Del Norte — Standing Order 25-001

Source: https://www.delnorte.courts.ca.gov/system/files/general/so_2025-001.pdf

Sparse pages use OCR; original PDF remains authoritative.

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA FOR THE COUNTY OF DEL NORTE Standing Order 25-001 Case Assignment This order makes minor modifications clarifying the policy regarding assignment of cases to the departments of this Court. This order goes into effect immediately. Unless otherwise stated in a specific order of the Presiding Judge, cases are assigned for all purposes to the particular department and to the judge assigned to that department as set forth in this order. When the judge normally assigned to a department is unavailable, any judge assigned by the Presiding Judge or Judicial Council may hear cases in that department. Family law matters, domestic violence restraining orders and limited civil cases, including landlord-tenant, probate cases and small claims cases are assigned to Department 2. Civil harassment matters are assigned to Department 1. All unlimited civil cases, excluding those assigned to Department 2 above, are assigned to Department 1. Child Support matters under AB 1058 are assigned to the Child Support Commissioner in Department 3. All juvenile delinquency matters are assigned to Department 1. All misdemeanor matters are assigned to Department 2. All felony matters are assigned to Department 2 until bindover. Unless otherwise ordered by the judge presiding at the preliminary hearing, felony matters will be assigned to Department 1 upon bindover after the preliminary hearing. All juvenile dependency cases are assigned by the clerk to Department 2. All dependency cases involving the same family are assigned together in the same department. Infraction matters are assigned to the Judge Pro Tem in Department 3. Pending further order of the Court, Judge Darren McElfresh is assigned to Department 1 and Judge Karen D. Olson is assigned to Department 2. Until further order, Judge McElfresh shall serve as presiding judge and presiding judge of the juvenile court. Judge Olson shall be the assistant presiding judge and assistant presiding judge of the juvenile court. When the assigned judge is disqualified, the matter will be heard by any other judge temporarily assigned to that department. If an assigned judge is not available, the case will be referred to the other sitting judge of this court for assignment. If that other sitting judge is not available, the matter may be heard by any other judge sitting in their absence. When both sitting judges are disqualified and there is no other assigned judge available to hear the case, the matter will be referred to the Judicial Council for assignment. This order will remain in effect pending further order of the presiding judge. DATED: JAN 9 8 2025 FZ HON. D. DARREN McELFRESH Presiding Judge