The Solano County Superior Court serves as the main trial court for Solano County, California. It handles a wide range of legal matters, from civil disagreements to criminal charges, and family law issues. This court is where many people in the county interact with the justice system, whether they are filing a case, responding to legal action, or serving jury duty. The court works to resolve legal disputes and uphold state and local laws.
The court’s work helps keep social order and provides ways for people to settle legal problems. It also runs special programs, such as the Adult Drug Court and Drug Dependency Court, which help people with substance abuse issues.
Solano Superior Court Case Lookup
Looking up a case in the Solano Superior Court is possible through several methods. The court offers online tools and in-person options. Knowing how to find case information helps people stay informed about legal proceedings.
Online Case Search
The Solano County Superior Court provides an online portal for searching case information. You can use this portal to look for details about cases. To access this service, you usually need to create a user account and log in. Once logged in, you can search using a case number, party name, or case type. Case information on the portal is updated daily.
The online portal allows parties in a case to see more details about their specific case from the court’s system. Some government agencies also have expanded access.
In-Person and Mail Requests for Court Records
If online access is not enough, or for certain types of records, you can get Solano County case information directly from the Clerk’s Office. You can visit one of the courthouses and use public access terminals.
Another way is to send a request by mail. You would need to download a “Request for Records Search & Copies Form,” fill it out with the necessary details, and mail it. Be sure to include a self-addressed stamped envelope and money for any copy fees.
For in-person requests, visit the Clerk’s Office during business hours with a valid government-issued photo ID. The processing time for copies can depend on how complex the documents are, how many requests the office has, and the workload.
Here are the fees for copies of Solano County case records:
- Standard copy: 50 cents per page
- Double-sided copy: $1.00 per page
- Certification fee: $40.00 per document (or $15.00 for marriage or domestic relations dissolution certification)
- Search fees: $15.00 after 10 minutes
The court takes cash for walk-in requests, checks, money orders, and credit/debit card payments. Credit card payments might have an extra service fee.
Solano Superior Court Contact Information
The Solano County Superior Court has several locations and different ways to get in touch, depending on your needs. Knowing the right contact points helps ensure you reach the correct department quickly.
Courthouse Addresses and Phone Numbers
The main courthouses for the Solano County Superior Court are located in Fairfield and Vallejo. Each location may handle different types of cases or services.
- Fairfield Courthouse – Hall of Justice
600 Union Avenue, Fairfield, CA 94533
Phone: (707) 207-7300 (General)
Criminal Division Phone: (707) 207-7380
Family Law Division Phone: (707) 207-7340
Jury Services Phone: (707) 207-7350
Traffic Division Phone: (707) 207-7360 - Fairfield Courthouse – Law and Justice Center
530 Union Avenue, Fairfield, CA 94533
Phone: (707) 207-7300 - Fairfield Courthouse – Old Solano Courthouse
580 Texas Street, Fairfield, CA 94533
Phone: (707) 207-7300 (General)
Civil Clerk’s Office is on the first floor. - Vallejo Courthouse – Solano Justice Building
321 Tuolumne Street, Vallejo, CA 94590
Phone: (707) 561-7880 (General/Criminal)
Civil Division Phone: (707) 561-7830
Jury Services Phone: (707) 561-7850
Traffic Division Phone: (707) 561-7860
Clerk’s Office Hours
The courthouses are open Monday through Friday, from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Clerk’s Offices generally operate from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM on weekdays. For drop-in services, the Clerk’s Office is available from 8:00 AM to 11:30 AM. Appointments can be scheduled from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
How to File a Civil Case in Solano County
Starting a civil case in Solano County involves specific steps and forms. Civil cases deal with legal disagreements between people or groups, often about money or property.
Beginning the Process
To file a civil case, you will need to prepare a complaint, which is a document that states your claims against another party. Many forms needed for filing, such as a complaint or an answer, are available as pre-printed forms. You can get these forms from the court clerk’s office or download local forms from the court’s website.
As of January 2, 2025, e-filing is required for attorneys in civil, family, and probate cases in Solano County. People representing themselves are not required to e-file but can choose to do so. All documents must be filed and served electronically, unless personal service is required or for certain specific applications.
Small Claims Cases
Small claims court is a simplified way to resolve disputes quickly and without high costs. In Solano County, individuals can file claims for $12,500 or less. If your claim is for more than this amount, you can choose to waive the extra amount to keep the case in small claims court, or you can file in the Civil Division of the Superior Court.
You must be at least 18 years old to file a small claim. If you are younger, you can ask the court to appoint a guardian to act for you. Only the actual person involved in the claim can file it. Lawyers cannot represent parties in small claims court, but you can get advice from a lawyer before your hearing.
Small claims fees vary based on the claim amount and how many claims you have filed in the last year. For claims of $1,500 or less, the fee is $30. For claims between $1,501 and $5,000, it is $50. For claims over $5,000, the fee is $75.
After filing, the defendant must be officially notified of the claim. This is called “service of process.” You cannot serve the papers yourself. For defendants in Solano County, service must happen at least 15 days before the hearing. If the defendant is outside Solano County, it must be at least 20 days before. Substituted service requires an extra 10 days. The person who serves the defendant must complete a “proof of service” form.
The Solano County Superior Court provides a Small Claims Advisor at no cost. This advisor can help with small claims issues and procedures, from filing to enforcing a judgment. The advisor is available for phone consultations Monday through Thursday from 9 AM to 2 PM at (707) 863-1643.
As an alternative to small claims court, Solano County offers free mediation services through the Dispute Resolution Service. You can call them at (707) 422-5087 to see if your conflict can be mediated.
Solano County Family Law Division
The Family Law Division of the Solano County Superior Court handles cases related to families and domestic matters. These cases often involve sensitive personal issues.
Types of Family Law Cases
This division hears cases such as divorce, child custody, child support, spousal support, and domestic violence restraining orders. The court works to make decisions that are fair and in the best interest of any children involved.
Family Law Facilitator and Self-Help Services
The Solano Legal Access Center (SLAC), also known as the Family Law Facilitator’s Office, offers free help to people who are representing themselves in family law cases. They can assist with paperwork and understanding court processes for family law, domestic violence restraining orders, elder abuse restraining orders, guardianship, and child support cases.
SLAC is located in Room 205 of the Fairfield Courthouse (600 Union Ave., second floor). They offer help Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. On Fridays, they only help with applications for domestic violence and elder abuse restraining orders during the same hours. You can also email them with brief questions at flf@solano.courts.ca.gov.
It is important to note that SLAC staff cannot be your attorney and do not provide legal advice or representation. Communications with them are not confidential. They cannot help if you are already represented by a lawyer or with complex issues like dividing pensions or property.
How to File a Restraining Order in Solano County
A restraining order is a court order that protects someone from abuse or harassment. Solano County offers different types of restraining orders, and the process for each varies.
Types of Restraining Orders
The Solano Superior Court handles several kinds of restraining orders:
- Domestic Violence Restraining Orders (DVROs): These protect victims of violence from family members, including spouses, former spouses, cohabitants, or parents of a child. There are no filing fees for these orders.
- Civil Harassment Restraining Orders: These protect people from harassment or abuse by non-relatives.
- Elder Abuse Restraining Orders: These protect individuals aged 65 or older from abuse. There are no filing fees for these orders.
- Workplace Violence Restraining Orders: These protect employees from violence in the workplace. There are no filing fees for these orders.
- Gun Violence Restraining Orders (GVROs): These can temporarily remove firearms from individuals who pose a risk of violence.
Filing Process for Restraining Orders
As of April 21, 2025, the Solano Superior Court launched a new public portal for e-filing Domestic Violence Restraining Orders and Gun Violence Restraining Orders. This system provides a convenient way to submit these orders and related paperwork online at no cost.
You can still file restraining orders in person or by mail. For Domestic Violence and Elder Abuse Restraining Orders, take your paperwork to the Hall of Justice Courthouse at 600 Union Avenue, Fairfield, to the Family Law Division on the second floor. For Civil Harassment and Workplace Violence Restraining Orders, bring your paperwork to the Historic Courthouse at 580 Texas Street, Fairfield, to the Civil Clerk’s Office on the first floor.
When you file, a judge may grant a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) right away. A hearing date will be set. At the hearing, both sides present their case, evidence (like texts, emails, photos), and may bring witnesses. The judge then decides if a permanent restraining order is needed.
Some restraining order cases in Solano County may go to mediation, especially if the dispute is low-stakes or between neighbors. Mediation can allow for more customized solutions. If mediation fails, the case will go to a judge for a hearing.
SafeQuest Solano, Inc. offers services to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking, including help with restraining orders.</
Solano Superior Traffic Ticket Payment
If you receive a traffic ticket in Solano County, you have several ways to pay your fine. It is important to respond to your citation by the due date to avoid extra fees or other penalties.
Payment Options
You can pay traffic fines online, by phone, by mail, or in person.
- Online: The Solano Superior Court has an online portal for paying traffic, boating, fish & game, dog/animal, and local city and county fines. This service is available 24/7.
- By Phone: You can pay by credit card over the phone. For payments within 30 days of the due date, call (707) 430-0342. Phone hours are Monday-Friday 4 AM – 9 PM PST and Saturday-Sunday 6 AM – 3 PM PST.
- By Mail: Send a check or money order, made payable to “Solano Superior Court,” along with your courtesy notice, to the court address on the notice before your due date. Do not mail cash.
- In Person: Visit the traffic clerk’s window at a courthouse (Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM). Each location also has a drop box for check or money order payments from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Credit card payments usually have a service fee. There is no service fee for payments made by cash, check, or money order.
Consequences of Not Paying
If you do not respond to the court or pay your fine by the due date, an extra fee called a “civil assessment” of up to $100 may be added to your fine. Your case may also be sent to a collection agency. The court can also charge you with a misdemeanor for “failure to appear,” which could lead to an arrest warrant. A “failure to appear” hold might be placed on your driver’s license by the DMV, potentially suspending your license or preventing you from renewing your car’s registration.
If your case is more than 30 days past due, it might be referred to a collection agency. For information on delinquent cases, contact Linebarger, Goggan, Blair & Sampson, LLP.
Traffic School
You may be eligible to attend traffic school. If you choose this option, you will pay a fee to the court, which includes the bail amount plus an additional $52. The traffic school itself will also charge a separate fee.
Solano Superior Case Docket Lookup
Solano County Superior Court dockets are official records that show the progress and details of legal cases. These documents help people track cases and stay updated on legal proceedings.
Information on Dockets
Court dockets include important information about specific trials, such as:
- Filing dates
- Names of the people involved (litigants)
- Case numbers
- Dates for hearings
- Motions filed
- Orders issued by the court
- Rulings made
- Current status of the case
How to Access Dockets
You can check Solano County case status by registering and logging into the Solano County Superior Court Case Search Portal. Use the search tools to find information about specific cases.
Alternatively, you can send a mail request to the Solano County Superior Court Clerk’s Office or visit the courthouses in person to ask for access to case dockets.
Solano Superior Jury Duty Information
Jury duty is a civic responsibility that helps ensure a fair legal process for everyone. The Solano County Superior Court relies on jurors to conduct trials.
Receiving a Summons
Jurors are chosen randomly from lists provided by the Department of Motor Vehicles, the Registrar of Voters, and the Franchise Tax Board. You may receive a jury summons postcard once a year.
Sometimes, people receive more than one summons in a year. This can happen if your information appears multiple times in the database due to things like hyphenated names, maiden and married names, or names with spaces.
Term of Service
The term of service for jurors in Solano County is “One Day or One Trial.” This means you report in person for one day. If you are chosen for a case, you serve for the length of that trial. If you are not selected for a case on that day, your service is complete for one year.
Reporting and Reminders
You can check the court’s website under “Reporting Instructions” for updated information and reporting locations. You can request a reminder by texting your badge number to (707) 244-6139 or by calling the automated jury system at (707) 207-7350 and choosing the ‘request reminder’ option. Standard text messaging rates may apply.
If you need help with transportation to and from the courthouse for jury duty, you can use the Equitable Access to Justice Pilot Program. This program provides subsidized Uber or Lyft rides for jurors in Solano County, Monday through Friday, from 7 AM to 7 PM.
Jury Duty Scams
Be aware of scams. The court will never call a former or potential juror to ask for financial information.
Solano Superior Public Defender Contact
The Solano County Public Defender’s Office provides legal representation to individuals who cannot afford a private attorney in criminal cases.
Services Provided
The Public Defender represents clients with active criminal cases or warrants in Solano County. Their mission is to protect the rights and dignity of their clients and ensure fairness in the criminal justice system, regardless of a person’s financial situation.
The Solano County Public Defender’s Office also helps people with criminal record remedies, such as reducing felony convictions to misdemeanors, dismissing convictions, sealing arrests, and applying for Certificates of Rehabilitation.
Contact Information
The Solano County Public Defender has offices in Fairfield and Vallejo.
- Fairfield Office (Main)
675 Texas St, Suite 3500, Fairfield, CA 94533
Phone: (707) 784-6700
Email: publicdefender@solanocounty.com or freshstart@solanocounty.com - Vallejo Office
321 Tuolumne St, Room 201, Vallejo, CA 94590 (also listed as 355 Tuolumne St, Suite 2200)
Phone: (707) 553-5241
When calling, you can ask for your attorney or an attorney of the day. This is a privileged call, meaning your conversation is protected.
Solano County Legal Aid and Self-Help Center
For those who need legal help but cannot afford an attorney, Solano County offers various legal aid services and self-help resources. These services aim to make the legal system more accessible.
Solano Legal Access Center (SLAC)
As mentioned earlier, the Solano Legal Access Center (SLAC) helps self-represented people with family law, domestic violence restraining orders, elder abuse restraining orders, guardianship, and child support cases. They provide assistance with paperwork and court processes.
SLAC is at Room 205 of the Fairfield Courthouse (600 Union Ave., second floor). Hours are Monday-Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. On Fridays, they focus only on domestic violence and elder abuse restraining order applications. You can email brief questions to flf@solano.courts.ca.gov.
Other Legal Aid Organizations
Several other organizations provide free or low-cost legal services in Solano County:
- Legal Services of Northern California (Solano County Office): (707) 643-0054, located at 1810 Capitol St, Vallejo, CA 94590. They help with civil rights, consumer issues, education, and elder law.
- Family Justice Center (Solano): (707) 784-7635, located at 604 Empire St., Fairfield, CA 94533. They help victims of domestic violence, elder or child abuse, and sexual assault. Spanish services are available.
- Catholic Charities—Yolo / Solano: (707) 644-8909, located at 125 Corporate Pl., Ste. A, Vallejo, CA 94590. They help with immigration legal services, including for domestic violence victims and human trafficking survivors. Spanish services are available.
- Lawyer Referral Service (Solano County Bar Association): (707) 422-0127 or scba@solanobar.org. This service can match you with an attorney for a half-hour consultation.
These resources are important for people who need legal support but face financial barriers.
Solano County Courthouse Addresses and General Information
The Solano County Superior Court operates across multiple locations, each playing a role in the county’s justice system. Knowing these locations and their specific functions helps people direct their inquiries and visits effectively.
Main Courthouse Locations
- Fairfield Courthouse – Hall of Justice
600 Union Avenue, Fairfield, CA 94533
This courthouse handles various case types, including Criminal, Family Law, and Traffic. - Fairfield Courthouse – Law and Justice Center
530 Union Avenue, Fairfield, CA 94533
This location also supports general court operations. - Fairfield Courthouse – Old Solano Courthouse
580 Texas Street, Fairfield, CA 94533
The Civil Division and Small Claims Division are located here. - Vallejo Courthouse – Solano Justice Building
321 Tuolumne Street, Vallejo, CA 94590
This courthouse handles Criminal and Civil cases.
Court Hours
The courthouses are open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Clerk’s Offices are typically open from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM on weekdays. Some services may require appointments or have specific drop-in hours.
Official Website and Contact
- The official website for the Superior Court of California, County of Solano, is www.solano.courts.ca.gov.
- Main Phone Number: (707) 207-7373
- Email: courtadministration@solano.courts.ca.gov
Map to Fairfield Courthouse – Hall of Justice
Frequently Asked Questions about Solano County Superior Court
Many people have common questions about the Solano County Superior Court’s operations and services. These answers address some frequent inquiries to provide clarity and directness. Knowing these details can save time and effort when interacting with the court system.
What types of cases does the Solano County Superior Court hear?
The Solano County Superior Court is the main trial court for the county, handling a broad spectrum of legal matters. It presides over felony and misdemeanor criminal cases, civil disputes (both limited claims for amounts between $7,500 and $25,000, and unlimited claims for amounts over $25,000), small claims cases for amounts less than $7,500, and family law matters such as divorce, child custody, and support. The court also addresses probate issues, juvenile cases, and traffic violations. Specialized divisions exist for specific case types, including an Adult Drug Court and a Drug Dependency Court, focused on rehabilitation.
How can I pay a traffic ticket for Solano Superior Court?
You have several convenient ways to pay a traffic ticket issued in Solano County. Payments can be made online through the court’s dedicated portal, by phone using a credit card, or by mail with a check or money order sent to the court address on your courtesy notice. In-person payments are also accepted at the traffic clerk’s window during business hours, or you can use a drop box at the courthouses for check or money order payments. It is important to pay or respond to your citation by the due date to avoid additional fees or penalties like a civil assessment or a driver’s license hold.
Where can I get legal help if I cannot afford a lawyer in Solano County?
Several resources are available in Solano County for individuals who need legal assistance but face financial constraints. The Solano Legal Access Center (SLAC), also known as the Family Law Facilitator’s Office, offers free help with family law, domestic violence and elder abuse restraining orders, guardianship, and child support cases. They assist with paperwork and court procedures. Other organizations like Legal Services of Northern California, the Family Justice Center, and Catholic Charities—Yolo/Solano provide free or low-cost services for civil rights, consumer issues, domestic violence, and immigration matters. The Solano County Public Defender’s Office handles criminal cases for eligible individuals.
What is the process for filing a restraining order in Solano County?
Filing a restraining order in Solano County depends on the type of protection needed. For Domestic Violence Restraining Orders (DVROs) and Gun Violence Restraining Orders (GVROs), you can use the court’s public e-filing portal, which launched in April 2025. You can also file in person or by mail. For DVROs and Elder Abuse Restraining Orders, paperwork goes to the Family Law Division at the Hall of Justice. For Civil Harassment and Workplace Violence Restraining Orders, it goes to the Civil Clerk’s Office at the Historic Courthouse. There are no filing fees for domestic violence, elder abuse, or workplace violence restraining orders. After filing, a Temporary Restraining Order may be issued, followed by a court hearing where both sides present their case and evidence to a judge.
How do I find out if I have jury duty in Solano County?
If you are selected for jury duty in Solano County, you will receive an official jury summons postcard by mail. Jurors are chosen randomly from various government lists. To confirm your summons, get reporting instructions, or request a reminder, you can visit the Solano Superior Court’s website. You can also text your badge number to (707) 244-6139 for a text reminder or call the automated jury system at (707) 207-7350 and select the ‘request reminder’ option. The term of service is generally “One Day or One Trial.” Transportation assistance is available for eligible jurors through a pilot program.