The clerk also can give you information sheets that explain how to fill out the necessary small claims court forms. To sue or to be sued in small claims court, a person must be at least 18 years old and mentally competent. U.S. citizenship is not required. Because of the large workloads in courts today, temporary judges can help to provide speedy resolution of minor cases, including small claims matters. A temporary judge, sometimes called a Judge Pro Tem, may be appointed by the court to handle such cases if both parties in the dispute agree to allow a temporary judge to hear the matter.
Temporary judges are attorneys who are members of the State Bar of California.
Sorry, we're unable to assist non-members.