Local Rules

Current Local Rules

Local Rules effective January 1, 2026

Guidelines for evidence submission

• Guidelines for Evidence Submission for Non-Criminal Trials and Evidentiary Hearings
• Presentacion de Evidencias Para Juicios y Audiencias Probatorias en Casos No Criminales 
• Video Evidence Presentation in the Courtroom (in-person and remote)
• Presentación de pruebas en video en la sala del tribunal

Proposed Local Rules and Proposed New Local Forms 

Proposed changes to Local Rules:

The following proposed changes to our Local Rules are open for public comment. All public comments may be submitted to proposed.rules@santacruzcourt.org Comments will be accepted through 5:00 p.m. May 9th. 

New Rules:

• Rule 1.1.11 Prevention of Bias Committee

Modifications to Existing Rules:

• Rule 2.2.07 Continuance of Trials
  • Minor changes to the continuance process for traffic and minor violation cases found in subsection (a)(4) to match local form SUPTMV 024. Adds in that a request by a defendant must include the name and address of the citing agency. Other minor changes for readability.
• Rule 5.1.06 Jury Trials (Criminal)
  • Changes to subsection (b) addressing when motions in limine, witness lists, exhibit lists, and jury instructions are due. The current rule requires them to be submitted no later than 1:30 p.m. on the Thursday two weeks before the trial date. The current rule also requires two copies of proposed jury instructions. The proposed rule changes the submission deadline to 12 noon the day of the Calendar Call and removes the requirement to provide two copies of jury instructions.
• Rule 11.1.01 The Court’s Acceptance of Exhibits
  • Minor changes to subsections (a) and (e) for clarity.
  • New subsection (b) now states that evidence provided on removable storage devices must be accompanied by an exhibit list.
  • Former subsection (b) is now part of (c).
  • Items 8 and 9 in subsection (d) have been removed because they are part of the controlled substance schedules referenced in form item 11, which is now item 9.
  • A new item 10 has been added to include Firearms, knives, and other weapons.

Proposed new Local Forms:

There are no current proposals for public comment.