INYO COUNTY

Inyo County was created by an act of legislature approved in 1866.  Two years earlier this had been set apart from Mono and Tulare counties and designated "Coso County."  This county, however, was never organized, and on March 22, 1866 an act was approved by Governor Low creating Inyo County from the same territory.  Two changes have been made in its boundaries, the first in 1870 when an act was passed changing the northern boundary from Big Pine Creek to the present line; the other in 1872 when the southern boundary was placed up on the sixth standard south of Mount Diablo base line.  The county seat has always been at Independence. 

The Inyo County Courthouse in Independence is the fourth courthouse since the formation of the county on March 22, 1866.  The new county operated from rented office space until June 1868, when a contract was awarded to J.J. Mankin to build a courthouse for the sum of $9,832.  Completed in 1869, the two story brick building was destroyed by an earthquake March 26, 1872.  The second courthouse, a wood frame two story structure, was completed in 1873 by E. Chaquette at an approximate cost of $15,900.  On June 30, 1886 a fire broke out in a vacant building in Independence and destroyed thirty-eight buildings.  Although the county records and most of the furniture were saved due to the presence of mind of two women, the courthouse was one of the buildings destroyed.  Once again the Board of Supervisors was required to call for bids on a new courthouse.  A contract was awarded to M.E. Gilmore to build a third courthouse for $10,000.  The new building was smaller than the previous building and was completed in 1887.  The third courthouse was also a wood frame two story building and was located immediately southwest of the present courthouse.  The county offices occupied this building for thirty-four years before it was determined to be too small and was torn down in 1923 after completion of the present courthouse.

William H. Weeks was selected as the architect for the fourth courthouse.  Mr. Weeks was one of the leading architects on the Pacific Coast.  By 1915 he had designed more than 1,000 buildings in California including most of the Carnegie Libraries in Northern California, and many of the schools built in the state.  Other buildings in Inyo County designed by Weeks include Bishop Union High School, Big Pine School, and the Owens Valley School in Independence (this building has been replaced).  A cornerstone located on the northeast corner of the present courthouse bears W.H. Weeks' name as well as the names of the County Supervisors in 1922.  The casings, door, trim and paneling of the Superior Court Room are oak.  In all, the courthouse is a typical example of design and architecture in the 1920s.  The Annex was added to the south of the courthouse in 1965 when more space was required for county offices.

The region's only example of monumental Neoclassical Revival public architecture, the present courthouse was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1998 in recognition of its "integrity of feeling and association."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OUR MISSION
Our mission is to protect the legal and constitutional rights of all; to provide an accessible forum to preside over and resolve disputes under the law; and to administer justice in a fair and impartial manner.

ADA
If you are coming to the Court and require accommodations due to a disability, please contact:

ADA Coordinator/Access Coordinator
Virginia Bird, Court Operations Administrator
voice: (760) 878-0217
fax: (760) 878-0433
virginia.bird@inyocourt.ca.gov

The Court requires notification in advance of your appearance, or visit to the Court, to be sure the services you might request, such as sign language interpretation, assisted listening devices, courtroom accessibility or other assistance are available.  Please contact the ADA Coordinator as soon as possible to begin the process of insuring your access to the Court.

If you would like to  access the optional Judicial Council form please click on MC-410, Request for Accommodations by Persons with Disabilities and Order.

CALIFORNIA COURTS SELF-HELP CENTER

COURT FEES
NOTICE OF FEE INCREASES -
JANUARY 2008

Filings submitted without full fee will not be accepted.  No conformed copies of documents filed with the clerk's office will be returned by mail unless a self addressed, stamped envelope is provided at the time of filing.  Inyo County Superior Court does not accept payment by credit card at this time.The staff is prohibited by law from rendering legal assistance or advice in court proceedings (GC 24004, 68082). Persons appearing on their own behalf (in propria persona) are responsible for preparing and presenting their pleadings in complete and proper form without legal assistance from deputies of the Clerk’s Office. Questions pertaining to legal matters or the proper completion of the appropriate forms should be answered by an attorney.  Attorneys of record are required to include California State Bar numbers on all pleadings (CRC 201).

The first page of each paper shall specify immediately below the number of the case the date, time, and location, if ascertainable, of any scheduled hearing and the name of the hearing judge, if ascertainable (CRC 311).

If a check is returned unpaid to this office, a notice will be sent to the filing party stating that they have twenty (20) days in which to pay the unpaid check by cash or certified check plus the ten dollar ($10.00) Inyo County returned check fee (GC 6157, 71386, Board of Supervisors Resolution #79-1473).

Make checks payable to: The Superior Court of California, County of Inyo.

COURT RULES
Effective January 1st, 2002

DIRECTIONS

EMPLOYMENT

GRAND JURY

HOLIDAYS

INYO COUNTY AGENCIES

PRESS CENTER
Notice of Budget Allocation - Under Rule 10.620 (f)(1) of the California Rules of Court notice is hereby given that Superior Court of the State of California, County of Inyo, is in receipt of the 07/08 annual allocation from the Judicial Council in the amount of $2,625,220

Monday, October 15th, 2007
Court of Appeal to Hold Outreach Session in Inyo County

Thursday, January 11th, 2007
Fiscal Year 2007-2008 Trial Court Budget Development Process