Monday, January 26, 2015

5th Dist. civil e-filing starts Feb. 17

Mandatory e-Filing at Fifth Appellate District begins with civil filings in February
Allows for 24 hour filing; self-represented litigants exempt; criminal and juvenile matters to follow later

FRESNO—Administrative Presiding Justice Brad Hill today announced that the Court of Appeal, Fifth Appellate District will implement mandatory e-Filing of all civil filings, including original proceedings, through TrueFiling, beginning February 17, 2015. “We are pleased to be the second Court of Appeal in the state to implement an e-Filing system that will benefit the public, attorneys, and the court by providing a more efficient, convenient, and technologically advanced process for filing and managing cases,” said Administrative Presiding Justice Hill. “The court appreciates the cooperation and assistance demonstrated by the local bar associations in preparing for this major enhancement in service to the litigants and legal professionals in the counties we all serve.” Pre-registration for e-Filing in civil proceedings on TrueFiling will open on February 10, 2015, in preparation for the mandatory e-Filing commencement date of Tuesday, February 17, 2015. The process is being implemented under California Rule of Court 8.70, with exemptions under Rule 8. Electronic Filing of the Local Rules of the Court of Appeal Fifth Appellate District. It is currently planned to add e-Filing for criminal and juvenile matters in mid-March. “The Clerk’s office is looking forward to e-Filing and the positive changes it brings for everyone involved, and we also felt that it was important for equal access that there be an exemption process to the Rule, especially for self-represented litigants” said Fifth District Clerk / Administrator Charlene Ynson. “e-Filing is the next vital step toward continuing to meet the court’s goals of providing more effective public access to the court, increasing our efficiency, and ultimately modernizing the court operations.”

The 10 justice Court of Appeal, Fifth Appellate District in Fresno has jurisdiction over cases originating in the following counties: Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera, Mariposa, Merced, Stanislaus, Tulare, and Tuolumne.