Guide to the State of California’s Contra Costa County Superior Court

What is the Contra Costa County Superior Court?

The Contra Costa County Superior Court is a Superior County Court in the State of California, which exists within the realm of Common Law. A Superior Court is permitted to hear cases both criminal and civil in nature. This is in contrast to a court classified as ‘lower’, which is restricted to the judicial review of cases considered to be less severe in nature. Although this qualification differs with regard to the nature of the crime, matters considered to be of the utmost seriousness within Contra Costa County, California will typically be heard before the Contra Costa County Superior Court.

The Contra Costa County Superior Court currently is comprised of 5 locations, which are determined in accordance with the specific hearing. The main courthouse is located in Contra Costa County, California:

900 Ward Street
Second Floor
Martinez, California 94553
(925) 957-2200

Contra Costa County Superior Court Jurisdiction

The following cities, municipalities, and towns in the State of California are under the jurisdiction of the Contra Costa County Superior Court. However, the Contra Costa County Court System is apportioned into 5 locations with regard to the respective legal service provided at applicable facilities:

Antioch

Brentwood

Clayton

Concord

Danville

El Cerrito

Hercules

Lafayette

Martinez

Moraga

Oakley

Orinda

Pinole

Pittsburg

Pleasant Hill

Richmond

San Pablo

San Ramon

Walnut Creek

Contra Costa County Superior Court Judges and Personnel

In the Contra Costa County Superior Court, the following Judges and personnel are responsible for legal review of legal matters:

Diana Becton: Presiding Judge.

Legal Issues Managed at the Contra Costa County Superior Court

The following legal issues, statutory legislation, and proceedings are heard in the Contra Costa County Superior Court:

Family Law: Judicial review within this legal field in the Contra Costa County Superior Court undertakes legal matters addressing matters of the family and familial, structural procedures including:

The Establishment of Paternity and Guardianship

Domestic Violence and Domestic Partnerships

The Regulation of Child Support Payments

Divorce, Legal Separation, Annulment, and Alimony Payments

The Establishment of Visitation and Child Custody

Restraining Orders: Legal statutes forbidding the encroachment of an individual within the expressed vicinity of another individual.

Dispute Resolution and Mediation: Measures of alternative forms of conflict resolution, including Mediation, are defined as legal procedures undertaken in lieu of arbitration through court hearings. This is commonly referred to as Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR).

Small Claims Court: The Contra Costa County Superior Court provides a legal venue existing under the jurisdiction of Civil Law with which legal matters involving smaller sums of money, damages, and torts occurring within Contra Costa County may be heard.

Small Claims Court in Contra Costa County will only undertake matters not exceeding $7,500 in valuation. Contra Costa County Small Claims Court undertakes claims involving borrowers and guarantors.

Probate Court: A legal venue in which the appropriation of the estate belonging to a deceased individual takes place.

Juvenile and Minor Law: This legal field undertakes hearings involving children and individuals not considered to be legal adults.

Traffic and Accident Law: Vehicular and transportation matters requiring legal administration and regulation may be heard at the Contra Costa County Superior Court. These matters will range in the requirement for a court appearance in lieu of the submission of required fees. This may include:

Required Fines and Fees

Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) and Driving Under the Influence (DUI)

The Mandating of Citations

Punitive Recourse with regard to the Associated Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)

Criminal Law: The Contra Costa County Superior Court will address matters in both civil jurisdictions, as well as those occurring within criminal jurisdictions. Criminal cases are considered to be affronts in the form of crime with regard to the general public within the public sector.

Felony and Misdemeanor Charges

Criminal Expungement

Civil Law in the Contra Costa County Superior Court

With regard to legal matters involving a resident of Contra Costa County, the following classifications of respective circumstances are applicable to Civil Law Cases:
Unlimited Civil Jurisdictions entail hearings in which the valuation of monies, assets, or properties is equal to or exceeds $25,000. These cases will require additional fees of $395 in order to be heard.

Limited Civil Jurisdictions entail hearings in which the valuation of monies, assets, or properties is less than $25,000.

Contra Costa County Superior Court Administration and Fees

The Contra Costa County Superior Court provides individuals the opportunity to not only access court documentation, but also satisfy the payment of fees online. The following details are pertinent with regard to both scheduling of fee payment, as well the procedural structuring of legal fees:

Fee structures, schedules, and payments are available both in virtual and physical formats.
Court forms and applicable documentation are provided in both online, as well as in hard copy form.

The Administration of Jury Duty: This may include the appointment of residents to Grand Jury service, which may exceed the duration of service inherent to standard Jury Duty.