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Courts

Plumas Superior Court serves the citizens of Plumas County through its various courts which include: Criminal, Family, Traffic, Drug, Civil, and Small Claims.

YOUR RIGHTS IN COURT

You have rights guaranteed by the United States and California Constitutions. These rights include:

• The right to be presumed innocent if charged with a crime;
• The right to a public and speedy trial by jury if charged with a misdemeanor or a felony;
• The right to defend yourself against all criminal charges;
• The right to sue for money owed;
• The right to defend yourself against a lawsuit;
• The right to an attorney at public expense if you are charged with a felony or misdemeanor and cannot afford an attorney.

Criminal Court

Criminal courts have jurisdiction over misdemeanors - offenses generally punishable by fine and/or county jail term - preliminary felony hearings and felony trials. Criminal courts conduct arraignments, criminal readiness, trials, motions, sentencing, probation hearings, and Mental Health proceedings.

Family Law Court

Family Law courts have jurisdiction over all cases involving dissolutions of marriage, domestic violence, child support and mediation.

Traffic Court

Traffic Court has jurisdiction over vehicle code infractions, most local Limited Civil infractions, and minor misdemeanors.

Drug Court

Alternatives to Incarceration; Our Philosophy

The Plumas County Drug Court desires to address the needs of nonviolent, diversion-eligible defendants. This specialized court includes a courtroom-based team approach with a strong judicial leadership role in the processing and treatment of drug cases. By relaxing their traditional adversarial roles, Drug Court officials work as a team. With the Judge acting as team leader, probation officers, prosecutors, defense attorneys, jail classification officers, the Bar Association Own Recognizance Program staff and treatment professionals work collaboratively to develop a strategy that is in the best interest of both the defendant and society.

Civil Court

Civil courts have jurisdiction over disputes involving money, title or possession of real property, and special cases such as change of name and injunctions. The non-judicial support for civil courts consists of Court Clerks, Calendar Clerks, Independent Calendar Clerks, Business Office Clerks, Research Attorneys, and Court Reporters. Some parties may be required to participate in mediation or arbitration

Small Claims

In Small Claims the jurisdictional limit is $5000. You may file as many claims as you wish for up to $2,500 in the Small Claims Court, but are limited to (2) claims for up to $5,000 each calendar year. The Parties Present Their Cases Themselves: An attorney may not represent you in court, although you may consult an attorney before you go to court or after.

Typical Cases: Typical cases involve, but are not limited to, auto accidents, property damage, landlord/tenant disputes and the collection of personal debts. Your case will be heard by a Superior Court Judge or a judge pro tem.

Plaintiff

1. Contact the other party to discuss and try to resolve the problem.
2. Keep communication open; try to resolve dispute with other party before hearing.
3. At your court appearance the judge will offer mediation as an option at the courts expense.

For Defendant

1. Contact plaintiff to discuss and try to work out dispute.
2. At your court appearance the judge will offer mediation as an option at the courts expense.