{"id":371898,"date":"2016-03-31T21:34:30","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:34:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/california-law\/san-francisco-courthouses.html"},"modified":"2016-06-20T19:48:26","modified_gmt":"2016-06-21T00:48:26","slug":"san-francisco-courthouses","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/california-law\/san-francisco-courthouses.html","title":{"rendered":"San Francisco Courthouses"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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San Francisco Courthouses<\/h1>\n
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Created by FindLaw’s team<\/a> of legal writers and editors<\/i><\/p>\n\n | Last updated\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

San Francisco has both state and federal courts of different levels. This guide will help resolve the confusion. Individuals are much more likely to interact with the state courts, so this guide will discuss these courts first.<\/p>\n

State Courts<\/u><\/p>\n

The City\u2019s state courts can be trial courts or appellate courts. The state trial courts are within the San Francisco Superior Court system which features four main courthouses. Additionally, the Superior Court\u2019s work is divided into several divisions. Visit the court online for more information on Superior Court divisions<\/a>.  <\/p>\n

SF has two levels of state Courts of Appeal: (1) 1st District Court of Appeal, and (2) Supreme Court of California. You can find both of these appellate courts in the same building at 350 McAllister St. See below for more courthouse information. <\/p>\n

Do not confuse the state Courts of Appeal with the SF Superior Court Appellate Division<\/a>. The Appellate Division only handles appeals for relatively minor state court cases. If you have any questions, call the Appellate Division at (415) 551-3956.<\/p>\n

Federal Courts<\/u><\/p>\n

Federal Courts in SF may also be trial courts or appellate courts. The trial courts mostly operate in the federal building on Golden Gate. There is only one level of federal appellate court in SF, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, and it operates on Seventh Street.<\/p>\n

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SF Superior Court<\/h2>\n \n \n \n \n
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    \n \n Civic Center Courthouse\n <\/a>\n <\/h3>\n \n \n

    400 McAllister Street<\/p>\n \n

    \n San Francisco,<\/span>\n CA<\/span>\n 94102<\/span>\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n

    \n Tel: (415) 551-4000\n \n \n <\/p>\n

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    Public Transit Station: Civic Center<\/p>\n

    Directions: The court provides directions to the Civic Center Courthouse<\/a>.<\/p>\n

    Notes: Many of the court’s visitors purchase breakfast and\/or lunch from the Mint Caf\u00e9<\/a>, located in the basement. Seating is somewhat limited, and the caf\u00e9 only accepts cash. This courthouse serves as home to most Civil, Small Claims, and Probate Division operations.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n \n \n \n \n \n <\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/li>\n

  • \n

    \n Hall of Justice\n <\/h3>\n \n \n

    Hall of Justice<\/p>\n \n

    \n San Francisco,<\/span>\n CA<\/span>\n 94103<\/span>\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n

    \n Tel: (415) 551-0322\n \n \n <\/p>\n

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    Public Transit Station: None<\/p>\n

    Directions: The court provides directions here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

    Notes: Visitors complain of long lines to enter the court facility, so arrive early. The Hall of Justice is home to the San Francisco Superior Court\u2019s Criminal Division, and most criminal matters are processed here. To find more information about criminal division operations and contact information you can visit the Criminal Division online<\/a>. Hall of Justice also serves as home to the Traffic Division<\/a> and Traffic Night Court.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n \n \n \n \n \n <\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/li>\n

  • \n

    \n Polk Street Annex\n <\/h3>\n \n \n

    575 Polk Street<\/p>\n \n

    \n San Francisco,<\/span>\n CA<\/span>\n 94102<\/span>\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n

    \n Tel: (415) 551-3834\n \n \n <\/p>\n

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    Public Transit Station: Civic Center<\/p>\n

    Directions: The court provides directions here<\/a>. <\/p>\n

    Notes: This is a smaller facility with only one restroom serving the public and no on-site cafeteria. Also, do not leave your car parked on the street for long because there have been reports of vandalism and theft. The Annex is located in the Tenderloin neighborhood. Some taxi drivers have an unofficial no-pickup policy in the Tenderloin, so you may have to walk back towards the Civic Center to hail a cab.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n \n \n \n \n \n <\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/li>\n

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    \n \n Youth Guidance Center\n <\/a>\n <\/h3>\n \n \n

    375 Woodside Avenue<\/p>\n \n

    \n San Francisco,<\/span>\n CA<\/span>\n 94127<\/span>\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n

    \n \n \n <\/p>\n

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    Public Transit Stations: Forrest Hill Muni Station and Glen Park BART Station<\/p>\n

    Directions: The court provides directions here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

    Notes: This facility handles juvenile justice matters. YGC also serves some Traffic Division Functions.  <\/p>\n

    Closures<\/h3>\n

    Check online for the Superior Court’s 2013 and 2014 Court Holiday Schedules<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n \n \n \n \n \n <\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n

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    California Courts of Appeal<\/h2>\n \n \n \n \n
  • \n

    \n Earl Warren Building at Civic Center Plaza\n <\/h3>\n \n \n

    350 McAllister Street<\/p>\n \n

    \n San Francisco,<\/span>\n CA<\/span>\n 94102<\/span>\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n

    \n Tel: (415) 865-7300\n \n \n <\/p>\n

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    Public Transit Station: Civic Center<\/p>\n

    Notes: This building houses both the 1st District Court of Appeal<\/a> and the Supreme Court of California<\/a><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n \n \n \n \n \n <\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n

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    United States Federal Courts<\/h2>\n \n \n \n \n
  • \n

    \n Phillip Burton Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse\n <\/h3>\n \n \n

    450 Golden Gate Avenue<\/p>\n \n

    \n San Francisco,<\/span>\n CA<\/span>\n 94102<\/span>\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n

    \n Tel: (415) 522-2171\n \n \n <\/p>\n

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    Public Transit Station: Civic Center<\/p>\n

    Notes: Unlike with Superior Courts, visitors must have photo identification.  The Jury office is on the 19th floor. The court posts answers to Jury Frequently Asked Questions<\/a>. The court maintains resources to help individuals represent themselves as pro se litigants<\/i>. The court offers the Pro Se Handbook<\/i>, guides for E-Filing, and other materials. You can view the pro se materials online<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n \n \n \n \n \n <\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/li>\n

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    \n James R. Browning U.S. Courthouse\n <\/h3>\n \n \n

    95 Seventh Street<\/p>\n \n

    \n San Francisco,<\/span>\n CA<\/span>\n 94103<\/span>\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n

    \n Tel: (415) 355-8000\n \n \n <\/p>\n

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    Public Transit Station: Civic Center<\/p>\n

    Note: Wi-Fi is only available in the Caf\u00e9, which closes at 2:00P.M. Photo ID required. <\/p>\n

    The 9th Circuit generally allows electronic devices, but visitors may not record audio or video, or take photos.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n \n \n \n \n \n <\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n

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