Check-in: Check in for your case digitally in any of the following ways: a. Scan the Department check-in QR code using a personal electronic device. b. Go directly to: https://tinyurl.com/CentralD201 c. Use the Court laptop at the bailiff station. If you had proper notice of the hearing but fail to appear on time, the Court may proceed in your absence as permitted by law. 2. General Conduct: Be respectful to others in the courtroom. Interruptions, name-calling, and derogatory language are not permitted. Silence your phone and any other devices. 3.

Virtual Appearances: You are encouraged to appear in person for trial. If you appear online, make sure you have a reliable connection and a quiet background. If you testify, make sure your video works. If you have repeated technical difficulties, the Court may require you to come to the courthouse. SAN DIEGO SUPERIOR COURT CENTRAL CIVIL DIVISION UNLAWFUL DETAINER DEPARTMENT POLICIES AND PROCEDURES 2 4. Contact Information: Absent good cause, you must provide a current address and telephone number to the Court and include your contact information in each court filing. 5.

Interpreters: The Court will provide an interpreter for a party or witness upon request at no charge. Requests for interpreters should be made as early as possible before the hearing date. TRIALS 6. Settlement Meet & Confer: Before trial, the Court requires the parties to talk by phone or in-person to see if they can reach an agreement to settle the case out of court. You are not required to settle.

If you reach a settlement, tell the bailiff or clerk and do not leave the courthouse or log-off (if appearing remotely) until you confirm with court staff that the case is “off calendar.” Put any settlement agreement in writing. 7. Trial Meet & Confer: Before trial, show your exhibits to the opposing parties, identify your witnesses, and estimate how much time your case will take. Uploading exhibits to the Court’s portal does not mean the other side has seen your exhibits; share the exhibits with the opposing parties directly. 8.

Trial Procedure: Trials generally proceed as follows, but procedures may vary: opening statements, plaintiff’s evidence, defendant’s evidence, plaintiff’s rebuttal evidence, and closing arguments. Evidence includes testimony (subject to questions from the other side) and exhibits. Reasonable time limits will be imposed. Upon request, the Court may exclude non-party witnesses from the courtroom during trial. 9. Trial Exhibits: Exhibits can include lease agreements, notices to tenants, photographs, rent receipts, text messages, and emails.

Plaintiffs should use numbers to identify exhibits (1, 2, 3, etc.), and defendants should use letters to identify exhibits (A, B, C, etc.). Ask the judge to admit each exhibit separately into evidence. Courtesy copies of exhibits are appreciated. 10. Trial Objections: If you object to an exhibit, state the legal grounds and then stop, unless the Court asks for a longer explanation. 11. Trial Preparedness: Be ready to proceed on the scheduled trial date and bring all your exhibits and witnesses. You are responsible for ensuring your witnesses appear; subpoenas may be required to compel their attendance.

SAN DIEGO SUPERIOR COURT CENTRAL CIVIL DIVISION UNLAWFUL DETAINER DEPARTMENT POLICIES AND PROCEDURES 3 12. Continuances: The Court will postpone trial beyond the 20th day after a trial request only if all parties agree or upon a showing of good cause. JURY TRIALS 13. A party may waive the right to a jury trial if not timely requested. If a jury trial is requested, jury fees must be paid five days before trial, unless a fee waiver is granted. LAW AND MOTION 14. Courtesy Copies: The Court requests courtesy copies of court filings to prepare for hearings.

Courtesy copies may be delivered directly to the courtroom or to the courtesy copy box at window of the criminal business office, preferably at least court days before the hearing. Failure to provide courtesy copies of voluminous filings may result in delays of your matter. 15. Discovery Motions: Before filing a discovery motion to compel further responses, meet and confer with the responding party to attempt to resolve any dispute. Include a copy of the relevant discovery requests and responses with your discovery motion. 16.

Proposed Orders and Judgments: Parties are responsible for preparing proposed orders, judgments, and other required documents. To the extent applicable, you are encouraged to use the Unlawful Detainer forms available on the Judicial Council of California website here: https://selfhelp.courts.ca.gov/find-forms?query=eviction.