SMC-Connect Logo

Find community services in San Mateo County

Southern Branch

Government

Southern Branch

Superior Court of California, County of San Mateo

Handles misdemeanor criminal and traffic cases for the southern part of the county, and felony, civil, small claims, and probate and family law cases for the entire county.

Description:

Handles misdemeanor criminal and traffic cases for the southern part of the county, and felony, civil, small claims, and probate and family law cases for the entire county. Appropriate Dispute Resolution (ADR) provides an alternative to lawsuits. Types of resolution include arbitration, mediation, neutral evaluation, mini-trials, settlement conferences, private judging and negotiation. Call 650261-5075 or 261-5076 for more information or visit the web: sanmateocourt.org/adr. Small Claims Court hears cases where there has been personal injury or damage to property, or broken contracts or obligations and the amount of money involved does not exceed $5,000 for businesses or $10,000 for individuals. This court handles claims when the defendant resides in the judicial district served or the claim is on an action that took place within the district. Plaintiffs must be age 18 or over and the claim must be filed by the original owner of the claim. Hearings are generally scheduled within40 days after the filing date when the defendant is a county resident, or within 70 days for nonresidents. Lawyers are not allowed to represent people in small claims courts. Non-English speakers must provide their own interpreter. Small Claims Advisory workshops provide assistance for litigants in these cases. The workshops are offered on Wednesday afternoons from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on the second floor of the courthouse adjacent to the Executive/Jury Commissioner’s office. The sign up sheet will be available 1 hour prior to start time right outside the conference room door. Limited to 12 people. Small claims mediation services are also available as an alternative to Small Claims Court. This voluntary program allows participants to work with a trained mediator who will help the parties reach a mutually satisfactory resolution.

Location

Public Transit:

SAMTRANS stops in front, CALTRAIN station within 2 blocks.
400 County Center, Redwood City, CA 94063-1655 37.4881077 -122.2309704 Government

Service Options

Accessibility Options:

  • Disabled Parking
  • Disabled Restroom
  • Interpreter for the deaf
  • Ramp
  • Wheelchair

Services

How to Apply:

Service Areas:

  • San Mateo County