VENTURA COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT: NOVEMBER 27, DECEMBER 23, 24, 26, AND 27, 2024 – LIMITED OPERATIONS

Pursuant to Government Code §68106, the Superior Court of California, County of Ventura (“Court”), is providing sixty (60) days’ notice of limited operation days.

The majority of the courtrooms and all of the Clerk’s Offices will be closed on November 27 and December 23, 24, 26, and 27, 2024, to mitigate the reduction in trial court funding for Fiscal Year 2024/25. Limited courtrooms will remain open for criminal custody calendars, preliminary hearings, criminal last-day trials, juvenile detentions, unlawful detainer, mental health, and all types of temporary restraining orders.

These days are not court holidays, so statutory deadlines will not be extended. Documents may be submitted through U.S. mail or drop boxes currently provided outside of the Hall of Justice and the Juvenile courthouse for filing papers or submitting payments.
Documents placed in the boxes by 4:00 p.m. are deemed deposited for filing that same business day. eDelivery for applicable case types will be available until 4:00 p.m. The Court also anticipates implementing eFiling for Civil and Probate matters prior to the proposed closure dates, so documents may be submitted through the applicable EFSP (electronic filing service provider) and deemed deposited for filing that same day but will not be processed until after the closures. (Updated filing information will be posted on the Court’s website during the week of November 12, 2024.) Most cases already calendared for hearing will be rescheduled and the affected parties notified by the Court. An exterior walk-up window on the north side of the Hall of Justice near parking lots A, B and C will be open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on December 24, 2024) for handling criminal/traffic and collections payments only. The East County Courthouse walk-up window will be closed but a drop box will be available in the lobby for traffic and collections payments only (no filings).

These dates were selected to minimize the impact on the public and court staff as Court business is generally slowest during the holiday season.

While the Court regrets having to take the above actions, they are required to address the reduction in funding to the California trial court system. The current California state budget included a $97 million dollar budget reduction for California Trial Courts. The Ventura Superior Court’s share of the statewide reduction is $2.1 million, which has resulted in a structural budget deficit.

Anyone wishing to comment on this proposed plan may do so, either by regular mail or e-mail, by November 26, 2024. Please direct your response to:

• Brenda L. McCormick, Court Executive Officer
  P.O. Box 6489
  Ventura, CA 93006-6489 or
• closureresponse@ventura.courts.ca.gov

You can view the full notice here.