Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara Announces Suspension of Civil Assessments in Criminal and Traffic Matters 

SAN JOSÉ, California (June 15, 2026):  The Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara has issued a standing order suspending the imposition of Civil Assessments in specified criminal and traffic cases. 

Effective immediately, the order provides relief for certain individuals with delinquent criminal or traffic matters and establishes an indefinite suspension of Civil Assessments in criminal and traffic cases filed on or after June 1, 2026. The order was signed by Presiding Judge Julie Emede on June 15, 2026. 

Under the order: 

• The Court will not impose Civil Assessments in criminal cases where payments became delinquent between January 1, 2026, and May 31, 2026.Any Civil Assessments imposed during that time period will be commuted. 

• Civil Assessments will not be imposed in traffic cases that remain unadjudicated as of June 15, 2026. 

• Beginning June 1, 2026, the Court has indefinitely suspended the imposition of Civil Assessments in all criminal and traffic matters until further order of the Court. 

Individuals with questions regarding their case status, payment obligations, or eligibility under this order are encouraged to review their case information online or contact the appropriate court division. 

The Superior Court remains committed to improving access to justice and ensuring court processes are transparent, equitable, and responsive to the needs of the public. 

Review the order, here.