- A trial date must already be scheduled in your small claims case in order to submit trial exhibits. Do not submit your trial exhibits at the time of filing a new claim or Notice of Appeal. Trial exhibits submitted in a case that does not have a trial date already scheduled will not be accepted.
- Trial exhibits must be exchanged with all parties named in the case prior to the scheduled hearing date. Failure to exchange your exhibits with all parties may result in the court not considering the evidence at the hearing. It is recommended that exhibits be exchanged at least ten (10) days before the scheduled hearing date.
- You may submit your trial exhibits in the following manner:
- Electronically using the Exhibit Upload Application.
NOTE: Exhibit submissions to the Application are limited to 20 MB. Accepted file types are as follows:
Text
.txt (ASCII characters only)
PDF
.pdf
Word
.doc, .docx
Image
.png, .jpg, .jpeg
Video
.mp4
- By U.S. mail addressed to the court location to which your case is assigned. Include a cover sheet with your name, the case number, case name, and hearing date. Include a self-addressed, stamped envelope large enough to return your exhibits.
- By depositing your exhibits in the Central Small Claims Business Office drop box. Include a cover sheet with your name, the case number, case name, and hearing date. Include a self-addressed, stamped envelope large enough to return your exhibits.
- You may also bring your trial exhibits with you to court if you are appearing at the hearing in-person.
- Electronically using the Exhibit Upload Application.
- If you choose to submit your exhibits electronically, by mail, or by drop box, they must be submitted to the court at least ten (10) days before your scheduled hearing date. DO NOT SEND ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS. Trial exhibits submitted less than ten (10) days before the hearing may result in the court not considering the evidence at the hearing.
- When submitting your trial exhibits to the court, do not submit filings such as a Proof of Service, Request to Postpone Trial, Request to Dismiss, Declaration of Military Status, Authorization to Appear, Change of Address, Interpreter Request/Cancellation Form, etc., or any other submission other than trial exhibits. These forms mentioned above must be filed in the Small Claims Business Office and will not be considered if submitted through the Exhibit Upload application.
- Pursuant to San Diego Local Rule 2.5.6, “…Exhibits must be legible and complete, and not require the use of another resource to hear or view the exhibits.” The following are specifically prohibited and ARE NOT ALLOWED for exhibit submission:
- Compact Discs (CDs)
- Digital Video Discs (DVDs)
- Other types of digital storage devices
- USB flash drive (thumb drive)
- External file-sharing links such as Google Drive
- Exhibits must be numbered consecutively (i.e. Exhibit 1, Exhibit 2). Exhibits with multiple pages, must have page numbers affixed on the front of each page (i.e. Page 1, 2, 3).