Civil Cases involve claims by one party or individual against another for wrongs committed or damages done. Civil Cases can be divided into these main categories:

• Civil Unlimited: The claims are for an amount greater than $25,000.
• Civil Limited Between $25,000 and $10,000: The claims are for an amount between $25,000 and $10,000.
• Civil Limited Less Than $10,000: The claims are for an amount less than $10,000, such as Residential Unlawful Detainers, Civil Harassment, Employment Harassment, and Elder Abuse, to list a few.
• Small Claims: The claims are for an amount less than $5,000
• Adoptions

LOCATION

The Civil Division is in the Main Courthouse located at:

Madera Superior Court
Civil Division
209 West Yosemite Avenue
Madera, Ca. 93637

The Sierra Division is located at:

Madera Superior Court
Sierra Division
40601 Road 274
Bass Lake, CA 93604

HOURS

Normal hours are 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The busiest hours are from 8-10:00 AM and from 2-4:00 PM. Visitors are encouraged to report to the Civil Department window no later than 3:00 PM for processing and copies of case files. Any processing submitted between 3-4:00 PM will be processed the same day and are to be retrieved the next business day.

For tentative calendar dates call the Calendar Division for cases that are scheduled to be heard at the Main Courthouse at 675-7943 or the Sierra Division for cases that are scheduled to be heard at Bass Lake Court at 642-3235 between the hours of 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM.

FEES

Current fees assessed through this department can be found on the Schedule of Fees.

FORMS

Forms typically used in this department can be found on the California Judicial Council website and are available at the Main courthouse and Sierra Division courthouse.

LOCAL PROCEDURES AND NOTES

• Ex-parte hearings are heard in Department 5, Monday-Friday at 8:00 A.M. and in the Sierra Court, Monday-Friday at 9:00 A.M. Documents along with the 24-hour Notice or Non-notice Declaration must be submitted to the courts no later than 10:00 a.m. the previous work day prior to the court date.
• All documents are to be filed two (2) days prior to the court date.
• Madera Superior Court does not have a Probate Examiner on staff. Plaintiffs must complete the forms properly by themselves or seek legal assistance from an attorney or paralegal.
• If you scheduled for a long-cause trial at the Sierra Division, please take a moment to review Department Eight Trial Policies.
  

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