Los Angeles County Small Claims Court, California

Los Angeles County Small Claims Court Locations

Small Claims Court cases are heard in 23 courthouses across the County. The website address for Los Angeles County Superior Court (which will have more information for small claims court cases) is: www.lasuperiorcourt.org. Here are the locations:

Stanley Mosk Courthouse

The Stanley Mosk Courthouse is located at:

111 N. Hill St.
Los Angeles, CA 90012-3014

The phone number is: 213-974-6350

Central Civil West Courthouse

The Central Civil West Courthouse is located at:

600 S. Commonwealth Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90005

The phone number is: 213-974-6350

East Los Angeles Courthouse

The East Los Angeles Courthouse is located at:

4848 East Civic Center Way
Los Angeles, CA 90005

The phone number is: 213-351-8738

Pomona South Courthouse

The Pomona South Courthouse is located at:

4848 East Civic Center Way
Los Angeles, CA 90022

The phone number is: 323-780-2017

Pomona South Courthouse

The Pomona South Courthouse is located at:

400 Civic Ctr. Plz.
Pomona, CA 91766

The phone number is: 909-620-3023

West Covina Courthouse

The West Covina Courthouse is located at:

1427 W. Covina Pkwy.
West Covina, CA 91790-2799

The phone number is: 909-620-3023

El Monte Courthouse

The El Monte Courthouse is located at:

11234 E. Valley Blvd.
West Covina, CA 91790-2799

The phone number is: 626-813-3226

Burbank Courthouse

The Burbank Courthouse is located at:

11234 E. Valley Blvd.
El Monte, CA 91731-3288

The phone number is: 626-575-4116

Burbank Courthouse

The Burbank Courthouse is located at:

300 E. Olive Ave.
Burbank, CA 91502

The phone number is: 818-557-3461

Glendale Courthouse

The Glendale Courthouse is located at:

600 E. Broadway
Glendale, CA 91206-4395

The phone number is: 818-557-3461

Pasadena Courthouse

The Pasadena Courthouse is located at:

300 E. Walnut St.
Glendale, CA 91206-4395

The phone number is: 818-500-3551

San Fernando Courthouse

The San Fernando Courthouse is located at:

300 E. Walnut St.
Pasadena, CA 91101-1566

The phone number is: 626-356-5684

San Fernando Courthouse

The San Fernando Courthouse is located at:

900 Third St.S
San Fernando, CA 91340

The phone number is: 818-898-2425

Santa Clarita Courthouse

The Santa Clarita Courthouse is located at:

23747 W. Valencia Blvd.
Valencia, CA 93155-2913

The phone number is: 818-898-2425

Chatsworth Courthouse

The Chatsworth Courthouse is located at:

9425 Penfield Ave.
Valencia, CA 93155-2913

The phone number is: 661-253-7312

Michael D. Antonovich – Antelope Valley Courthouse

The Michael D. Antonovich – Antelope Valley Courthouse is located at:

9425 Penfield Ave.
Chatsworth, CA 91311

The phone number is: 818-576-8586

Michael D. Antonovich – Antelope Valley Courthouse

The Michael D. Antonovich – Antelope Valley Courthouse is located at:

42011 4th St. West
Lancaster, CA 93534

The phone number is: 661-974-7200

Van Nuys Courthouse East

The Van Nuys Courthouse East is located at:

6230 Sylmar Ave.
Van Nuys, CA 91401

The phone number is: 661-974-7200

Governor George Deukmejian Courthouse

The Governor George Deukmejian Courthouse is located at:

275 Magnolia Ave.
Van Nuys, CA 91401

The phone number is: 818-374-2901

Compton Courthouse

The Compton Courthouse is located at:

275 Magnolia Ave.
Long Beach, CA 90802-4591

The phone number is: 562-256-2317

Compton Courthouse

The Compton Courthouse is located at:

200 W. Compton Blvd.
Compton, CA 90220

The phone number is: 310-603-7842

Norwalk Courthouse

The Norwalk Courthouse is located at:

12720 Norwalk Blvd.
Norwalk, CA 90650-3188

The phone number is: 310-603-7842

Downey Courthouse

The Downey Courthouse is located at:

7500 E. Imperial Hwy.
Norwalk, CA 90650-3188

The phone number is: 562-807-7340

Small Claims Court Mediation

You may be asked to have your mediated before the trial. Mediation is a procedure where each side discusses the case with a third party (called the mediator), and the mediator tries to reach an agreement that both sides agree to. Mediation may be offered on the day of your actual court hearing, but before you see the judge. Mediation may work for your case, but at the very least, it will give you the chance to explain your case to someone (before you explain it to the judge).

Filing Fee for Small Claims Court cases in Los Angeles County

A filing fee is required and is set relative to the amount of money you are requesting for your claim. If a plaintiff has filed twelve or less claims over the past twelve months, the filing fees are:

  • $0 to $1,500 – $30
  • $1,500 to $5,000 – $50
  • $5,000 to $10,000 – $75

If you filed twelve or more small claims court actions in the last twelve months, the filing fee is a constant $100.00.

What is Small Claims Court?

Small claims court is a special court where disputes between parties are handled quickly and inexpensively. Each County in California follows the same rules and procedures for small claims court cases. The rules are designed to be less complex and more less formal when compared to general civil cases. The person who files the lawsuit or action is called the plaintiff. The Defendant is the person or business that is being sued. In small claims court cases in California, neither party is allowed to have a lawyer represent you at the hearing. But, each party can talk to and ask questions to an attorney before or after the hearing if they wish.

When will my case be heard?

Each County has its own Superior Court. The length of time between when the case is filed and when the hearing is varies for each county in California (and even within each county). Generally, the small claims court trial should be between twenty and seventy days after the case is filed. But, because of state budget cuts to the court’s budget, these hearings are usually being set well past the seventy day mark (which should give you plenty of time to prepare for the trial).

How can I prepare for my Small Claims Court Hearing?

Los Angeles County Small Claims Court
Los Angeles County Small Claims Court
Your case will probably be on the same calendar and heard at the same time as a number of other small claims court cases. Often, the court’s schedule is very busy, and the court will expect you to present your argument in just a few minutes. (It is usually smart to pay attention to the cases heard before yours to see which issues and questions the judge asks the parties). It is very important to spend time preparing for your case ahead of time. This means organizing and bringing all paperwork and other documents that support your side (receipts, contracts, pictures, etc.). Bring other witnesses who were present during relevant times and can provide testimony about the incident. Being prepared for the hearing is half the battle. After hearing both sides, the judge may make a decision at the hearing or notify the parties of the ruling by mail, several days later.

Can I file my claim in Los Angeles County?

Usually, a claim must be filed in the County where the person or business being sued resides. There are some exceptions to this rule (for example, an auto accident can be filed in the County where the accident occurred). A plaintiff can file a case in small claims court if the plaintiff is at least eighteen years old, or an emancipated minor. If someone is under eighteen or not mentally competent, the judge can appoint a person (usually a relative) as a guardian ad litem to act on that person’s behalf throughout the case. A guardian ad litem is an adult appointed by the court to represent that person only for that case.

What types of cases are filed in Los Angeles County Small Claims Court?

A wide variety of cases can be filed in small claims court. Some common types of cases are automobile accidents, property damage incidents, homeowners association disputes, landlord tenant disputes (possible over security deposits), and contractor disputes.

Can I hire an attorney?

No. A party cannot be represented by anyone else (including an attorney). However, you are able to talk to an attorney before or after the small claims court trial to answer questions and discuss strategy.

How much time do I have to file my case?

All cases must be filed by a certain deadline called the statute of limitations. This is a legal term which simply means the deadline for which you must file your claim. The time limit varies depending on the type of the case. If you were hurt, you have two years from the date of the injury or the date the injury is discovered to file your claim. (A child has two years from the date of his or her eighteenth birthday to file a case). If the case involves an oral contract which was broken or breached, you have two years from the date of the breach to file your action. If the contract was written, you have three years from the date the contract was breached or broken to file the case. If you were the victim of fraud, you have three years from when you first learn of the fraud to file your case. It can be very difficult to determine when the statute of limitations begins to run (even for veteran attorneys). It is far better to file the case and let the judge decide, rather than filing too late and having it dismissed.

What is the most a person can sue for in Los Angeles County Small Claims Court?

A person cannot sue for more than $10,000 in a case. A corporation (or other corporate entity) cannot sue for more than $5,000. A party can only file two actions that are more than $2,500 in a year. A person or corporation can file as many cases seeking $2,500.00 or less.

8 thoughts on “Los Angeles County Small Claims Court, California”

  1. I have gone to two courthouses to try and file a small claims case. The last one I went to told me to go to the Chatsworth courthouse. The address is on this website as 9425 Penfield Ave., Valencia, CA 93155. Not only does this address not exist, but it’s listed for several of the courts.

    Reply
  2. Hi
    I just move a new residence and did not receive any court dates respondent name is Jannet Russell Compron court … Peoples court callef me and want this to be televised i need to know pls my court hearing dayes thank you . Marilou

    Reply
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  4. Hello,

    1. Do I submit a my claim online and if so, what is the address to use to submit the claim?

    2. I am an individual with an LLC. What is my claim limit amount?

    Thank You

    Reply
  5. Do I submit a my claim online and if so, what is the address to use to submit the claim?
    I am an individual with an LLC. What is my claim limit amount?

    Reply
  6. DEAR SIR,
    How can I change the my court dates or can I change the dates the court?
    My case number: 19STSC13479
    Thank you for your help, Kyung

    Reply
  7. HI: Your Small Claims office does not answer the phones. I want to file a case but I have questions, I want to know if I need to pay extra for copies and if I need to send you self-addressed envelopes for a return copy for each copy aside from the certified copy I wish to be mailed. I like getting things done the right way the first time.

    Reply
  8. when I mail in the SC 100 form to initiate an action can I request that the clerk make service by certified mail as opposed to a process server ?

    Reply

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