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Reno Justice Court - FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions: Reno Justice Court
Citations
  1. I`m supposed to appear at 8:15 a.m. on Wednesday, but I can`t make it until the afternoon session. Is that a problem?
  2. I just want to pay my fine, I don`t want to appear in court, but I can`t pay until a later date.
  3. I was cited for "no proof of insurance". I had insurance but it just wasn`t in the vehicle when I was stopped. Do I have to wait until my court date to show my proof of insurance?
  4. I was cited for more than one violation, e.g., speeding and "no proof of insurance" I had insurance but it just wasn`t in the vehicle when I was stopped. Do I have to wait until my court date to show my proof of insurance?
  5. My citation is for "no driver`s license in possession" I have a valid driver`s license but I didn`t have it with me when I was stopped. Do I have to wait until my court date to show my valid driver`s license?
  6. I live in California and have traffic court this afternoon, however the roads are closed due to a snowstorm. Can I get a continuance on my court date?
    7. Continuances may be granted depending upon individual circumstances, however, you will need to contact the court to make arrangements. DO NOT ASSUME THE COURT IS CLOSED DUE TO WEATHER CONDITIONS. Most citations are issued approximately 4 weeks before the court date which is sufficient time to make arrangements to be present in court on your scheduled court date. If you wish to just pay your fine, you have a 15 day grace period from your court date to pay the fine in full without appearing before a Judge.
  7. What if I plead "not guilty"?
  8. What if I disagree with the decision that the Judge makes in my case after trial?
  9. I was cited for no proof of insurance how do I get the citation dismissed?
Civil Actions
  1. I received a Summons and Complaint. How do I know how long I have to file an answer/response?
  2. Is there a fee to file an answer/response?
  3. There is no trial date on my Summons. When do I need to appear?
  4. Do I have to have an attorney?
  5. There are other defendants named in the Complaint. Can I answer for all of us?
  6. What if I disagree with the decision that the Judge makes in my case?
Criminal - Agenda
  1. I have been arraigned and my trial/preliminary examination is set. What do I do now?
  2. How early before my trial/preliminary examination should I appear?
Criminal - Arraignments
  1. What days and time are criminal arraignments held and how early should I be at the court before the arraignment?
  2. I was told I have to be arraigned. What does that mean?
  3. I can`t afford an attorney, what do I do?
  4. I can`t come to my arraignment on the date given to me when I was released from jail. Can I come another time?
  5. I already have an attorney. Do I have to appear for my arraignment?
Criminal - Partial Payments
  1. I can`t make my next payment or complete my community service on time. What do I do?
  2. It is snowing and I can`t get to the courthouse. Do I have to pay every payment at the Court in person?
  3. I just moved, do I need to notify the Court?
  4. Can someone else make a payment for me?
  5. I was sentenced to do Community Service. Where can I do this?
  6. I don`t live in the Reno/Sparks area and I was sentenced to do Community Service. How can I do this in my hometown?
  7. I didn`t make my payment or complete my community service and a bench warrant has issued for my arrest. What should I do now?
Criminal - Stalking Harassment
  1. What exactly does "Stalking and Harassment" mean?
  2. What do you mean by "non-family" member?
  3. My situation involves a "family" member. Who can help me with this type of problem?
  4. A person has been "stalking and harassing" me. What do I do now?
  5. I completed the paperwork for a Stalking and Harassment Petition. What happens next?
  6. I have an order (either temporary or extended) and the respondent has violated it. What do I do?
Evictions - Landlord
  1. Where do I get the form for an eviction notice for nonpayment of rent?
  2. Can I serve an eviction notice myself?
  3. Can a family member, such as my spouse, be the witness?
  4. Do I have to have my signature notarized on the service paper?
  5. Can I reproduce the eviction forms at home or prepare them on my computer?
  6. If I have a process server file and serve my eviction, can that person come to the court hearing if there is one?
  7. Can I post and mail my eviction by Certificate of Mailing?
  8. How do I get a lockout order?
  9. What if the tenant leaves personal property after vacating?
  10. Do I have a judgment when an eviction results in a lockout order?
  11. Does it really only take 30 days to get someone evicted on a 30 day notice?
  12. What if the tenant wants to pay the rent after I have had a lockout order issued?
Evictions - Tenant
  1. How do I contest an eviction?
  2. What do I do if I`ve been served with a lockout order but never got served with the eviction notice?
  3. What if I don`t agree with the judge or the landlord about the results of the eviction hearing and I think what happened is unfair?
  4. What if I file bankruptcy? Will it stop the eviction process?
  5. Can I be served with more than one eviction notice?
Justice of the Peace
  1. Is it possible to speak privately with the judge about my case?
  2. Who determines which Justice of the Peace will hear my case?
  3. I have filed several cases in the Civil Department and I would like to have the same judge hear all of them at the same time. Is that possible?
  4. Why did the judge to whom my case was assigned recuse himself/herself?
  5. I have a legal question regarding my case. Can the judge give me legal advice on my case?
  6. I want my marriage ceremony to be performed by a Justice of the Peace. Is that possible?
  7. How much will I have to pay if I plead guilty or I am found guilty of a misdemeanor offense in Reno Justice Court?
Small Claims
  1. Do I have to answer the Small Claims Affidavit and Order?
  2. What if I want to file a claim against the plaintiff or a third-party?
  3. I know I owe the money. Can I just pay the plaintiff?
  4. I know I owe the money, but I can`t pay it all at one time. What can I do?
  5. What if I have paperwork to show to the judge to defend or prove my case?
  6. If the plaintiff has sued the wrong person and another person is involved, what should I do?
  7. What if I don`t agree with the judge`s decision in my Small Claims case?
  8. What should I do if I want to sue somebody for more than $5,000.00 (more than the Small Claims limit)?
  9. What happens if the defendant files for bankruptcy before we go to Court?
  10. Can I start attaching the defendant`s wages in Reno if I have a Small Claims judgment from a different state?
  11. What do I do if I filed my Small Claim in the wrong court?
  12. How do I get a judgment removed from my credit report?
  13. How do I collect on my judgment?
  14. Do I get a copy of the judgment after court?
  15. What do I do if I sued for the wrong amount or sued the wrong person?
  16. What do I do if I could not have the defendant served?
  17. I was mailed a continuance letter, but it went to my old address and I missed my court date. What do I do now?
  18. I can`t come to the Small Claims hearing on the date set. How do I postpone it?
  19. Can I have a Small Claim served by Certified Mail if I only have a Post Office Box?
  20. Can I file a Small Claim for damages, pain and suffering or punitive damages?
  21. If my server cannot serve the defendant, how do I find out his address?
  22. How long do I have to file a Small Claim after the incident occurred?
  23. Can an attorney represent me in Small Claims Court?
  24. What if I disagree with the decision that the judge makes in my case?

 

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