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CIVIL
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The Physical Location & Mailing address is:
500 Argonaut Lane, Jackson, CA.95642 (Click for Google Map)

The Courthouse is open Monday through Friday (excluding holidays).

The Courthouse is open for public access: 8AM to 5PM
The Clerk’s Office is available by phone 9AM-3PM M-F.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
Call: 209-257-2603
SEARCH FOR A CASE ONLINE
Available 24 hours a day to assist you in locating Case information.

OVERVIEW

CIVIL DIVISION OVERVIEW
Generally, civil cases involve disputes between private parties (individuals or businesses) rather than the violation of criminal law. A civil matter may involve a lawsuit in which one party sues another to recover money or property, to enforce a contract or other obligation, to collect damages for injury or to protect a civil right. Some examples of civil cases include claims for personal injuries arising from automobile accidents, alleged wrongful termination from employment, evictions from a house or commercial building or disputes regarding the use of an easement.
Petitions to change one’s name, change a child’s name, and to seek civil harassment restraining orders are also processed by the Civil Division.
Calendar information for Civil cases (as well as other case types) can be found here.
General civil cases are categorized as either “Limited” or “Unlimited” depending on the type of relief sought or the amount in controversy:
Limited Civil Cases
A Limited Civil case involves a claim for money damages of less than $25,000.00.
Most unlawful detainer and credit card collection cases and other matters, designated as such by statute, are limited civil cases.
Unlimited Civil Cases
An Unlimited Civil case involves a claim for money damage for $25,000.00 or more. In addition, most disputes regarding real property such as claims to title or disagreements about the location of boundary lines or easements are considered Unlimited cases.
Different rules of procedure apply depending on whether a case is considered a Limited or
Unlimited Civil case. In addition, different filing fees may be charged.
The Small Claims Courts hears cases in which the amount claimed is less than $10,000. (If the plaintiff is an individual.  If the plaintiff is a business, the amount claimed cannot exceed $5,000.00.). For more information see Small Claims.
Civil Court Fees
The current fees for filing an initial civil complaint, petition or application can be found here.
Fee Waiver forms and information can be found here.

LANDLORD / TENANT

LANDLORD / TENANT DISPUTES - (aka UNLAWFUL DETAINERS)
What Is an Unlawful Detainer?
An Unlawful Detainer is a special court action, filed by a landlord, to evict a tenant.
If judgment is entered in favor of the landlord, the sheriff may be asked to physically remove
the tenant from the rental unit.
If the landlord's claim is denied, the tenant can continue his/her occupancy of the property.
Only the Sheriff can physically evict someone:
If the landlord wins, the Court will enter a "judgment for possession" in favor of the landlord.
Only the sheriff can enforce the judgment. The Sheriff may physically remove a tenant from the property named in the judgment.
A landlord cannot evict a tenant without a Court order. Moreover, it is illegal for the landlord to use "self-help" measures to accomplish an eviction. For example, a landlord cannot change the locks on the property or shut off utilities services to the property in an attempt to force the tenant to leave.
Expedited Proceeding:
An unlawful detainer action is considered an expedited proceeding. After being served with the complaint, a tenant has five (5) days to file a response (Answer) with the Court. If the tenant does not file a response within the allotted timeframe, the landlord may obtain a default judgment against the tenant. If the tenant files a response to the complaint, the landlord may request a trial date. Generally, the trial dates are set within twenty (20) days after the landlord's request. The trials typically last one hour or less.
Where Can I Find More Information?
Department of Consumer Affairs website
Department of Consumer Affairs: California Tenants Guide
California Courts Self-Help Website
California Department of Consumer Affairs
Self-Help Center (Amador Local Self-Help Resources)
Frequently Used Unlawful Detainer Forms
Available on the Forms tab.

FAQs

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
The following questions and answers are provided for general reference and information only.

+ Where do I file my Papers?
All documents are filed at the Clerks Office, located at 500 Argonaut Lane, Jackson, CA.
Papers filed with the Clerks Office can be submitted in person during office hours, or left in the dropbox at the Courthouse entrance. (See Local Rule 11.22).
Papers being filed on the day of the hearing must be filed in the courtroom,
unless there is a filing fee, then they must be filed at the public counter.
When filing papers with the Court, please use the following guidelines:
Pleadings will not be filed unless they comply with
California Rules of Court, Rule 2.100 et seq.
Exhibits must be as legible as original typing or printing.
No conformed copies of documents filed with the Clerk's Office will be returned by mail
unless a self-addressed stamped envelope, with sufficient postage is provided.
All papers presented for filing must be pre-punched in the standard two-hole position
to comply with California Rules of Court, rule 2.115.
An original and one copy must be submitted, and only two copies of each document
will be conformed.
Advanced reservations are required for all Unlimited and Limited Civil Motions.
Documents submitted without appropriate filing fees according to the court's
Statewide Filing Fee Schedule will be returned un-filed.
A copy of the judgment is required for issuance of Writ of Execution or Abstract of Judgment.
+ Fee Waivers.
Basic Fee Waiver Facts.
After Getting a Fee Waiver.
Paying Waived Fees Back.
Waiver of court Fees in appeals and Writ Proceedings.
Adobe pdf file Information sheet on Waiver of Superior Court Fees and Costs.
+ Can I appear by Phone?
COURTCALL
Amador Superior Court utilizes the service of CourtCall. This organized program allows parties to appear by telephone in certain nonevidentiary pre-trial proceedings. Please contact CourtCall for the current fee for this service. All CourtCall appearances should be arranged no later than five Court days prior to the hearing.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
Call:   1-888-88-COURT or 1-888-882-6878
Website:   http://www.CourtCall.com.
Examples of cases in which CourtCall is available:
(see California Rules of Court 3.670)
Case Management Conferences
Trial Setting Conferences
Hearings on law and motion matters, except motions in limine
Certain Probate cases (if you are unsure contact us)
PLEASE NOTE:
Trials, Pre-Trials and Settlement Conferences cannot be handled through CourtCall.
No evidence will be taken on CourtCall.
+  How Do I Notify the Court of Change of Address?
Use the – JUDICIAL COUNCIL FORM MC-040
Adobe pdf file NOTICE OF CHANGE OF ADDRESS

FORMS

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Form Description Updated Format
PLEASE NOTE: Mandatory form indicates a Mandatory form,   all other forms are optional.
ADR Information Sheet  Mandatory form MISC-020:  - Information about Alternative Dispute Resolution pursuant to Amador Local Rule 3.221.
 02/16/13 Adobe pdf file
Case Intake Form   Mandatory form Amador Rule of Court 11.20 requires parties filing new civil cases to complete all identifying information available to them regarding all parties to the case, and submit the form at the time of filing. 07/11/08 Adobe pdf file
Mediator Application CIV-099: - Civil Litigation Mediator Application.  06/15/06 Adobe pdf file
Request for Discovery Conference  Mandatory form CIV-139: - Used to Request a Discovery Conference Pursuant to CCP §2016.080  03/01/18 Adobe pdf file
Stipulation to Mediator CIV-25: - Used for parties/counsel to stipulate to a civil mediator. Civil Mediators Panel   Court Arbitrators List 04/08 Adobe pdf file
STIP to Allow TRIAL JUDGE to Conduct SC CIV 131 - Stipulation to Allow Trial Judge to Conduct Settlement Conference 06/16/16 Adobe pdf file
STIP to Allow TRIAL JUDGE to Conduct SC-Attachment CIV 132 - Attachment to Stipulation to Allow Trial Judge to Conduct Settlement Confernce-additional parties 06/16/16 Adobe pdf file
Frequently Used Unlawful Detainer Forms
Unlawful Detainer Supplemental Cover Sheet  Mandatory form UD-101: Mandatory due to Covid-19 10/05/2020 Adobe pdf file
CP10.5 CP10.5: - Prejudgment - Claim of Right to Possession 06/15/15 Adobe pdf file
SUM-130 SUM-130: - Summons - Unlawful Detainer 07/01/09 Adobe pdf file
UD-100 UD-100: - Complaint - Unlawful Detainer 07/01/05 Adobe pdf file
UD-105 UD-105: - Answer – Unlawful Detainer 01/01/12 Adobe pdf file
UD-150 UD-150: - Request/Counter-Request to Set Case For Trial 01/01/05 Adobe pdf file
INFO Stay of Execution CIV 133 INFO - Information related to a Request For Stay of Execution in eviction cases 03/29/17 Adobe pdf file
Ex Parte Application for Stay of Execution of Judgment CIV 133 - - Ex Parte Application for Stay of Execution of Judgment in eviction cases 03/29/17 Adobe pdf file
Order on Ex Parte Application for Stay of Execution in eviction cases CIV 134 - Proposed Order on Request For Stay of Execution in eviction cases 03/29/17 Adobe pdf file
PLEASE NOTE: Mandatory form indicates a Mandatory form. 

NEW FORMS