As in all legal proceedings, you may wish to consult with an attorney before bringing an action. Although it is not required that you hire an attorney before taking legal action, it is highly advisable to consult with one knowledgeable in the field of law involved in your case. An experienced attorney may be able to quickly assess your situation, advise you about important legal rights, and recommend the best course of action for you to take to protect your interests.

Attorneys are listed in the phone book. You should talk with friends or relatives for a possible referral. For a small fee you can schedule a thirty minute consultation with a private attorney by calling the Ventura County Bar Association’s Lawyer Referral Service at (805) 650-7599. Limited pro bono services may also be available if you are indigent. You can ask about pro bono services through the Lawyer Referral Service. The Ventura Courts also have a list of Low Cost and Free Legal Services in a brochure available at the courthouses.

The Superior Court has jurisdiction over all types of cases in Ventura County, including those within the jurisdiction of the former municipal court. The jurisdiction of the former municipal court involves claims for money that do not exceed $25,000, these are known as, limited civil cases. The court also has jurisdiction over claims for money greater than $25,000. Superior Court may also be the only court with jurisdiction to resolve disputed claims regarding property ownership, called quiet title actions, or claims for an injunction to either prohibit or require a certain course of conduct. If you are unsure which court to file in, you can consult books in the law library on the subject of jurisdiction, or you can inquire in the Self-help Legal Access Center.

You should also determine whether Ventura Superior Court is the proper place for filing your claim. Filing in the proper place is called venue. Most civil claims must be filed in the county where a defendant resides or conducts business, where the claim arose, or where the contract was to be performed. Claims involving real estate are generally brought in the county where the property is located. Ventura has two courts, one located in Ventura and the other in Simi Valley. The zip code where the incident occurred, property is located, or defendant resides will usually indicate which court is the proper court for hearing the claim. Even if the case is assigned to one Ventura County court, court papers can be filed in either branch court.

Filing and responding to complaints
Discovery
Settlement options
Trial