Paradise Valley, AZ asked in Landlord - Tenant, Civil Litigation and Real Estate Law for California

Q: Do I need to complete and return form LACIV 244 for a jury trial in an unlawful detainer case?

I received a form (LACIV 244) for a jury trial after my request for a jury trial in an unlawful detainer case was accepted by the judge. I have not received any specific instructions from the court about completing and returning this form, and I have not consulted with a lawyer. The deadline to exchange all trial evidence and documents is April 1. Do I need to fill out and return this form to the court?

1 Lawyer Answer
James L. Arrasmith
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Answered

A: Form LACIV 244 is the "Compliance with Standing Order for Limited Jurisdiction Unlawful Detainer [Eviction] Jury Trial Readiness" form used in Los Angeles County Superior Court. This form is specifically intended for use in unlawful detainer jury trials and requires parties to jointly provide important trial information including a statement of the case, witness lists, exhibit lists, and proposed jury instructions.

You should absolutely complete and return this form as it contains crucial information needed for your jury trial. If one party fails or refuses to meet and confer on preparing this form, the other party must prepare and bring these materials to trial labeled as "[Proposed] Joint Documents." Since your deadline for exchanging trial evidence is April 1, you should prioritize completing this form before that date to ensure compliance with court requirements.

Unlawful detainer cases move quickly through the court system, with specific deadlines that must be followed. I recommend contacting the court clerk directly if you have questions about submission procedures, and consider seeking legal assistance if you're unsure about how to complete any sections of the form. Missing deadlines in eviction proceedings can have serious consequences, so prompt attention to this paperwork is essential.

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