COVID-19: Courthouse Closure and Hearing Information

From March 17 through May 28, San Bernardino Superior Court is partially closed and operating at reduced hours due to the 2019 Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Click here to view a one page overview of services offered at this time.

During this court closure, the Court is only hearing emergency matters at the following locations:

Courthouses Open	Emergency Matters Only	Modified Services Hours
Victorville & Joshua Tree	Criminal and Family	Monday – Friday 8:30 am – 12 Noon Email: TBD
Juvenile Dependency (San Bernardino)	Dependency and Delinquency
San Bernardino Justice Center (SBJC)	Criminal & Civil/Probate/LPS* (*heard at ARMC)
Historic (San Bernardino)	Family Law Matters

What are emergency matters?
Only emergency matters can be filed or heard during this court closure. Please see the chart below for more details:

Case Types	Emergency Matters ONLY
Criminal	In-custody arraignments Pre-preliminary and preliminary hearings Other time-sensitive and critical matters Emergency bail review hearings Electronically submitted day and nighttime warrants (see General Order signed April 8 for a full list)
Civil	Temporary Restraining Orders involving violent conduct Ex Parte hearings for parties to appear remotely
Family	Ex Parte including domestic violence and other safety issues Hague Conventions (international kidnapping)
Probate	Ex parte hearing concerning elder abuse Emergency petitions for temporary guardianship Emergency petitions for temporary conservatorship Reise Hearings Emergency Writs (challenging COVID-19)
Juvenile Dependency & Delinquency	Protective custody warrants Detention hearings Psychotropic medication applications Emergency medical requests Petitions for re-entry for a non-minor dependent Petitions filed that require immediate response based on the health and safety of a child Hearing on any request for a warrant on a child Probable cause for children who have been detained, but have not had a detention hearing Electronically submitted day and nighttime warrants (see General Order signed April 8 for a full list)

What are non-emergency matters:
If your filing or hearing is not an emergency matter, DO NOT APPEAR. Most hearing dates and notices have been provided to attorneys and parties. Traffic tickets and jury summons are examples of non-emergency matters and you do not need to come to court during the closure.

Criminal and Traffic Information

Criminal Emergency Bail Schedule Process:
The Court has created a new process in response to the Emergency Order, Rule 4 issued by the Judicial Council on the Emergency Bail Schedule related to the COVID-19 pandemic. For more information, click on the following two links:

Emergency Bail Stipulation/Hearing Request and Order Protocol (with Flowchart)

Bail Stipulation/Hearing Request and Order

Calendaring Protocol for Emergency Criminal Proceedings
In response to the ongoing limited resources and temporary court closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Court has implemented a new process for requesting time sensitive criminal cases to be placed on calendar. For more information, click on the following link:

Calendaring Protocols for Emergency Criminal Proceedings

Do I have to pay my fine or fee during the court closure?
You may continue to make payments on our https://www.sb-court.org/divisions/traffic/pay-traffic-ticket or phone system. However, please note that we do not have court staff available to assist you with any payment issues or payment plan modifications. You do not need to request a payment extension during the closure, as payment due dates will be automatically extended. Due to limited staffing, please be aware that there may be a delay in the posting of any payments received during the closure.

I got a traffic ticket and my hearing date was during the closure. What should I do?
No warrant will be issued for your arrest during the closure. You will receive a new hearing date in the mail once the court reopens.

Civil, Family Law and Child Support Information

What happens to my restraining order?
Your restraining order will remain in effect until the court reopens and your new hearing date is rescheduled.

I’m in the middle of a divorce and my hearing was scheduled during the court closure. What should I do?
The court will reschedule your hearing date and you will receive notice in the mail after the court reopens.

I need to revisit my child support payment now that I’m laid off of work. What should I do?
The court is only hearing emergency matters. You may file new papers and schedule a hearing date when the court reopens on May 29.

How do I get my ex parte civil matter on calendar and how can I appear remotely?
If your matter falls within the category of time-sensitive and essential proceedings, you can file your documents via fax filing at (909) 708-8586 or in person in the civil clerk’s office at the San Bernardino Justice Center located at 247 W. 3rd St. San Bernardino, CA 92415, 3rd floor.

Remote appearances can be accomplished via CourtCall.
Court Call: (888) 882-6878

Am I required to provide notice to other party(ies)?
Yes, notice is required and should also include an advisal that the hearing will proceed by remote appearance, absent good cause or if there is a stipulation as to the outcome.

General Information

How will I know my hearing is rescheduled?
The court plans on reopening on May 29. Most hearing dates and notices have been sent to attorneys and parties. Please check the court case information available on our website for the latest information. All notices will be mailed to the address on file.

Are the Children’s Waiting Rooms open?
Services available for Children’s Waiting Rooms are not available at this time.

Public Access
All court users and visitors must wear a face covering at all times while inside any court location. You may only enter the courtroom or hallway adjacent to a courtroom if you are a party to a hearing on that day, an attorney representing a party or a person, or under subpoena as a witness for a case scheduled on that day.

Public Notice on Face Coverings

General Order on Limiting Public Access

When will the Court reopen?
The court plans to reopen on May 29, however due to continued changes, please check this page frequently or follow us on Twitter (@SanBernCourt) for frequently for updates.