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Important Notice:

The Merced Superior Court Old Courthouse located at 627 W. 21st Street is closed from Monday, December 2 through Friday December 6, 2024.
The Civil Clerk's Office has been relocated to 720 W. 20th Street (Merced Traffic location) and can be reached at (209) 725-4111.

Tentative Rulings

Civil Law and Motion Tentative Rulings

Prior to the scheduled hearing of a civil law and motion matter, the court may issue a tentative ruling.

If the court has not directed oral argument and notice of intent to appear has not been given, the tentative ruling becomes the ruling of the court. No hearing is held unless one of the parties contests the tentative ruling by complying with California Rules of Court, rule 3.1308(a)(1) and Local Rule 3.2.

Oral argument is only permitted if a party notifies all other parties and the court by 4:00 p.m. on the court day before the hearing of the party’s intention to appear. Notice to the court shall be given by calling (209) 725-4240 or in person. If no tentative ruling is posted on a particular matter, or if the tentative ruling indicates that an appearance is required, then the parties must appear at the hearing.

Tentative rulings are posted daily by 3:00 p.m. on the court day before the scheduled hearing and may be obtained by calling (209) 725-4240. Rulings also are displayed by the day of the week of the scheduled hearing via the links below.

Parties intending to appear and contest a tentative ruling on the law and motion calendar must notify all other parties and call (209) 725-4240 to notify the court of such intent before 4:00 p.m. on the court day before the hearing.

Telephonic Appearances

Please see California Rules of Court, rule 3.670 and Local Rule 3(e).

Preparation of Order

The prevailing party must prepare a proposed order in accordance with California Rules of Court, rule 3.1312.

Dropping a Civil Law & Motion Matter

If a matter scheduled for the law and motion calendar settles or is dismissed, the moving party is responsible for notifying the court clerk’s office prior to the hearing.

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