Alameda — Title 1. General and Administrative Rules

Source: https://www.alameda.courts.ca.gov/system/files/local-rules/01-title-1-20260701.pdf

Local Rules of the Superior Court of California, County of Alameda

Title 1. General and Administrative Rules ...................................................... 1

Chapter 1. General and Administrative Rules ................................................ 1

Rule 1.1. Citation and effect of rules ............................................................... 1

Rule 1.2. Construction and application of rules .............................................. 1 Rule 1.3. Effective date of these rules ............................................................. 1 Rule 1.4. Forms [Reserved] ................................................................................. 1

Rule 1.5. Definitions ............................................................................................. 1

Rule 1.6. Judges’ vacation day ......................................................................... 2

Rule 1.7. Photographing, recording, broadcasting, and using electronic devices in court proceedings, courthouses, and other court locations; remote media access by video ........................................................................... 2

Rule 1.7.1. Prohibited activities in and around a courthouse ....................... 5

Rule 1.8. Facsimile filing ..................................................................................... 6 Rule 1.8.1. Additional rules for filing and hearings [Repealed].................. 6

Rule 1.9. Filing documents in civil, family law, probate, False Claims Act, and CARE Act cases .............................................................................................. 6

Rule 1.10. Composition of jury panels ............................................................. 8

Rule 1.11. Protocol regarding inter-court communication of domestic violence restraining orders .................................................................................. 8

Rule 1.12. Juror questionnaires ...................................................................... 13

Rule 1.13. Failure to comply with these rules ............................................... 13

Rule 1.85. Electronic filing of documents in criminal cases ......................... 13

Rule 1.86. Electronic filing of documents in juvenile cases ......................... 15

Rule 1.90. Remote proceedings ..................................................................... 17 Chapter 2 – Policies ........................................................................................ 19

Rule 2.0. Policy against bias ........................................................................... 19

Local Rules of the Superior Court of California, County of Alameda

Title 1. General and Administrative Rules

Chapter 1. General and Administrative Rules

Rule 1.1. Citation and effect of rules

These rules are the local rules for the Superior Court of California, County of Alameda. These rules may be cited as the “local rules” and are supplementary and subject to statutes and the California Rules of Court and shall be construed and applied so they do not conflict with such rules and statutes. These rules shall supersede all rules previously adopted by the superior and municipal courts of the County of Alameda. These rules shall have no retroactive effect or application.

Rule 1.1 amended effective July 1, 2007; adopted effective May 19, 1998; previously amended effective July 1, 1999.

Rule 1.2. Construction and application of rules

These rules are to be liberally construed to ensure the just and speedy determination of the proceedings that they govern. Division, section, rule, and paragraph headings do not affect the scope, meaning, or intent of the provisions of these rules. If any part of a rule is held invalid, all valid parts that are severable from the invalid parts remain in effect. If a rule is held invalid in one or more of its applications, the rule remains in effect in all valid applications that are severable from the invalid applications.

Rule 1.2 amended effective July 1, 2007; adopted effective May 19, 1998; previously amended effective July 1, 1999.

Rule 1.3. Effective date of these rules

These rules shall take effect May 19, 1998.

Rule 1.3 amended effective July 1, 2007; adopted effective May 19, 1998.

Rule 1.4. Forms [Reserved]

Rule 1.5. Definitions

The definitions set forth in the California Rules of Court apply to these rules, unless the context or subject matter herein requires otherwise. As used in these rules:

(1) “County” means the County of Alameda, State of California.

(2) “Court” means the Superior Court of California, County of Alameda, and shall include and apply to any judge, commissioner, or referee who is a duly appointed or elected member of this court and to any judge who has been 1 - 1

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assigned by the Chairman of the Judicial Council to serve, and is serving, as a judge of this court, including any retired judge who is so assigned and is serving, and any attorney designated by the presiding judge as a temporary judge.

(3) “Rule” is a local rule of the Superior Court of California, County of Alameda.

(4) “Clerk” means the clerk and any deputy clerks of the Superior Court of California, County of Alameda.

Rule 1.5 non-substantive partial repeals effective November 15, 2024; amended and renumbered effective July 1, 2007; adopted as rule 1.4 effective May 19, 1998; previously amended effective July 1, 1999.

Rule 1.6. Judges’ vacation day

A day of vacation for a judge of the court is an approved absence for one full business day. Other absences from the court listed in California Rules of Court, rule 10.603(c)(2)(H) are excluded from this definition.

Rule 1.6 amended and renumbered effective July 1, 2007; adopted as rule 1.12 effective July 1, 2001; previously amended effective January 1, 2007.

Rule 1.7. Photographing, recording, broadcasting, and using electronic devices in court proceedings, courthouses, and other court locations; remote media access by video

(a) Definitions

As used in this rule:

(1) “Electronic devices” include cameras; video and audio recorders
cellular or digital phones; computers; iPads and other tablets; and all
similar electronic, cable, digital, computerized or other forms and
methods of recording, transmitting, or communicating.

(2) “Photographing” means recording a likeness, regardless of the method
used, including by digital or photographic methods. Photographing
does not include drawings or sketchings of the court proceedings.

(3) “Recording” means the use of any analog or digital device to aurally or
visually preserve images and/or sounds. Recording does not include
handwritten notes on the court record, whether by court reporter or by
digital or analog preservation.

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(4) “Broadcasting” means a visual or audio transmission or signal, by any
method, including any electronic transmission or transmission by
sound waves.

(5) “Courthouse” means a building in which court proceedings are held.
For multi-use buildings, courthouse means the court-occupied portions
of such buildings.

(6) “Courtroom” means both the physical room in which court proceedings
are held and any livestream or electronic platform used to conduct
court proceedings remotely via video or audio technology
conferencing.

(7) “Media” means any person or organization engaging in news gathering
or reporting and includes any newspaper, radio or television station or
network, news service, magazine, trade paper, in-house publication,
professional journal, or other news-reporting or news-gathering
agency.

(b) Electronic devices

(1) Electronic devices are permitted in courthouses and other court
locations but are subject to x-ray or visual inspection by an authorized
employee of the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office.

(2) Absent permission of a judicial officer, persons must turn off all
electronic devices in courtrooms while court is in session. This
subdivision does not apply to electronic devices used to connect to a
court proceeding.

(c) Photographing, recording, and broadcasting

Photographing, recording, and broadcasting of courtroom proceedings, or
within a courthouse or other court location, are prohibited absent a court
order.

(1) Requests to photograph, record, or broadcast a courtroom proceeding
must comply with rule 1.150 of the California Rules of Court and must
be submitted to the judicial officer assigned to the proceeding. If no
judicial officer has been assigned, requests must be emailed to
mediarequest@alameda.courts.ca.gov.

(2) All other requests to photograph, record, or broadcast must be made
on Judicial Council form MC-500 and emailed to
mediarequest@alameda.courts.ca.gov at least five days before the
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requested date unless good cause is shown. A request must include its purpose and, if it pertains to a particular case, the case name and number. Unless otherwise permitted, the photographing, recording, or broadcasting must take place in the location in each courthouse specifically dedicated for media use (see http://www.alameda.courts.ca.gov/Pages.aspx/Media-Requests-to- Film-or-Photograph) and must not include jurors, prospective jurors, witnesses, prospective witnesses, court personnel, or judicial officers without their written permission.

(d) Remote media access by video

If any portion of a nonconfidential courtroom proceeding will be conducted

remotely by video, the media may request remote access by emailing the request to mediarequest@alameda.courts.ca.gov no later than 5 court days before the proceeding. Notice of all rulings on the requests will be provided by the court. Any media permitted remote access by the court must mute both video and audio to allow observation of the proceeding without being seen or heard.

(e) Exceptions

(1) The Presiding Judge or designee may approve photographing or
recording investitures and other ceremonial or educational programs.

(2) This rule does not prohibit:

(A) Individuals from using electronic devices to photograph or
record court files that are otherwise available for public
inspection and copying.

(B) Law enforcement individuals from using electronic devices to
photograph or record while engaged in the course and scope of
their official duties.

(C) Court personnel from photographing, recording, broadcasting,
or using electronic devices as part of their official duties.

(f) Enforcement

Violation of the terms of this rule may result in the confiscation of the electronic device; exclusion of the violator from the courtroom proceeding, courthouse, or other court location; and may be the basis for a citation for contempt of court or an order imposing monetary or other sanctions as provided by law. 1 - 4

Local Rules of the Superior Court of California, County of Alameda

Rule 1.7 amended effective July 3, 2023; retitled as “Electronic devices in courthouses and other court locations” and adopted effective January 1, 2015; former Rule 1.7 (Civil filing venues) repealed effective July 1, 2008; adopted as sections ‘A’ through ‘E’ of Appendix to Chapter 1 effective August 1, 2000 and renumbered effective July 1, 2007; previously amended effective January 1, 2002, January 1, 2004, January 1, 2007, July 1, 2007, January 1, 2008, January 1, 2016, January 1, 2022, and April 30, 2022.

Rule 1.7.1. Prohibited activities in and around a courthouse

(a) Purpose

The purpose of this rule is to ensure the orderly conduct of judicial proceedings and court functions, and to ensure the administration of justice is free from actual or perceived outside influence, bias, or control.

(b) Courthouse

As used in this rule, “courthouse” means a building in which court proceedings are held. For multi-use buildings, courthouse means the court- occupied portions of such buildings.

(c) Prohibitions

This rule applies to the following activity occurring in and around a
courthouse:

(1) No person may engage in activity that obstructs or interferes with court
functions, including protesting, picketing, and parading.

(2) No person may obstruct, impede, or interfere with persons entering or
leaving a courthouse, or waiting in line to enter or leave a courthouse.
This section does not apply to authorized personnel or contractors, or
to law enforcement officers in the performance of their official duties.

(3) No person may post or distribute materials to the general public. This
section does not apply to authorized personnel or contractors, or to law
enforcement officers in the performance of their official duties.

(4) No person may engage in commercial activity, including soliciting sales
or donations from the general public. This section does not apply to
persons engaged in the stationary solicitation of sales as part of any
commercial, primarily non-expressive activity that is authorized by a
written use permit, license, or agreement.

Rule 1.7.1 adopted effective January 1, 2022. 1 - 5

Local Rules of the Superior Court of California, County of Alameda

Rule 1.8. Facsimile filing

Rule 1.8 repealed effective November 15, 2024; amended effective January 1, 2022; adopted effective May 19, 1998;previously amended effective January 1, 2009, August 1, 2000, July 1, 2003, January 1, 2004, January 1, 2007, and July 1, 2007.

Rule 1.8.1. Additional rules for filing and hearings [Repealed]

Rule 1.8.1 repealed effective July 1, 2025; non-substantive partial repeals effective November 15, 2024; amended effective July 3, 2023; adopted as rule April 30, 2022.

Rule 1.9. Filing documents in civil, family law, probate, False Claims Act, and CARE Act cases

(a) When this rule does not apply

This rule does not apply to documents filed electronically in compliance with section 1010.6 of the Code of Civil Procedure and California Rule of Court, rules 2.250-2.261.

(b) Filing documents in a civil case

Except as provided in subparagraphs (c) – (h), all documents to be filed in a civil case must be presented for filing at the René C. Davidson Courthouse, Room 109, 1225 Fallon Street, Oakland, California 94612 or the office of the civil clerk located at the Hayward Hall of Justice, 24405 Amador Street, Hayward, California 94544.

(c) Filing documents in a family law case

All documents to be filed in an action filed under the Family Code must be presented for filing at the office of the family law clerk located at the Hayward Hall of Justice, 24405 Amador Street, Hayward, California 94544. All documents to be filed in a case requesting issuance of a protective order under Family Code section 6200 et seq. (Domestic Violence Prevention Act) may also be filed at the René C. Davidson Courthouse, Room 109, 1225 Fallon Street, Oakland, California 94612.

(d) Filing documents in a probate case

All documents to be filed in a proceeding under the Probate Code must be presented for filing at the Berkeley Courthouse, 2120 Martin Luther King, Jr. Way, Berkeley, California 94704.

(e) Filing documents in proceedings under the False Claims Act or the 1 - 6

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Lanterman-Petris-Short Act

All documents to be filed in a case brought under Government Code sections 12650-12656 (False Claims Act) or Welfare and Institutions Code sections 5000 et seq. (Lanterman-Petris-Short Act) must be presented for filing at the René C. Davidson Courthouse, Room 109, 1225 Fallon Street, Oakland, California 94612.

(f) Filing documents in proceedings requesting issuance of certain protective orders

All documents to be filed in a case requesting issuance of a protective order under Welfare and Institutions Code section 15657.03 (Elder Abuse and Dependent Adult Civil Protection Act), Code of Civil Procedure section 527.6 (Civil Harassment Prevention), Code of Civil Procedure section 527.85 (Private Postsecondary School Violence Prevention), or Code of Civil Procedure section 527.8 (Workplace Violence Safety Act) must be presented for filing at the René C. Davidson Courthouse, Room 109, 1225 Fallon Street, Oakland, California 94612 or the Hayward Hall of Justice, 24405 Amador Street, Hayward, California 94544.

(g) Filing documents in an adoption case

All documents to be filed in an adoption case must be presented for filing at the office of the civil clerk located at Hayward Hall of Justice, Room 108, 24405 Amador Street, Hayward, California 94544.

(h) Filing documents in proceedings under the Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment (CARE) Act

All documents to be filed in a CARE Act proceeding must be presented for filing at the Rene C. Davidson Courthouse, Room 109, 1225 Fallon Street, Oakland, California 94612; the office of the civil clerk located at Hayward Hall of Justice, Room 108, 24405 Amador Street, Hayward, California 94544; or the Berkeley Courthouse, 2120 Martin Luther King, Jr. Way, Berkeley, California 94704.

(i) Copies of file-endorsed documents filed by mail or drop box

Filers may obtain file-endorsed copies of documents that are filed by mail or
drop box in the following ways:

(1) Processed documents will be returned by mail to all filers who include
a postage-paid, self-addressed envelope with their filings.

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(2) Where permitted under rule 2.503 of the California Rules of Court,
processed documents will be available online through the eCourt
Public Portal at https://eportal.alameda.courts.ca.gov/.

(3) Filers may return to the courthouse at which the documents were filed
to pick up file-endorsed copies in person.

Rule 1.9 amended effective January 1, 2026; adopted as rule 1.13 effective January 1, 2004 and renumbered effective July 1, 2007; previously amended effective July 1, 2025, January 1, 2008, July 1, 2008, January 1, 2012, January 1, 2013, July 1, 2015, and July 1, 2016, July 1, 2018.

Rule 1.10. Composition of jury panels

Panels for all jury trials will be drawn from the master jury list.

Rule 1.10 amended effective February 8, 2021; previously amended via emergency amendment effective June 5, 2020, which emergency amendment was repealed effective February 8, 2021; adopted as rule 1.11 effective July 1, 1999 and renumbered effective July 1, 2007; previously amended effective May 1, 2000, January 1, 2001, February 5, 2001, January 1, 2008, and January 1, 2011.

Rule 1.11. Protocol regarding inter-court communication of domestic violence restraining orders

(a) Statement of purpose

This protocol is adopted in compliance with California Rules of Court, rule 5.450, effective January 1, 2004 and renumbered effective January 1, 2007, and complies with California Family Code sections 6380 and 6383, as well as California Penal Code section 136.2 as currently amended.

(b) Protocol goals

The goals of this protocol are to:

(1) Establish a procedure for communication among courts issuing
criminal protection orders and courts issuing orders involving child
custody and visitation orders, regarding the existence and terms of
criminal protective orders and child custody and visitation orders,
including:

(A) A required procedure for courts issuing child custody or
visitation to make reasonable efforts to determine whether there
exists any criminal court protective order that involves any party
to the action; and

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(B) A procedure to require courts issuing criminal court protective
orders to make reasonable efforts to determine whether there
exists any child custody or visitation orders that involve any
party to the action.

(2) Establish a procedure by which the court issuing the criminal court
protective order may, after consultation with a court issuing
subsequent child custody and visitation orders, modify the criminal
court protective order to allow or restrict contact between the person
restrained by the order and his or her children.

(3) The above-described orders shall include the following:

(A) Family law court orders made pursuant to the Domestic
Violence Prevention Act (F.C. section 6200 et. seq.);

(B) Juvenile court orders made pursuant to W. & I. section 213.5;

(C) Criminal court orders made pursuant to P.C. 136.2 where the
victim and the defendant have a relationship as defined in F.C.
section 6211;

(D) Civil court orders made pursuant to C.C.P. section 527.6 where
the victim and the defendant have a relationship as defined in
F.C. section 6211;

(E) Probate court orders made in guardianship cases.

(4) Provide for the co-existence of non-conflicting orders with the following
limitations:

(A) The criminal court protective order under P.C. section 136.2
supersedes all other orders in the event of a conflict; and

(B) All orders involving child visitation with the restrained person
shall be specific as to time, date, and location of the visit and
shall include provisions for the safe exchange of the children.
Safety of all parties shall be the court’s paramount concern.

(5) Encourage the establishment of regional communication systems with
courts in neighboring counties regarding the existence and terms of
criminal court protective orders.

(c) Protocol 1 - 9

Local Rules of the Superior Court of California, County of Alameda

Court communication regarding restraining orders – criminal, civil, family, juvenile, probate:

(1) Criminal protective orders take precedence over all other protective orders issued by the civil, family, juvenile and probate courts, subject to the provisions below.

(2) Criminal court procedure:

(A) When the criminal court issues criminal protective orders
protecting victims, the criminal court shall determine whether
there are any minor children of the relationship between the
defendant/restrained person and the victim/protected person,
and whether there are any court orders for custody/visitation for
those minor children.

(B) If there are minor children, the criminal court shall consider
whether peaceful contact with the victim/protected person
should be allowed for the purpose of allowing
defendant/restrained person to visit the minor children. The
court shall give the defendant/restrained person an information
packet concerning his or her rights to request custody and/or
visitation through the family or juvenile court, along with
directions to the Self-Help Center.

(C) The criminal court shall also determine whether there are any
existing protective/restraining orders involving the
defendant/restrained person, the victim/protected person, and/or
the minor children. Subject to available resources, the court
shall examine available databases for existing protective or
restraining orders before issuing permanent criminal protective
orders.

(D) If the criminal court order includes minor children as named
protected parties, the order may be made explicitly subject to
modification by a civil, family, juvenile, or probate judge. If this
qualifying clause is not included in the criminal court order, the
order may not be modified without notification and consent of
the issuing criminal court.

(E) When the criminal court issues criminal protective orders that
list the defendant/restrained person’s minor children as
protected persons, the criminal court shall forward a copy of its
order to the family court. If a civil, juvenile, or probate court

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proceeding concerning the family is pending, a copy of the order shall be faxed to the applicable court.

(3) Modification of criminal protective orders:

(A) Any court responsible for issuing custody or visitation orders
involving minor children of a defendant/restrained person
subject to a criminal protective order may modify the criminal
protective order if all of the following circumstances are
applicable:

(i) Both the defendant/restrained person and the
victim/protected person are subject to the jurisdiction of
the family, juvenile, or probate court; and both parties are
present before the court.

(ii) The defendant/restrained person is on probation (formal
or court) or has a case pending for a domestic violence
offense in Alameda County.

(iii) The family, juvenile, or probate court identifies a criminal
protective order issued against the defendant, which is
inconsistent with a proposed family, juvenile, or probate
court order, such that the family, juvenile, or probate
order is/will be more restrictive than the criminal
protective order.

(iv) Both the victim/protected person and the defendant/
restrained person agree that the criminal protective order
may be modified to a less restrictive order.

(B) A criminal protective order may not be modified to a less
restrictive order or to one permitting proposed visitation or
custody unless a clause specifically allowing such a modification
or amendment is included in the criminal protective order. (See
section 2D, supra.)

(C) If the aforementioned clause allowing modification of a criminal
protective order does not appear on the face of the order, or if
any party objects to the modification of the criminal protective
order, the family, juvenile, or probate court shall, at the request
of an interested party or on its own motion, calendar a hearing
before the criminal court on the issue of whether a criminal
protective order should be modified. The family, juvenile, or
probate court shall provide the criminal court with copies of
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existing or proposed orders relating to the matter. Notice of the
hearing will be provided to all counsel and parties.

Any modification of a Criminal Court Protective Order must
be communicated to the Alameda County District
Attorney’s Office.

(4) Family, juvenile, probate, civil court restraining orders involving child
custody and visitation orders:

(A) All personal conduct and stay away restraining orders in a
judgment must include the date of expiration of such orders and
good cause for granting such order(s) shall be set forth in
attached declaration(s). In addition, all such restraining orders
must be separately set forth on a CLETS or other applicable
Judicial Council form.

(B) Subject to available resources, the family, juvenile, and probate
courts shall examine appropriate available databases for
existing restraining or protective orders involving the same
restrained and protected parties before issuing permanent
CLETS civil restraining orders. In the event that this information
is not available to the judicial officer, inquiry shall be made of
the parties before issuing permanent CLETS civil restraining
orders.

(C) Any order of the family, juvenile, or probate court that permits
contact between a defendant/restrained person subject to either
CLETS civil restraining orders or criminal protective orders and
his or her minor children, shall contain specific language setting
forth the time, day, place, and manner of the transfer of the
minor children, including the safe exchange of the minor
children, in accordance with Family Code Section 3100. Such
an order shall not contain language that conflicts with a criminal
protective order. Safety of all parties shall be the court’s
paramount concern. The court or a court-related agency may
recommend safe and specific contact with the minor children.
and direct the defendant/restrained person and/or the
victim/protected person to the process for modification of
protective orders.

Rule 1.11 amended and renumbered effective July 1, 2007; adopted as section ‘G’ of Appendix to Chapters 4 and 5 effective July 1, 2005; previously amended effective January 1, 2007.

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Rule 1.12. Juror questionnaires

(a) Mandatory questionnaire

Each prospective juror must complete a questionnaire for identification, qualification, ability to serve, and assistance in the voir dire process.

(b) Hardship questionnaire

Any prospective juror requesting to be excused from jury service because of undue hardship must complete a hardship questionnaire.

(c) Remote submission of questionnaires

Prospective jurors should complete and electronically submit the mandatory and hardship questionnaires to the Court as instructed in the jury summons and on the Court’s jury duty web page. If responses are not submitted as directed, the prospective juror must complete the questionnaires in person on the jury summons date.

Rule 1.12 adopted effective February 8, 2021.

Rule 1.13. Failure to comply with these rules

Failure to comply with these rules is punishable by contempt or other sanctions including, but not limited to, any sanctions provided for in these rules.

Rule 1.13 amended and renumbered effective July 1, 2007; adopted as rule 1.9 effective May 19, 1998.

Rule 1.85. Electronic filing of documents in criminal cases

(a) Preference for electronic filing

The court prefers that all filings in criminal matters be filed electronically.

(b) Methods of electronic filing

Parties may electronically file documents in two ways.

(1) Parties with computer systems that are integrated with the court’s case
management system may file directly through those systems. Parties
with computer systems that are integrated with the court’s system
include the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office, Alameda County
Public Defender’s Office, Alameda County Probation Department,
Division of Adult Parole Operations of the California Department of

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Corrections and Rehabilitation, California Department of Child Support
Services, and the California Department of Social Services.

(2) Parties that do not have computer systems that are integrated with the
court’s case management system must use one of the court’s certified
Electronic Filing Service Providers (EFSPs). The court maintains a
current list of certified EFSPs on its web site at
http://www.alameda.courts.ca.gov/Pages.aspx/efiling.

(c) Filing confidential documents or documents containing confidential information

Where authorized or required by law or court order, parties may designate all or portions of electronically filed documents as confidential. Information on filing confidential documents may be obtained through the filer’s EFSP and the Court’s web site at http://www.alameda.courts.ca.gov/Pages.aspx/efiling.

(d) Date and time of filing

Parties may electronically transmit a document to the court at any time. Acceptance of a transmitted document for filing occurs on the (i) date the document is submitted, if the submission occurs between 12:00 a.m. and 11:59 p.m. on a day when the clerk’s office is open for business, or (ii) next day when the clerk’s office is open for business following submission of the document, if the submission occurs on a day when the clerk’s office is closed.

(e) Confirmation of receipt

The court will provide an electronic confirmation to the filer indicating the date and time the document was received.

(f) Confirmation of filing

The court will provide an electronic confirmation to the filer indicating the date and time the document was filed.

(g) Errors in electronically filed documents

The filing party is solely responsible for the accuracy of the data and information contained in electronically filed documents.

(h) Hearing dates for electronically filed motions

Hearing dates and times for motions filed electronically under this rule shall be set in conformity with the procedures followed in the courtroom in which the motion will be set for hearing or heard. 1 - 14

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(i) Courtesy copies of electronically filed documents

When any document is electronically filed in a criminal matter in connection with a hearing scheduled for two or fewer days from the date of filing, the filer must also deliver a paper copy to the department where the matter is scheduled to be heard.

(j) Electronic service

A party filing documents electronically under this rule is deemed to have consented to accepting electronic service of documents by all other parties and the court.

Rule 1.85 adopted effective January 1, 2016.

Rule 1.86. Electronic filing of documents in juvenile cases

(a) Preference for electronic filing

The court prefers that all filings in juvenile matters be filed electronically.

(b) Methods of electronic filing

Parties may electronically file documents in two ways.

(1) Parties with computer systems that are integrated with the court’s case
management system may file directly through those systems. Parties
with computer systems that are integrated with the court’s system
include the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office, Alameda County
Public Defender’s Office, Alameda County Probation Department,
Division of Adult Parole Operations of the California Department of
Corrections and Rehabilitation, California Department of Child Support
Services, and the California Department of Social Services.

(2) Parties that do not have computer systems that are integrated with the
court’s case management system must use one of the court’s certified
Electronic Filing Service Providers (EFSPs). The court maintains a
current list of certified EFSPs on its web site at
http://www.alameda.courts.ca.gov/Pages.aspx/efiling.

(c) Filing confidential documents or documents containing confidential information

Where authorized or required by law or court order, parties may designate all or portions of electronically filed documents as confidential. Information on

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filing confidential documents may be obtained through the filer’s EFSP and the Court’s web site at http://www.alameda.courts.ca.gov/Pages.aspx/efiling.

(d) Date and time of filing

Parties may electronically transmit a document to the court at any time. Acceptance of a transmitted document for filing occurs on the (i) date the document is submitted, if the submission occurs during the normal business hours of the clerk’s office, or (ii) next day when the clerk’s office is open for business following submission of the document, if the submission occurs after the normal business hours of the clerk’s office or on a day when the clerk’s office is closed. For purposes of this rule, “normal business hours of the clerk’s office” means Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

(e) Confirmation of receipt

The court will provide an electronic confirmation to the filer indicating the date and time the document was received.

(f) Confirmation of filing

The court will provide an electronic confirmation to the filer indicating the date and time the document was filed.

(g) Errors in electronically filed documents

The filing party is solely responsible for the accuracy of the data and information contained in electronically filed documents.

(h) Hearing dates for electronically filed motions

The electronic filing of a document under this rule will not result in the hearing date indicated on the pleading until the filing party has received approval of the hearing date as set out in Local Rule 5.504(a). If a filing party has received approval of the hearing date, the party should indicate that approval using the “note,” “comment,” or other corresponding feature of the EFSP or integration used to file the document.

(i) Courtesy copies of electronically filed documents

When any report, pleading, or other paper is electronically filed in a juvenile matter in connection with a hearing scheduled for two or fewer days from the date of filing, the filer must also deliver a paper copy to the department where the matter is scheduled to be heard.

(j) Electronic service 1 - 16

Local Rules of the Superior Court of California, County of Alameda

A party that files documents electronically pursuant to this rule is not deemed to have consented to accepting electronic service. A party may consent to accepting electronic service by complying with rule 2.251(b)(1)(A) of the California Rules of Court.

Rule 1.86 adopted effective January 1, 2016.

Rule 1.90. Remote proceedings

(a) Application

This rule applies to all civil matters other than family law matters.

(b) Discretion to order remote proceedings

To the extent consistent with current law, the court may conduct proceedings,
including trials, remotely.

(1) Proceedings that may be conducted remotely

(A) All juvenile dependency proceedings will be conducted
consistent with subdivision (h) of Code of Civil Procedure
section 367.75.

(B) Subject to the exceptions below, all non-criminal trials and
evidentiary hearings other than small claims and civil
harassment hearings will be conducted remotely unless (i) the
court orders otherwise, or (ii) a party makes a showing as to
why the trial or hearing should not be conducted remotely by
emailing said showing to the assigned department and to all
parties and others entitled to notice no later than five court days
before the hearing.

(C) For purposes of this rule, evidentiary hearings to be conducted
remotely include:
• Jury trials
• Court trials
• Evidence Code 402 and 403 hearings
• Preliminary injunction hearings where live testimony is
offered
• In Probate cases:
o Any case designated on the calendar as Probate
Non-Jury Trial
o Court trials on any contested petition
o Petitions to establish birth, death, or marriage
o Petitions for conservatorship
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Local Rules of the Superior Court of California, County of Alameda

o Petitions for guardianship
(D) Any party who intends to appear in person at any hearing must
inform all parties and others entitled to notice and must email
the assigned department no later than the pretrial conference, if
any, or, if there is no pretrial conference, no later than five court
days before the hearing.

(2) Proceedings that may not be conducted remotely

(A) Unless otherwise ordered by the Court, all non-evidentiary
hearings will be conducted in person. For purposes of this rule,
“non-evidentiary hearings” means settlement conferences;
pretrial conferences; motions; civil appeals, including unlawful
detainer appeals; and Probate matters not enumerated in
subsection (b)(1)(C). Notwithstanding the foregoing, parties may
appear remotely at non-evidentiary hearings as provided in
Code of Civil Procedure section 367.75.

(B) With the exception of Probate matters, requests or agreements
to appear remotely may be made by emailing the assigned
department no later than five court days before the hearing or
orally at any hearing. In Probate matters, requests or
agreements to appear remotely must be made by filing a Notice
of Remote Appearance (Judicial Council of California Form RA-
010).

(C) At any time during a case, a party may provide notice to the
Court and to all other parties and others entitled to notice that
the party intends to appear remotely for the duration of the case.
That notice must be made no later than five court days before
the next scheduled hearing in the case.

(3) A remote appearance by a self-represented party will be construed to
be an agreement to appear remotely under Code of Civil Procedure
section 367.75(g).

(4) Self-represented parties with questions about in-person or remote
hearings may email the court at
ExecutiveOffice@alameda.courts.ca.gov.

(c) Technology and conduct in remote proceedings

Remote proceedings may be conducted through telephonic or videoconference applications. Parties and counsel must comply with 1 - 18

Local Rules of the Superior Court of California, County of Alameda

directions provided by the court regarding specific remote technology and participant conduct.

(d) Prohibition on recording or transmitting remote proceedings

Participants may not record or transmit any portion of remote proceedings without advance written permission of the judicial officer.

(e) Violations

Any violation of this rule may result in sanctions, including but not limited to termination or continuance of the proceedings.

Rule 1.90 amended effective April 30, 2022; previously amended effective January 1, 2022; Rule 1.90 adopted effective February 8, 2021.

Chapter 2 – Policies

Rule 2.0. Policy against bias

(a) Purpose

It is the policy of the court to provide an environment free of all types of bias,

prejudice, any kind of discrimination or unfair practice. All judges, commissioners, referees, court officers and court attachés, shall perform their duties in a manner calculated to prevent any such conduct, either by court personnel or by those appearing in court in any capacity. This rule does not preclude legitimate comment or advocacy when race, gender, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status or other similar factors are issues in court proceedings.

(b) Reporting a violation

Any violation of this policy by any judge, commissioner, referee, court officer, or court attaché should be reported directly to the presiding, judge, supervising judge, executive officer or court administrator of the court location in which the alleged violation occurred. Any violation of this policy by persons appearing in court should be reported directly to the judicial officer before whom the proceedings were conducted.

(c) [Reserved for implementation of Standards of Judicial Administration, standard 10.20]

Rule 2.0 amended effective January 1, 2008; previously amended effective July 1, 1999; adopted effective May 19, 1998.

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