Bail/Bond Posting

• Can I write a personal check to post bail?
  No personal checks will be accepted to post bail. Instead of cash, it is strongly recommended that cashier's checks and money orders be used for posting a cash bail.



• What are the requirements for posting a corporate surety bond?
  In order for a corporate surety bond to be accepted, the issuing agent (employee of a local bonding company) must have authority to act on behalf of the the bond underwriting company (national insurance company). The authority is accomplished by means of a power of attorney.
  
  Powers of attorney (and therefore corporate surety bonds) are accepted only from underwriters who hold certificates of authority as acceptable sureties. The Fiscal Service of the Department of theTreasury publishes a list of the underwriters known as the Circular 570.
  
  A recent California state law (CA CIV PRO s § 995.630) modified the requirements for posting corporate surety bonds. The local issuing agent can attach a power of attorney to the bond, indicating the underwriting agency with which the issuing agent is licensed. The power of attorney must also indicate the issuing agent's underwriting limitation (dollar amount allowed per bond). There is no fee for filing such a bond.
  
  In the alternative, a local issuing agent can file an original power of attorney with the Clerk's Office, indicating the aforementioned information. The fee for such a filing is $20 per person (issuing agent) per company (underwriter). For example, if one (1) issuing agent is filing one (1) power of attorney for one (1) underwriter, the fee is $20. If three (3) issuing agents are filing one (1) power of attorney for one (1) underwriter, the fee is $60.



• Where may I post a cash bail?
  All cash bail transactions are handled at the Cashier's Window.

Cashier's Window

• Can I make payment to the court with a credit card?
  Yes, VISA and Mastercard are accepted.



• How do I get my property back from the court?
  Passports, vehicle "pink-slips", cash bail, real property (houses), and personal property (jewelry, etc) may be reconveyed only by a court order. You may obtain a sample order at the Cashier's Window, Room 420, 333 West Broadway, San Diego, CA. Additional answers may be obtained from the Collateral Property Clerk at 619/557-6366.



• What are the hours for the cashier's window?
  The cashiers' window is open to the public Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.



• Where can I obtain a fee schedule?
  The fee schedule can be viewed on-line. If you prefer, both the Cashier's Window and Intake Counter can provide a fee schedule in Room 420, 333 West Broadway, San Diego, CA.



• Where can I obtain the U.S. Treasury (T-Bill) rate?
  Post-judgment interest rates can be found at http://www.federalreserve.gov/releases/H15/Current.



• Where do I go to check the balance of my fine, restitution, or penalty assessment?
  The U.S. Attorney's Financial Collections Unit maintains the payment history of fines, restitution and penalty assessments made to this Court. Please call 619/557-5977 for specific details.



• Where do I pay my court ordered fines, restitution and penalty assessments?
  Payment may be mailed directly to:
  
  Office of the Clerk
  U.S. District Court
  Southern District of California
  Financial Department
  333 West Broadway, Room 420
  San Diego, CA 92101
  
  Customers may also pay in person at the Cashier's Window.



• Where do I pay my traffic fines or check on my traffic court date?
  For information on Federal Traffic Citations, payment, or court dates, please call the Center Violations Bureau at 1/800/827-2982.



• Where is the Cashier's Window located?
  The Cashier's windows is located in the lobby of Room 420, 333 West Broadway, San Diego, CA 92101-8900

Clerk's Office

• How can I learn more about issues applicable to attorneys, including Criminal Justice Act (CJA) issues?
  Visit our web page dedicated to questions frequently asked by attorneys.



• What are your hours?
  Filings are accepted 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The drop box is open from 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Documents dropped will be filed the same day.
  
  The file review department closes at 4:00 p.m.; however, files can be accessed electronically in the Clerk' s Office lobby until 4:30p.m. Dockets and images of filed documents are also available on-line for registered PACER users at CM/ECF PACER.



• What is your address?
  Office of the Clerk
  U.S. District Court
  Southern District of California
  333 West Broadway, Suite 420
  San Diego, CA 92101-8900



• What should I do if I need assistance in court due to a communications disability?
  If you are a party, witness or attorney and need a personal listening device, contact the courtroom deputy before your court hearing. If you need sign language interpreting or other aids, forms are available in the Clerk's Office and online within General Order 442-A. The form must be completed and returned to the Clerk's Office at least ten days prior to the hearing.

Interpreters

• Are there certification exams for languages other than Spanish?
  Yes, there are currently certification examinations for Navajo and Haitian Creole, in addition to Spanish.



• Do I need a specific degree in order to be a federal court interpreter?
  No specific degree is required to be an interpreter. However, since an extensive vocabulary encompassing all registers in two languages is essential, a four-year college degree or equivalent level of education is helpful in order to achieve success as an interpreter.



• How can I become certified as a court interpreter?
  By passing the certification examination administered nation wide by the National Center for State Courts and its partners, Cooperative Personnel Services and Second Language Testing. Visit the Federal Court Interpreter Certification Examination Program web site for more information. To get on the mailing list for test information, call 916/263-3494 or email at fcice-spanish@cps.ca.gov.



• How can I obtain an application for the exam?
  Contact the National Center for State Courts and its partners, Cooperative Personnel Services and Second Language Testing. Visit the Federal Court Interpreter Certification Examination Program web site for more information. To get on the mailing list for test information, call 916/263-3494 or email at fcice-spanish@cps.ca.gov.



• How often is the exam given?
  About every two years.



• Is there a fee for the exam?
  Yes, there are separate fees for the written and oral parts of the examination.



• What career opportunities are available to a certified interpreter?
  Once a person is certified as a federal court interpreter, he or she is authorized to work in any of the United States District Courts throughout the nation. These courts employ staff and per diem interpreters. Staff interpreter positions are not open on a regular basis, but the need for per diem interpreters has continued to increase over the years.



• What skills are needed to become an interpreter in the federal courts?
  Excellent bilingual skills and ability to combine them with superior interpreting skills in the simultaneous, consecutive and sight translation modes. An extensive vocabulary in both the source and target languages, including slang, everyday speech, and technical words used in formal or legal speech.

Procurement

• How long does it take to receive payment after goods or services are provided?
  The U.S. District Court is normally able to pay invoices within one week after receiving them. Payment will only be made after the goods or services have been received.



• What do you mean by inside delivery?
  We mean that the product must be delivered to a specific office within either the Federal Courthouse or the Federal Building. Deliveries are currently made to the Federal Building loading dock and inside delivery from the dock is required.



• Does the U.S. District Court have a tax exempt certificate number on file?
  The Franchise Tax Board does not issue tax exemption certificate numbers to federal agencies.



• Who do I call when I have not received payment within a reasonable amount of time?
  Contact the Procurement staff at either of the following numbers:
  
  Richard Virgallito - 619/557-7370
  Benjamin Limosnero - 619/557-7618



• What information will I need to trace a payment?
  You will need the purchase order number, the invoice number and the date of the invoice. You must have the purchase order number in order for us to trace the payment in our accounting system.



• What happens if a check has been issued but not received within a reasonable amount of time?
  The U.S. District Court will put a stop payment on the check. All stop payments on U.S. Treasury checks must go through the Department of Treasury. This process is long and cumbersome. Once a stop payment has been placed, the Clerk’s Office can not reissue a payment until we are notified by the Department of Treasury that the check has not be cashed. This process can take several months.



• How do I avoid having to request a stop payment on a check?
  Be sure that the purchase order we send you has the correct address. If the remit to address is different from the order address be sure that information is clearly noted on your invoice.



• What criteria does the U.S. District Court use to award solicitations?
  The criteria for the majority of the awards to vendors is the lowest price to the Federal Government. However, in some instances other performance factors may be used. If other criteria is used, it will be clearly stated in the statement of work or the request for quote.



• What sort of goods and services does the U.S. District Court require?
  The U.S. District Court procures facilities support items, supplies, equipment, furniture and professional services. Facilities support includes items such as sound system equipment and computer and telephone wiring. Supplies are your basic pens, pencils and paper and everything in between. Equipment includes items such as voice recording devices, TVs, VCRs, copiers and fax machines. Furniture includes various types and levels of executive, office and store room furniture. Professional services includes temporary help staff, interior designers, disability experts and other professionals.

---

While the information presented above is accurate as of the date of publication, it should not be cited or relied upon as legal authority. It does not take the place of the Federal Rules of Civil, Criminal or Appellate Procedure or the Local Rules of this court. It does not relieve litigants of the responsibility of complying with the court's Local Rules or Federal Rules of Procedure, or any other obligation imposed by the law.

It is highly recommended that legal advice be obtained from a attorney. For filing requirements, please refer to the Federal Rules of Civil and Criminal Procedure, as well as the Local Rules for the United States Court for the Southern District of California.