Glossary

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

A
ACCOUNTING DEPARTMENT- The Accounting Department is responsible for the collection of non-delinquent court ordered fines.
• FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT THE 'DEPARTMENTS' SECTION OF THIS WEBSITE
• FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT THE SUPERIOR COURT WEBSITE

APPEAL - The complaint to a superior court of an injustice done, or error committed, by a lower court, whose judgment or decision the higher court is being called upon to correct or reverse.

ATTORNEY - "Attorney at law", "lawyer". An advocate,counsel or official agent employed to prepare, manage and try cases in the courts.

B
BAILIFF - A court attendant entrusted with a variety of duties , including the custody of prisoners under arraignment, the protection of jurors and court personnel, and the maintenance of order in the courtroom. The Bailiff sits at a desk to the side of the Judge's Bench but often moves about the courtroom while performing his/her duties of handling prisoners and maintaining order in the courtroom.
• FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT THE 'PLAYERS' SECTION OF THIS WEBSITE

BENCH - 1] The seat for judges in a courtroom 2] The office or position of a judge. 3] The judge or judges composing a court.
• FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT THE 'TYPICAL COURT LAYOUT' SECTION OF THIS WEBSITE

C
CALENDAR- A list of cases scheduled for trial or hearing in a court.

CITATION - An order commanding the person named in it to appear on a given day to do something ordered. (Such as to appear in court on a specific day.)

COMPLAINT - In Civil Law - A complaint is the first pleading filed by the Plaintiff describing the “complaint” against the Defendant. In Criminal Law - A complaint is a charge that a person comitted a specified offense.

COURT CLERK - The court clerk is responsible for recording the minutes of the hearing, i.e., all the important information pertaining to your case. These minutes are then entered into the computer system. The court clerk is also responsible for marking exhibits into evidence during a trial, reading the verdict forms at the end of trial, and many other tasks needed for the smooth running of the courtroom.
• FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT THE 'PLAYERS' SECTION OF THIS WEBSITE
• FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT THE SUPERIOR COURT WEBSITE

CLERK'S OFFICE- The office of the Court which keeps the Court records and seal, issues process, enters judgments and orders and provides certified copies from the Court records.
• FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT THE SUPERIOR COURT WEBSITE

COURT REPORTER -The court reporter uses a machine to record everything that is said in the courtroom. The court reporter can then print out a hard copy of the proceedings (known as a transcript) at the request of the court or of an individual (there is a charge for this service), or if the case goes to the Appellate Court for review. They are sometimes called upon by the Judge or counsel during a proceeding, or by the jury during deliberation, to read back something that was said earlier in the proceedings.
• FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT THE 'PLAYERS' SECTION OF THIS WEBSITE
• FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT THE SUPERIOR COURT WEBSITE

D
top of page | bottom of page | close window

DECISION - A judgment or decree issued by a Judge deciding a controversy submitted to him or her.

DEFENDANT -The party against whom relief or recovery is sought in an action or suit in a civil matter. In a criminal matter, the person against whom a criminal charge has been brought.

DISOLLUTION PACKET -A packet of documents that can be purchased from the Forms Unit of the Courthouse containing paperwork and instructions needed to file for a divorce.

DISTRICT ATTORNEY -The prosecuting officer in a given judicial district.
• FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT THE 'PLAYERS' SECTION OF THIS WEBSITE

DIVERSION PROGRAM -Alternative programs offered to some offenders as an alternative to serving time in jail or paying a fine.

DOMESTIC ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE - Ordering commanding party to be brought before the court within a short period of time to show cause why that party should not pay temporary spousal support, child support, attorney fees, or be subject to injunctive or other orders requrested by the other party pending trial

DUI - Driving while under the influence of alcohol.

E
top of page | bottom of page | close window

EMANCIPATIONS - The act by which a minor can be given by a judge the ability to be free of the controls of a parent/guardian.

F top of page | bottom of page| close window

FAMILY LAW FACILITATOR - The Family Law Facilitator is able to assist unrepresented parties, (parties who do not have an attorney), primarily with issues regarding child support and/or spousal support. The facilitator also provides information and assistance with paternity actions, restraining orders, support calculations, and provides general information regarding representing yourself in Family Law and District Attorney child support actions.
• FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT THE 'DEPARTMENTS' SECTION OF THIS WEBSITE
• FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT THE SUPERIOR COURT WEBSITE

"FODDP" - FIRST OFFENSE DRINKING DRIVER PROGRAM - A program designed to educate the first time drinking driver offender about drinking and the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol. First time offenders who are convicted of a DUI are often sent to this program as a part of their sentence. Their compliance with the program may become a term of their probation.

t op of page | bottom of page| close window

INTERPRETER - Interpreters can be assigned to attend court with non-English speaking defendants in criminal matters. Individuals who are deaf are also eligible for interpreters for court proceedings. The role of the interpreter is to translate for defendants during the proceedings.
• FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT THE 'PLAYERS' SECTION OF THIS WEBSITE
• FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT THE SUPERIOR COURT WEBSITE

J

JUDGE- A public officer who presides over and administers the law in a court of justice; the chief member of a court, charged with the control of proceedings and the decision of questions of law or discretion.
• FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT THE 'PLAYERS' SECTION OF THIS WEBSITE
JUDGMENT- A determination of a court of law; a judicial decision. Also, a court act creating or affirming an obligation, such as a debt.

JURISDICTION- The power to subject parties in a particular case to decisions and rulings made in such case.

L

LOCAL RULES - Procedural rules developed by Local Courts.

M

MASTER CALENDAR - Court calendar at which matters are set for trial.

MEDIATION- The assistance of a neutral third person to help contending parties reconcile or persuade them to adjust or settle their dispute between themselves.

MODIFICATION REQUEST FORM - A form a party can fill out to request the court to change or modify some aspect of their sentence or terms of probation, i.e., the payment schedule set up for payment of a fine.

"MOFFP" -MULTIPLE OFFENSE DRINKING DRIVER PROGRAM - A program designed for the person who has been convicted for multiple DUI's. Their compliance with the program may become a term of their probation. Successful compliance with this program is necessary for the multiple offender to get his/her license back from the DMV.

O

ORDERS AFTER HEARING - Orders prepared after the hearing of a matter detailing the orders made.

P

PLAINTIFF- The party that files a suit in court.

PLEAD -To answer the charges brought against oneself in a court of law. To respond to a plaintiff's declarations or charges.

PLEADING - The process performed by the parties to a suit or action, in presenting written statments of their contention.

“A Pleading” is any one of the formal written statements of accusation or defense presented by the parties in an action at law.

PROBATION -Probation is a privilege that usually includes conditions that require serving a specific amount of time in jail or a juvenile institution, paying restitution to crime victims, abstaining from the use of alcohol and drugs, paying fines, and doing community service work. Failure to comply with these conditions result in the offender's removal from probation status and the imposition of other penalties.

PROBATION DEPARTMENT - The Probation Department is charged with the responsibility of community protection through the provision of mandated direct services to all of the Courts, including the supervision, control, and reform of offenders who are granted supervised probation.

PROOF OF SERVICE - Document signed under penalty of perjury and filed with the court listing the names of people served with a particular document, where they were served, and on what date.

PUBLIC DEFENDER - The Public Defender has the mandated responsibility of defending any person who is not financially able to employ counsel and who is charged with the commission of any contempt or offense triable in the superior or municipal courts. The Public Defender also represents qualified individuals in probate and welfare proceedings and may represent any person who is not financially able to employ counsel in proceedings relating to the nature or conditions of detention prior to adjudication.
• FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT THE 'PLAYERS' SECTION OF THIS WEBSITE

R

RESTRAINING ORDERS - Order prohibiting a party from doing something.

S

SENTENCE - The judgment formally pronounced by the Judge upon the defendant after his/her conviction in a criminal proceeding, deciding the punishment to be imposed.

SMALL CLAIMS ACTION - A dispute involving less than $5,000 that is decided before a Judge/Commissioner in the Small Claims Court. There are no attorney’s allowed for either side.

SMALL CLAIMS ADVISOR - The law requires each county to provide assistance in small claims cases free of charge. The Small Claims Advisor for our court is located in Room 107-J. You may see the Small Claims Advisor on a first come first served basis from 8-11 a.m. every day. He/she is also available by telephone every afternoon from noon to 4 p.m. at (707) 524-7349
• FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT THE 'DEPARTMENTS' SECTION OF THIS WEBSITE
• FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT THE SUPERIOR COURT WEBSITE

SMALL CLAIMS PACKET- A packet containing a claim form and instructions for filing a matter in the Small Claims Court.

SONOMA COUNTY DRINKING DRIVER PROGRAM - ("SCDDP") Division of the Sonoma County Health Services Department that deals with programs for drinking drivers, including programs such as the First Offender Drinking Driver Program and the Multiple Offender Drinking Driver Program.

top of page | bottom of page | close window

UNDER SUBMISSION - A matter that is taken by the Judge to be decided at a later date, with the decision to be mailed to all parties.

UNLAWFUL DETAINER CALENDAR - A court calendar that hears matters involving renter/landlord matters for possession of real property.

W, X, Y, Z
WARRANT- A written order issued and signed by a Judge, directed to a peace officer or some other person specially named, and commanding him to arrest the body of a person named in it, who is accused of an offense.

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z