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This web site is designed to give you general information on civil issues.

It is not a substitute for legal advice.

Please be warned that court forms, laws and local rules change constantly. Though best efforts are made to keep this web site current, some of the information may be outdated.

 

Civil Division:

With the unification of the Municipal and Superior courts, the unified court has jurisdiction over all civil matters. Civil cases involve matters that are not criminal in nature. The cases are devided into two categories, limited jurisdiction and unlimited jurisciction.

The Civil Division processes actions brought by people, businesses or parties to recover property, to force someone to honor a contract, or to protect one's personal rights. They may include unlimited civil, limited civil, family law, probate, and small claims cases.

The filing of a complaint commences a Civil Action. This is the means by which the Court acquires jurisdiction of the case and is the start of a case file. The person who sues is the plaintiff. The person who is sued is the defendant.

  • Small Claims

    When the amount being sought is $5,000 or less, the claim may be filed in Small Claims.

  • Limited Civil

    The claims that used to be filed in Municipal Court are now known as "Limited Civil" at Superior Court. The amount claimed cannot be for more than $25,000.

  • Unlimited Civil

    The claims that used to be filed in Superior Court are now known as "Unlimited Civil" at Superior Court. The amount claimed is generally more than $25,000, but can be for smaller amounts in certain types of cases.

 

In order to file a civil action in the Superior Court of California, County of Mariposa, one of the following must be true:

  • A defendant lives in Mariposa County, or the defendant is a business which has its principal place of business in the Mariposa County.
  • A person was injured or personal property was damaged in Mariposa County, and these damages make up the foundation of the claim being filed.
  • A defendant signed or entered into a contract in Mariposa County, a defendant lived in Mariposa County when the contract was entered into, a contract or obligation was to be performed in Mariposa County, or the defendant was a corporation and the contract was breached in Mariposa County.

 

 

 

 


    
 
 
    
     

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