Where to File

Filing court forms or other papers” means giving the papers to a court clerk or electronically filing them. Electronic filing may be mandatory (for example, certain civil cases) or optional (for example, criminal and juvenile matters). Cases not subject to mandatory electronic filing may be given to the clerk by mail or in person. Information on electronic filing may be found on the Court’s E-Filing Services page.

The form or other paper is considered "filed" only after the court clerk stamps it "Filed." Then, that paper becomes part of the record of the case. The papers are then called "file-stamped" or "file endorsed."

Court forms need to be filed in the correct courthouse as decided by state laws and local court rules. Each courthouse has the authority to hear and decide cases of specific subject matter and venue. For example, in Contra Costa County, one courthouse hears family law cases, while another courthouse handles small claims cases for disputes that started in a city which that courthouse serves.

Generally, the person who is starting the case must identify which courthouse can and will handle the dispute. For cases using paper filing, once the first papers are filed, the respondent or defendant must file all papers in the same courthouse.

Appeals

All appeals except Juvenile and Traffic matters are filed at the Wakefield Taylor Courthouse in Martinez. Appeals in Juvenile matters are filed in the Walnut Creek Superior Court. Traffic appeals are filed in the branch court where the traffic matter was heard.

Civil Cases (Limited and Unlimited)

All civil cases are filed and heard in the Wakefield Taylor Courthouse in Martinez.

Civil Cases (Small Claims and Unlawful Detainer)

Small Claims and Unlawful Detainer cases are filed and heard in the court serving the city where the dispute started.

Criminal Law

A criminal case is an action brought by the government against a person who has broken penal law. The District Attorney files all criminal case documents in the court serving the city where the violation occurred. Criminal cases are separated into three main categories, felony, misdemeanors, and infractions. Criminal cases are processed and heard at all court locations.

Elder Abuse

Elder Abuse cases are filed in the Wakefield Taylor Courthouse in Martinez.

Family Law (including Domestic Violence Restraining Orders and Adoptions)

All family law cases, including Domestic Violence Restraining Orders and Adoptions are filed in the Spinetta Family Law Center in Martinez.

However, if you have no existing court cases with the other party, have no children with the other party, and are not married to the other party…

• AND live in East County (Antioch, Bay Point, Bethel Island, Brentwood, Byron, Discovery Bay, Knightsen, Oakley and Pittsburg, you may obtain assistance and must submit your documents at the Domestic Violence window at the Pittsburg Superior Court.

• AND live in West County (El Cerrito, Richmond, San Pablo, Pinole, Hercules, Kensington, El Sobrante, North Richmond, Rodeo, Crockett and Port Costa), you may obtain assistance and must submit your documents at the Restraining Order window at the Richmond Superior Court.

Juvenile Law

All Juvenile case documents are filed only at the Walnut Creek Superior Court. Juvenile cases are those involving minors under the age of 18 years. Juvenile cases involving minors are separated into two main categories: Juvenile Delinquency for minors who have broken penal law and Juvenile Dependency for minors who are not in the care of their parents or guardians. Both types of Juvenile cases are heard at the Walnut Creek Superior Court.

Probate, Guardianship and Conservatorships

All Probate, Guardianship and Conservatorship documents are filed and heard in the Wakefield Taylor Courthouse in Martinez.

Traffic

Traffic cases involve citations issued for infraction violations. A reminder notice will be mailed out indicating which courthouse will be handling the case. Traffic cases are assigned according to where the citation was issued and will be heard at the Walnut Creek Superior Court, the Richmond Superior Court, and the Pittsburg Superior Court.

Criminal

A criminal case is an action brought by the government against a person who has broken penal law. Criminal cases are separated into three main categories, felony, misdemeanors, and infractions. All criminal cases are processed and heard at the Wakefield Taylor Courthouse, or at the A. F. Bray Courthouse.

Juvenile

Juvenile cases are those involving minors under the age of 18 years. These are separated into two main categories: Juvenile Delinquency for minors who have broken penal law and Juvenile Dependency for minors who have been removed from the home and/or care of their parents or guardians.

• Juvenile Delinquency cases are heard at the Walnut Creek Superior Court.
• Juvenile Dependency cases are heard at the Walnut Creek Superior Court.

Traffic

Traffic cases are those in which citations have been issued for a violation of traffic laws. Traffic cases are heard and processed at the Walnut Creek Superior Court location.

Where to file by City, ZIP code