The Court is limiting public access through February 26th, 2021.
Parties may continue to file matters by mail or drop box. Unless otherwise notified by the Court, hearings in Small Claims will go forward as scheduled, via Zoom.
|
Department 54 (Walnut Creek and Richmond) Hearings will commence Mondays, Wednesdays, & Fridays
Zoom Link: Department 54 Zoom Link |
Department 57 (Pittsburg and Martinez) Hearings will commence on December 21, 2020. Pittsburg
Zoom Link: Department 57 Zoom Link Martinez
Zoom Link: Department 57 Zoom Link |
Special Rules for Remote Hearings:
- Parties must serve and submit documents via drop box or overnight delivery 3 court days prior to hearing (as in current Civil Emergency Rules)
- Documents will be destroyed after court renders judgment, per custom, so submit copies only
- For parties who cannot/do not want to appear by ZOOM: Continuances may be requested on short notice, 5 days prior and with no fee. The department will set the matter 90 days out for a live hearing. Continuances requested for other reasons must comply with regular rules including submission of the fee.
| Small Claims Courts | Addresses | Telephone No. |
|---|---|---|
| Martinez | 725 Court Street, Martinez, CA 94553 | (925) 608-1000 |
| Pittsburg | 1000 Center Drive, Pittsburg, CA 94565 | |
| Richmond | 100 37th Street, Richmond, CA 94805 | |
| Where to File: | Contra Costa Court Filing Information and Locations | |
| Amounts You May Sue For and Filing Fees | |
|---|---|
| If you are: a person (this includes sole-proprietors) you may claim up to $10,000; if you are a Corporation, limited liability company or partnership, you may claim up to $5,000. | |
| If your claim is between…. | Your filing fee is: |
| $0 and $1,500 | $30 per case |
| $1,501 and $5,000 | $50 per case |
| $5,001 and $10,000 | $75 per case |
| When you file more than 12 cases in any 12-month period, the filing fee is: $100 per case. | |
| You are limited to filing two claims per calendar year (Jan-Dec) for more than $2,500. | |
Assistance and Small Claims Advisor
The Small Claims Advisor helps both plaintiffs and defendants understand how to prepare and file their court forms, follow court procedures, consider different ways to settle a case, and get ready for court. In Contra Costa County, the Small Claims Advisor holds legal information workshops in different parts of the county.Contact the Small Claims Advisor
You will get a response within 2 weeks of your email. If you cannot wait for a response, you can follow the links below to get information that might answer some or all of your questions.
If you would like to talk to a lawyer, call the Contra Costa Bar Association at 925-825-5700. They charge a $35.00 administrative fee to schedule a half-hour consultation with an attorney.
Download the Form Packet