You’ve been checking the LASC portal every twenty minutes. Your hearing is tomorrow morning at 8:30 AM, and your nerves are basically shot. You’re looking for that one specific thing: the Los Angeles Superior Court tentative ruling.
Honestly, the wait is the worst part. But here’s the thing—understanding how these rulings work in LA is a bit like learning a secret language. If you don't know the rules, you might show up to court for no reason, or worse, miss your chance to fight a ruling you hate.
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What Exactly Is a Tentative Ruling?
Basically, a tentative ruling is the judge’s "first draft" of a decision. In the Los Angeles Superior Court, judges get a pile of paperwork (motions, oppositions, replies) long before you ever step foot in the courtroom. They read it all, or their research attorneys do, and they decide how they’re leaning.
Think of it as a spoiler for your own court case.
The judge puts this "spoiler" online so everyone knows what to expect. In California, specifically under California Rule of Court 3.1308, courts can use this system to streamline things. It keeps the hallways of the Stanley Mosk Courthouse from becoming even more of a zoo than they already are.
Why Do Judges Even Bother?
- Efficiency: If everyone agrees with the ruling, nobody has to show up.
- Focus: If you do go to court, you know exactly which points the judge is "iffy" on. You don't waste time arguing things they already agree with.
- Transparency: It shows the judge actually read your brief (hopefully).
How to Find Your Los Angeles Superior Court Tentative Ruling
This is where people get tripped up. You can't just Google "my case ruling" and hope for the best. You have to go to the source.
Most civil departments in LA post their rulings on the Official LASC Tentative Rulings page. You’ll see a few ways to search. You can plug in your case number, or you can search by the specific courthouse and department.
Pro tip: Rulings are usually posted by 3:00 PM the court day before the hearing. If it's 2:00 PM and you don't see anything, don't panic. Some judges are "last minute" types and won't post until 4:30 PM. Some departments, like Dept. 20 with Judge Kevin C. Brazile, specifically tell you not to call the judicial assistant to ask when it’s going up. Just keep refreshing that browser.
The "Submit" Trap: What Happens Next?
Once you read the Los Angeles Superior Court tentative ruling, you have a choice. You’ve basically got two paths:
- Submit on the tentative: This means you like what the judge wrote (or you realize you've lost and arguing won't help). If both sides "submit," the hearing is usually canceled, and the tentative becomes the final order.
- Contest the ruling: If the judge is planning to rule against you, you have to act fast. You usually have until 4:00 PM the day before the hearing to notify the court and the other side that you intend to appear and argue.
If you don't call the other lawyer and the court clerk to say "I'm contesting," the judge might just sign the tentative and call it a day. You've effectively waived your right to speak.
Do All Judges Issue Them?
Nope. That’s the tricky part. While most civil judges in the Stanley Mosk Courthouse or the Spring Street Courthouse do, some don't. Some prefer to see the "whites of your eyes" before making a call. If your department doesn't post online, you just have to show up and hear the ruling from the bench.
Common Misconceptions (What People Get Wrong)
I’ve seen people treat a tentative like it’s set in stone. It’s not. It’s "tentative" for a reason. I’ve witnessed lawyers walk into a room where the ruling was 100% against them and, through a brilliant oral argument, flip the judge's mind. It's rare, but it happens.
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Another big mistake? Forgetting to check for Probate Notes. If your case is in the Probate Division (like Dept. 5 or Dept. 79), they don't call them tentative rulings; they call them Probate Notes. These are lists of "defects" or questions the court has about your filing. If you don't "clear" those notes, your case will get kicked down the road for months.
When the Portal Goes Dark
Sometimes the LASC website just... breaks. Or the judge is in the middle of a long jury trial and didn't have time to write the tentative. If it’s 8:00 AM on the day of your hearing and there’s still nothing online, you must show up.
In some cases, the judge will hand out a paper copy of the tentative ruling right there in the courtroom five minutes before your case is called. You’ll see a bunch of lawyers huddled in the back of the room, frantically reading a piece of paper and whispering to their clients. That’s the tentative ruling dance.
Actionable Steps for Your Hearing
If you're dealing with a motion right now, here is what you should actually do:
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- Bookmark the LASC Portal: Don't wait until the last minute to find the link.
- Check at 3:00 PM: Set an alarm for the day before your hearing.
- Read the Specific Department Rules: Every judge in LA is a "king" or "queen" of their own courtroom. Some want you to email them if you're submitting; others want a phone call. Check the Judicial Directory for department-specific instructions.
- Prepare Your "Flip" Points: If the ruling is against you, look for the specific factual error the judge made. Don't just repeat your brief—tell them why their logic in the tentative is flawed.
- Coordinate with the Other Side: Kinda basic, but if you’re both submitting, call the other lawyer. You can both save a trip to Downtown LA and a $20 parking fee.
The Los Angeles Superior Court tentative ruling system is meant to be a tool, not a trap. Use the lead time to sharpen your argument or, if the news is good, to finally get a decent night's sleep.
Next Steps:
- Log into the LASC website using your case number to see if your department is currently publishing rulings.
- Verify your department number and look up the specific "Room" and "Floor" in the Stanley Mosk or North District courthouses to ensure you know where to go if you need to contest.
- If the ruling is posted, immediately notify opposing counsel via phone or email if you intend to appear, keeping in mind the 4:00 PM cutoff.