How to Appear for Your Hearing
In certain circumstances, the San Diego Superior Court may allow appearances for hearings to be either in-person or virtual.
For infractions, the court allows virtual appearances pursuant to Penal Code § 1428.5. However, if any participant appears virtually and the defendant does not consent to virtual participation, then all participants (i.e. defendant, counsel, and witnesses, including law enforcement officers) will be required to be physically present in court, within a reasonable amount of time as determined by the judicial officer. If a defendant and retained counsel appear from different locations, it is defendant and counsel’s responsibility to set up a private line of communication during the hearing; the court will not provide one. And, even if defendant consents to remote appearances, the court retains the authority to require the physical presence of any witness or party in court for a particular proceeding. (See Pen. Code, § 1428.5(a)(2).)
To Appear In-Person:
Please arrive at the courthouse at least 15 minutes before your scheduled hearing and report to the appropriate courtroom as follows. If you have retained counsel, follow the direction they provide you on appearing. Otherwise, from the courthouse lobby entrance:
- Kearny Mesa – report directly to the courtroom indicated on your paperwork.
- South County – check in with staff and obtain an admittance ticket to the designated department.
- North County – check in with staff at the entrance of the building.
- East County – check in with staff at the entrance of the building.
If either you or your attorney, if you have one, are appearing from different locations, it is your and your attorney’s responsibility to set up a private line of communication during the hearing; the court will not provide one.
To Appear Virtually:
You can attend the hearing by video or audio conference using the free Microsoft Teams App, unless otherwise ordered by the court. If either you or your attorney, if you have one, are appearing from different locations, it is your and your attorney’s responsibility to set up a private line of communication during the hearing; the court will not provide one.