Sonoma County Superior Court

Introduction:

The superior court of Sonoma is a city courthouse in Sonoma County, California. The Northern District of California appeals to the United States of Appeals ninth circuit. The courthouse was established in 1891; then, further advancement was made in the building, and in 1996 the municipal and superior courts merged into one superior court with a justice hall. A new courthouse construction project was started in 2021, and it is expected that the new courthouse with modern technology will be completed in 2023. The court’s mission is to give court services in an efficient, courteous, timely and knowledgeable way so that the purpose of serving the community with fair and justice behavior will be served. It has jurisdiction over criminal, small claims, probation, juvenile, appeal, civil, family, traffic, and vehicle matters. They provide services like online payment, forms, online case search, e-filing, and many more, so it is optional to go to court for these services. This court also provides self-help for a different division. Every person must follow local rules and wear a mask in this court. Proper dressing is required during the case hearing. Four superior courts located in this county are:

• SONOMA COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT – CIVIL AND FAMILY LAW COURTHOUSE
• SONOMA COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT – EMPIRE COLLEGE ANNEX
• SONOMA COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT – HALL OF JUSTICE
• SONOMA COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT – JUVENILE JUSTICE CENTER

How to search for case information?

Sonoma County Superior Court Case Search can be done online using the court case management search portal https://cmsportal.sonomacourt.org/iportal.You must be registered on the portal if you want access to case search, case hearing matters using the portal offered smart searching. The court maintains all the records online, in files or in a database. The Search can be done in the following ways:

• Search by Case Number, citation, record or traffic number
• Search by First, middle and last name
• Search by Party or business name
• Search by filling date
• Search by Case type

After entering the data, the case information, parties, event and hearing date will all come. The portal will only show those records information that is publicly available. Some records are unavailable; if the information does not come, the case records will be removed or confidential and cannot be displayed online. You have to go to the court or give an achieved record request for these documents, and then the court will decide whether to provide that information to you. The fee for each document per page is $0.50, which is mandatory. All the guidelines related to different case searches and how to register on the portal search are available online on the website.

How can I make a payment?

Sonoma County Superior Court payment for traffic tickets and fines can be made in the following ways:

In-Person:

A person can pay for tickets and fines by visiting the court during regular court hours and paying in cash, checks, or with a card at the court payment office. Take your ticket when you are coming for payment. 2.5% surcharges will be applied if you make payment with a credit card. 

 Online: 

Sonoma court’s online payments can be made using the Superior Court Online Portal https://www.ncourt.com/x-press/x-onlinepayments.aspx?juris=7af39c34-e82b-4da7-9815-5e62e9cbe048. Enter the Ticket/Citation, case, and driving license number. Your case information with the amount of the fine will be displayed. Select the payment option and pay the amount online.

 Mail: 

A Person can send a certified check or money order to the court’s mailing address; 3055 Cleveland Ave, Santa Rosa, CA 95403, United States. Cash partial payment or personal checks are not acceptable in the mail; only certified checks or money orders are accepted. Remember to write your citation, name, case number and account number when you send the payment, and mail the amount in a self-addressed, stamped envelope if you want a receipt.

Drop Box:

A person can also make a payment in an envelope and put it in the drop box at the court’s front door. Write your name, address and citation number on the envelope.

Contact the court if you want a payment plan, a fine conversion into some community service or any other general payment option.

The traffic court handles which type of cases?

Sonoma County Traffic Court deals with all types of traffic, vehicle and speeding violations. The violation includes:

• Speeding
• Accident
• Drive without a license or suspended license
• Violation of traffic rules
• Using a phone while driving

There are many options to clear your citation; if you need to clear it, you can request an extension online or call 707-521-6680 before the due date. If the due date is passed, additional fines, penalties, punishment and suspension of the license will be added to your previous charges. When the violation is an infraction, the traffic court officer orders your appearance, and the schedule is written on the ticket.

How to clear the citation?

Sonoma County Superior Court – Hall of Justice deals with all the matters related to traffic and vehicle matters. This court sent all the speeding tickets. If your ticket does not have a mandatory appearance in court, then you can clear your citation in the following ways:

• Pay the full bail amount before the due date. After paying this, your cases will be closed, and your driver’s license records conviction will be reported.
• Sign the Correction Certificate with the required fees and send it via mail to the court.
• Sign up for Traffic Violator School if your offense is eligible for the course. After you complete the course, your citation will be removed.
• Request for a trial of court. Read the “to Contest for Citation” information if you need any information.

The family court handles which type of cases?

Sonoma County Family Court deals with all types of issues related to the family. The issues include:

• Divorce, legal separation or nullity of marriage
• Child custody and visitation issues
• Child, Spousal and Family support issues
• Domestic Violence
• Elder abuse issue
• Adoption issues

You can access family law records and online calendars from the civil and family law courthouse and the portal. Family law facilitators’ facilities are also available.

How many juvenile cases are handled by this court?

SONOMA COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT – JUVENILE JUSTICE CENTER handles all the matters related to juvenile involvement. Three types of juvenile cases are handled that includes:

Juvenile Dependency Court:

It takes cases in which a juvenile committed a law violation.

Juvenile Delinquency Court:

It takes cases in which the youth or child is neglected or treated miserly or poorly.

Juvenile Traffic Court :

It takes cases in which a juvenile is involved in any traffic, vehicle and speeding violation matters.

How can I take a virtual case hearing?

Sonoma County Superior Court virtual hearing can be done using the zoom application. Fill out the virtual hearing form and send it to the court; the court will give you a schedule with a meeting link if your case is eligible for a virtual hearing. Join the session 10 minutes before the schedule. Make sure your internet connection is strong. Mute your microphone and speak only when the judge calls your name.

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