be reserved for review no later than 11:00 a.m. on the scheduled review date.

Ex Parte/Emergency Orders Applications other than Restraining Orders. Applications for ex parte/emergency order have been reserved for review no later than 11:00 am on the day of the scheduled review.

CRITICAL

Ex parte restraining-order applications must be filed in the reserved branch by 11:00 a.m. on the review day, in person or by e-filing.

Applications for ex parte restraining orders must be filed in the branch of the court at which the ex parte has been reserved for review no later than 11:00 am on the day of the scheduled review either in person in the clerk’s office or by e-filing pursuant to local rule 1.8(a).

CRITICAL

Opposition to an ex parte application other than a restraining-order application must be served on the opposing party and filed in person with the clerk in the reserved branch by 11:00 a.m. on the review day.

Ex Parte Applications other than Restraining Orders. Any opposition to an ex parte application must be served on the opposing party and filed in person with the clerk in the branch of the court where the ex parte request has been reserved no later than 11:00 a.m. on the day of the scheduled review.

CRITICAL

Opposition to a restraining-order ex parte application must be submitted by 11:00 a.m. on the review day.

Restraining Order Ex Parte Applications. Any opposition to an ex parte application for restraining order must be served on the opposing party and submitted to the court by efiling, by e-mail at exparte@mendocino.courts.ca.gov, or filed in-person at the courthouse where the ex parte application review has been reserved no later than 11:00 a.m. on the day of the scheduled review.

CRITICAL

A transcript’s filing date is the date and time it is uploaded.

The date and time that a transcript is uploaded will constitute the filing date of the transcript

CRITICAL

Deadline

4 court days

Filings in probate matters setting a hearing must be filed by 1:30 p.m. four court days before the hearing.

All filings of probate matters setting a hearing must be filed no later than 1:30 p.m. four court days before hearing.

CRITICAL

The clerk will not accept moving papers setting a hearing less than four days after filing unless accompanied by a signed order shortening time.

The clerk will not accept any moving papers setting a hearing date less than four (4) days from the filing date unless a signed court order shortening time is presented along with the moving papers.

WARNING

Deadline

2 business days

The clerk’s office will process and return e-filed documents within two business days.

Documents that have been e-filed will be processed and returned by the clerk’s office within two (2) business days.

WARNING

Filings presented to the clerk after 1:30 p.m. will be set for the next probate calendar that allows four court days before the hearing.

All filings for a hearing that are presented to the clerk after 1:30 p.m. will be set for the next probate calendar allowing for four (4) court days before the hearing.

We could not find this wording in the court's document. Open the source before relying on it.CRITICAL?

No request to place a matter on calendar, except a request to set a detention hearing, will be accepted by the clerk or placed on calendar, unless the request is submitted in writing before 3:30 p.m. and not less than five (5) business days before the hearing and is accompanied by a proof of service. Any request filed after 3:30 p.m. will be deemed late and will not be accepted for filing.

We could not confirm this summary. Read the court's wording below.WARNING?

Incomplete documents, documents without the appropriate filing fees (if applicable), or documents submitted in error will be returned to the filing party unprocessed.

We could not confirm this summary. Read the court's wording below.INFO?

Supplementary instructions can be submitted and received by the court at such time and condition as may be just.

CRITICAL

Deadline

5 business days

Exhibits may be e-filed five business days before the hearing and must be served on all parties at least two business days before the hearing.

Exhibits may be e-filed five (5) business days before the hearing and must be served on all parties a minimum of two (2) business days prior to the hearing date.

CRITICAL

Deadline

5 business days

Exhibits filed in an electronic format must be filed and served on all parties at least five business days before the hearing.

Exhibits filed in an electronic format must be filed five (5) business days before the hearing and served on all parties a minimum of five (5) business days prior to the hearing.

CRITICAL

Deadline

2 business days

Documents in civil, family law, and probate cases must be e-filed at least two full business days before the hearing.

Documents in civil, family law, and probate cases must be e-filed no later than two (2) full business days prior to the court hearing.

CRITICAL

Deadline

5 business days

Self-represented litigants who do not e-file must file exhibits with the MEX-171 Exhibit Cover Sheet in the clerk’s office five business days before the hearing.

Self-represented litigants who are not e-filing their documents must file their exhibits, with local form MEX-171 Exhibit Cover Sheet, in the clerk’s office five (5) business days before the hearing and must serve their exhibits on the opposing party two (2) business days before the hearing.

CRITICAL

Deadline

5 business days

Exhibits filed in an electronic format must be filed five business days before the hearing and served on all parties at least two business days before the hearing.

Exhibits filed in an electronic format must be filed five (5) business days before the hearing and served on all parties a minimum of two (2) business days prior to the hearing.

CRITICAL

Deadline

2 business days

Out-of-custody defendants must file form MCR-115 with the clerk by noon two business days before the hearing to request remote appearance.

Out-of-custody defendants requesting to appear remotely for the initial court appearance, arraignment, plea, and all other proceedings must obtain written authorization from the court. Defendants must file local form MCR-115 Request for Remote Appearance in a Criminal Proceeding with the clerk no later than noon two (2) business days prior to the hearing to request a remote appearance.

CRITICAL

Deadline

1 business days

A person who decides to appear remotely after receiving another party’s notice must notify the court and everyone who has appeared in the action by noon one business day before the proceeding.

If after receiving notice from a party choosing remote appearance, a person who has not given notice also decides to appear remotely may do so by notifying the court and all others who have appeared in the action by no later than noon one (1) business day before the proceeding.

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 10, 2026CRITICAL

A non-applicant or non-moving party choosing to appear remotely must notify the court and all parties who have appeared by noon the business day before the proceeding.

Any party other than the applicant or moving party that chooses to appear remotely must provide notice of their intent to the court and all other parties that have appeared in the action no later than noon the business day before the proceeding.

CRITICAL

Deadline

3 business days

A party opposing a request to appear remotely must file form RA-030 with the court by close of business three business days before the proceeding.

Any party may oppose the request to appear remotely by filing with the court Judicial Council form RA-030 Request to Compel Physical Presence – Juvenile Dependency no later than the close of business three (3) business days before the proceeding.

CRITICAL

Claimants must submit billings when the case work concludes, subject to a July 15 deadline for work spanning fiscal years and a 30-day deadline in other cases.

Claimants, including attorneys, investigators, experts, expert witnesses, and others must submit billings when work on the case has been concluded, unless the time worked spans more than one (1) fiscal year. In such instances, claimants must submit billings for the work performed in the first fiscal year no later than July 15th. In all other instances, billings must be presented within 30 days of the conclusion of the case.

CRITICAL

Deadline

5 business days

Counsel must file a joint or separate pretrial statement at least five business days before the scheduled pretrial conference, as required by the order setting the conference.

Pursuant to the order setting the action for pretrial conference, counsel must file a Joint Pretrial Statement or separate Pretrial Statement no less than five (5) business days before the scheduled pretrial conference.

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 10, 2026CRITICAL

Applies to

Trial brief

Trial briefs are due on or before the pretrial conference, or no later than the Friday before trial if no conference is scheduled.

Trial Briefs. On or before the date of the pretrial conference. No later than the Friday before trial in the even that no pretrial conference is scheduled.

CRITICAL

Deadline

5 business days

Applies to

Motion in limine

Motions in limine under Local Rule 2.4(a) are due at least five business days before the pretrial conference.

Motions in Limine Pursuant to Local Rule 2.4(a). No less than five (5) business days before the pretrial conference.

CRITICAL

Deadline

5 business days

Applies to

Jury voir dire questions

Jury voir dire questions under California Rules of Court rule 3.1549 are due at least five business days before the pretrial conference.

Jury Voir Dire Questions Pursuant to California Rules of Court rule 3.1549. No less than five (5) business days before the pretrial conference.

CRITICAL

Deadline

5 business days

Applies to

Proposed jury instructions

Proposed jury instructions under California Rules of Court rules 2.1055 and 2.1058 are due at least five business days before the pretrial conference.

Proposed Jury Instructions Pursuant to California Rules of Court rules 2.1055 and 2.1058. No less than five (5) business days before the pretrial conference.

CRITICAL

Deadline

5 business days

Applies to

Proposed verdict forms

Proposed general or special verdict forms are due at least five business days before the pretrial conference.

Proposed General or Special Verdict Forms. No less than five (5) business days before the pretrial conference.

CRITICAL

Applies to

List of exhibits

The list of exhibits under Local Rule 2.5 is due on or before the pretrial conference date.

List of Exhibits Pursuant to Local Rule 2.5. On or before the date of the pretrial conference

CRITICAL

Deadline

5 business days

Applies to

Motion in limine

Unless otherwise ordered, each party must file and serve motions in limine addressing significant disputed legal issues and foreseeable procedural or evidentiary issues at least five business days before the pretrial conference.

Motions in Limine: Unless otherwise ordered, each party must file and serve all motions in limine on significant disputed issues of law and foreseeable procedural or evidentiary issues no less than five (5) business days before the date of the pretrial conference.

CRITICAL

Deadline

1 business days

Applies to

Motion in limine opposition

Any written opposition to a motion in limine must be filed and served at least one business day before the pretrial conference.

Written opposition to a motion in limine, if any, must be filed and served at least one (1) business day prior to the pretrial conference.

CRITICAL

A counter-request for a jury trial is due within five calendar days after notice served by email or personally, or within ten days after the clerk mails notice.

If a counter-request for jury trial is demanded in an unlawful detainer action, such demand must be made no later than five (5) calendar days after notice of a trial date set by the clerk, if the party was served with the notice by email or by personal service, or ten (10) days if notice is mailed by the clerk of the court.

CRITICAL

Deadline

5 business days

The jury-fee waiver forms must be filed at least five business days before trial.

If relief is sought for the waiver of jury fees, the mandatory Judicial Council form FW-002 Request to Waive Additional Court Fees, with an accompanying mandatory Judicial Council form FW-003 Order on Court Fee Waiver, must be filed at least five (5) business days prior to the date of the trial.

CRITICAL

Deadline

5 business days

A request to calendar a matter requires at least five business days’ written notice and filing local form MCR-103 with supporting documents.

Parties wanting to place a matter on calendar must provide at least five (5) business days written notice to the court and opposing counsel by filing local form MCR-103 Request to Calendar Case and supporting documents with the clerk’s office.

CRITICAL

Deadline

5 business days

Penal Code section 1538.5 motions and qualifying Penal Code section 995 motions must be calendared at least five business days before trial.

Motions pursuant to Penal Code § 1538.5 will be calendared no less than five (5) business days before trial. b. 995 Motions. Motions pursuant to Penal Code § 995 to dismiss one (1) or more charges in a felony case after the preliminary hearing will be calendared no less than five (5) business days before trial.

CRITICAL

Unless a pretrial conference order or other trial-judge order provides otherwise, verdict forms and special interrogatories must be submitted by 9:00 a.m. on the first day of trial.

Unless otherwise ordered by any pretrial conference order in the case or other order from the trial judge, verdict forms and special interrogatories must be submitted no later than 9:00 a.m. on the first day of trial.

CRITICAL

Requested and proposed jury instructions must be filed the day before the final trial readiness conference and/or motions in limine conference held during the week before trial.

All requested and proposed jury instructions must be filed the day before the final trial readiness conference and/or motions in limine conference that is held during the week before the trial.

CRITICAL

Absent good cause, letters and other written submissions will not be considered unless served on opposing counsel and lodged with the court by 2:30 p.m. the day before the hearing.

Absent a showing of good cause, the court will not consider letters or other written submission which are not served on opposing counsel and lodged with the court by 2:30 p.m. on the day before the hearing.

CRITICAL

The judge must direct the District Attorney or defense counsel to prepare and submit form CR-165 for signature within 30 days after the court loses jurisdiction, including when a state prison commitment is imposed.

The judge will direct the District Attorney or counsel for the defendant to prepare and submit for signature Judicial Council form CR-165 Notice of Termination of Protective Order in Criminal Proceeding within 30 days of the court no longer having jurisdiction over the case, including imposition of a state prison commitment.

CRITICAL

If the Criminal Protective Order is not addressed in court at the specified case events, the clerk must prepare and submit a Notice of Termination within 30 days of case resolution.

If the Criminal Protective Order is not addressed in court at the time of plea, at judgment and sentencing after court or jury trial, or at the time the charges are dismissed, the clerk will, within 30 days of resolution of the case, prepare a Notice of Termination and submit to the hearing judge for signature or to the presiding judge in their absence.

CRITICAL

When a motion under Penal Code § 1203.2 is granted, the judge must direct the District Attorney or defense counsel to prepare and submit form CR-165 for signature within 30 days.

Upon granting of a motion pursuant to Penal Code § 1203.2, the judge will direct the District Attorney or counsel for the defendant to prepare and submit for signature Judicial Council form CR-165 Notice of Termination of Protective Order in Criminal Proceeding within 30 days.

CRITICAL

If the Criminal Protective Order is not addressed in court when probation is terminated under Penal Code § 1203.2, the clerk must prepare and submit a Notice of Termination within 30 days of case resolution.

If the Criminal Protective Order is not addressed in court at the time of termination of probation pursuant to Penal Code § 1203.2, the clerk will, within 30 days of resolution of the case, prepare a Notice of Termination and submit to the hearing judge for signature or to the presiding judge in their absence.

CRITICAL

Deadline

5 business days

Calendar requests, except requests to set detention hearings, must be submitted at least five business days before the hearing.

No request to place a matter on calendar, except a request to set a detention hearing, will be accepted by the clerk or placed on calendar, unless the request is submitted in writing before 3:30 p.m. and not less than five (5) business days before the hearing and is accompanied by a proof of service.

CRITICAL

Deadline

2 business days

Responsive papers must be filed and served two business days before the hearing.

Any responsive papers must be filed and served two (2) business days prior to the hearing.

CRITICAL

Court-appointed counsel must notify the court ten days before any hearing day on which counsel is unavailable.

All court appointed counsel must notice the court ten (10) days prior to hearing days in which counsel is unavailable.

CRITICAL

Deadline

5 business days

The restitution report must be submitted to the court and counsel at least five business days before the scheduled hearing.

The restitution report must be submitted to the court and counsel at least five (5) business days prior to the scheduled hearing.

CRITICAL

Deadline

3 business days

CASA reports must be filed with the court at least three business days before the hearing.

CASA reports will be filed with the court at least three (3) business days prior to the hearing.

CRITICAL

Deadline

2 business days

Counsel may request transport or remote appearance for a locally incarcerated party by written request filed in the case or sent to the juvenile clerk at least two business days before the hearing.

Counsel for any party who is incarcerated in the Mendocino County jail or other local detention facility whose parental rights are subject to adjudication in the juvenile court, may request that the party be transported to court or appear remotely by way of written request filed in the case or sent directly to the juvenile clerk no less to than two (2) business days in advance of the hearing.

CRITICAL

The petitioner or counsel must file the financial institution’s receipt within 15 days after the deposit order.

It is the duty of the petitioner or their counsel to file the receipt described above with the court no later than 15 days after the order requiring the sum to be deposited in a financial institution.

WARNING

Deadline

10 business days

When a proceeding requires an original document, an electronic filer may file an electronic copy if the original is filed with the court within 10 business days.

Pursuant to California Rules of Court rule 2.252(e), an electronic filer may file an electronic copy of a document if the original document is then filed with the court within 10 business days if the proceeding requires that the original document be filed.

WARNING

When child, family, or spousal support is requested, a party requesting the other party’s tax returns must do so by 10:00 a.m. five business days before the hearing.

When child, family, or spousal support is requested, a party may require the opposing party to provide copies of both state and federal income tax returns pursuant to Family Code § 3552. A request for tax returns must be made no later than 10:00 a.m. five (5) business days before the hearing.

WARNING

Deadline

2 business days

Counsel for the Department of Social Services is expected to notify the court by the same procedure of a locally incarcerated parent at least two business days before an initial appearance on a new petition.

Counsel for the Department of Social Services is expected to advise the court by the same procedure of any parent, alleged or otherwise, who is incarcerated locally at least two (2) business days in advance of an initial appearance on a new petition.

We could not confirm this summary. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

The party choosing remote appearance must notify the court and all persons entitled to receive notice by serving and filing a Judicial Council form RA-010 Notice of Remote Appearance along with the application or pleadings for the proceeding.

We could not confirm this summary. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Absent any other order by the trial judge, all motions in limine must be in writing, filed with the court, and served on all parties by the close of business on the Tuesday before trial.

We could not confirm this summary. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Copies of the tax returns and supporting schedules must be provided to the requesting party or counsel the earlier of five (5) business days after the request or 10:00 a.m. two (2) business days before the hearing and must not be filed with the court except as provided in Family Code § 3552.

We could not confirm this summary. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Counsel for persons incarcerated in the California Department of Corrections (CDCR) or other state prison whose parental rights are subject to adjudication in the juvenile court, must file with the court no less than 30 days in advance of the hearing Judicial Council forms JV-450 Order for Prisoner’s Appearance at Hearing Affecting Parental Rights and JV-451 Prisoner’s Statement Regarding Appearance at Hearing Affecting Parental Rights to ensure the person’s appearance either by video, telephone, or physical transport.

Summary: Counsel for a person incarcerated in CDCR or another state prison must file forms JV-450 and JV-451 at least 30 days before the hearing to ensure the person's appearance.

We could not confirm this summary. Read the court's wording below.WARNING?

Exceptions to the five (5) business day rule include: a. Motion to Continue (Penal Code § 1050) b. Conflict of Interest Papers c. OR/Bail Motion d. Motion for Consolidation

Summary: The five-business-day calendar-request notice rule does not apply to the listed motions and papers.

We could not confirm this summary. Read the court's wording below.INFO?

Deadline

30 calendar days

Completion of the requested research of archived cases will be completed within 30 calendar days.