Sierra County Courthouse: Finding Your Case and Court Date

Sierra County's only courthouse hears every kind of case, criminal included: Sierra County Superior Court, 100 Courthouse Sq., Downieville, CA 95936, phone (530) 289-3698. The court lists no online case search, so the Clerk's Office is the fastest way to get case information.

Browse our statewide California courthouse and jail directory for other counties. Trying to find out whether someone is currently in custody instead? The court's own Criminal Division page says to contact the Wayne Brown Correctional Facility at (530) 265-1291, a Nevada County Sheriff's facility in Nevada City; our Sierra County Jail guide covers custody and release in more depth.

Which courthouse hears a criminal case in Sierra County?

Sierra County Superior Court operates from one building in Downieville, and its Criminal Division page gives the documents that show where and when a case is heard.

The court's own page points to the paperwork rather than a building list, since there is only one building:

"You can find this information on one of the following: Citation. Notice of Hearing. Signed Promise to Appear. Notice to Appear."

The Clerk's Office keeps window hours Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to noon and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., with phone hours running 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. the same days.

How do you look up a Sierra County criminal case?

Sierra County Superior Court does not list a dedicated online case-search portal; the fastest way to check a hearing date is to call the Clerk's Office with the case number.

1. Call the Criminal Division at (530) 289-3698, with the case number if you have it, between 9:00 a.m. and noon or 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m., the hours the court's Criminal Division page gives for court-date questions.
2. Check the court's own posted courtroom calendars online for Tuesday through Friday, plus a Special Set Calendar and a Traffic calendar, though the court's own site warns these are not final drafts.
3. If your case is not on the posted calendar, the court's own instructions say to call the Clerk's Office directly rather than assume anything from the online list.

What happens at your first court appearance, and is bail involved?

A person held in custody after a Sierra County arrest must reach a judge within 48 hours, not counting Sundays or holidays, under Penal Code section 825(a)(1).

"the defendant shall in all cases be taken before the magistrate without unnecessary delay, and, in any event, within 48 hours after his or her arrest, excluding Sundays and holidays."

A person cited and released on a promise to appear is never on that clock, and if the 48 hours would run out while court is closed, the rule covers the whole next session rather than cutting off partway through it.

"that time shall be extended to include the duration of the next court session on the judicial day immediately following."

The one carve-out: when the arrest falls on a Wednesday and that day's court session has already ended, and the Wednesday is not a court holiday, the person must be brought before a judge by Friday instead, so long as Friday itself is not a court holiday.

At the first appearance, the judge tells the defendant the charge and the right to a lawyer at every stage (Penal Code 858), the charge is read and the defendant is asked for a plea (Penal Code 988), and a defendant who wants a lawyer but cannot afford one is assigned one (Penal Code 987).

Sierra's own felony and misdemeanor bail schedule is titled 2023 and sets a presumptive amount for each listed offense under Penal Code section 1269b; a judge can set a different amount, and two California Supreme Court cases decide what happens once a judge gets involved. The newer one, In re Kowalczyk (April 2026), held that outside capital cases a judge may deny bail only for the offenses named in California Constitution article I, section 12, subdivisions (b) and (c), and that money bail, when needed, "must generally be set in an amount that is reasonably attainable."

"a trial court has the authority to deny bail only as to offenses specified in section 12, subdivisions (b) and (c)."

The older one, In re Humphrey (2021), is why a judge has to ask about ability to pay before settling on a dollar amount at all.

"An arrestee may not be held in custody pending trial unless the court has made an individualized determination that (1) the arrestee has the financial ability to pay, but nonetheless failed to pay, the amount of bail the court finds reasonably necessary to protect compelling government interests; or (2) detention is necessary to protect victim or public safety, or ensure the defendant's appearance, and there is clear and convincing evidence that no less restrictive alternative will reasonably vindicate those interests."

See our Sierra County Jail guide for custody and posting bail, or how California bail amounts are set and What Happens at an Arraignment in California for the statewide version of this rule.

Can you appear remotely in a Sierra County criminal case?

Sierra County Superior Court holds misdemeanor and felony appearances in person; it may allow Zoom for designated hearings if you file its criminal remote-appearance request at least 10 days ahead.

"As of July 1, 2022, all misdemeanor and felony appearances will be accomplished in person. Designated hearing appearances may be permitted via Zoom. Defendants, attorneys, and/or witnesses intending to appear via Zoom are requested to file Request for Remote Appearance: Criminal at least 10 days prior to the court date."

That rule is on the court's Criminal Division page, which links the Request for Remote Appearance: Criminal form. Penal Code section 977 sets the statewide limits. A defendant charged only with a misdemeanor may appear through a lawyer and, if the defendant agrees, have hearings other than trials held remotely; in a misdemeanor domestic violence case the defendant must be present for arraignment and sentencing, and in a misdemeanor DUI case the judge may order the defendant to be present. A felony defendant must be physically present at arraignment, plea and the preliminary hearing unless the defendant waives that right. No defendant may appear remotely for a jury or court trial, and a felony defendant may not appear remotely at sentencing "except for postconviction relief proceedings and as otherwise provided by law." Ask the Clerk's Office, or your attorney, whether your hearing qualifies before counting on Zoom.

What should you bring, and how do you get to the courthouse?

Bring the citation or notice that shows your court date, and plan the drive to Downieville, where the courthouse is the large white building with the blue roof.

The court's location page gives the route. From Nevada City or Grass Valley, take Highway 49 north to Downieville; in town, turn right at the Union 76 station, cross the bridge and go up a short hill, and the courthouse is on the right. From Truckee, take Highway 89 to Highway 49 south toward Downieville; in town, turn left at the stop sign, go one block, turn left at the Union 76 station, then cross the bridge and go up the short hill. Parking is next to the building. For road conditions, the court lists 1-800-427-ROAD (1-800-427-7623).

For ADA access, a parking space reserved for ADA and elevator access is at the far left (south side) of the building. The elevator is at the rear (west side); press the speaker button beside its doors, and the Sheriff's dispatcher asks your name and purpose before letting you up to the court offices and courtroom on the second floor.

How do you request an interpreter?

Nobody pays out of pocket for a court interpreter in a Sierra County criminal case: Evidence Code section 752(b)(1) makes that cost a charge against the court in every criminal case, and the right itself comes from California Constitution article I, section 14. The court's interpreter page describes the ways to ask:

"If you are involved in a proceeding for a Criminal, Traffic, Juvenile, or Family Court Hearing, you may ask the clerk at the counter or the clerk in the courtroom for an interpreter. ... To notice the Court you may: Complete the Request for Court Interpreter Form / Inform a Clerk at the counter / OR / Inform a Courtroom Clerk."

You can also email the court at superiorcourt@sierracourt.org. Ask early: the same page says that if an interpreter is not available at the time of your hearing, your case may be continued until one can be assigned.

Who are Sierra County's public defender, district attorney, and probation department?

Sierra County's directory lists no public defender department, but it lists the District Attorney and Probation, both at the Downieville courthouse; ask the judge for an appointed lawyer at arraignment.

Both offices keep the same hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., closed from noon to 1:00 p.m. If you cannot afford a lawyer, ask the judge to appoint one at your arraignment (Penal Code 987). The court's Drug Court page names an Office of the Public Defender among its partners, but the county's directory lists no public defender contact, so ask the court clerk for current contact information. Hiring a lawyer sooner rather than later is also worth considering, and the firm's criminal defense lawyer page explains what that involves.

Does Sierra County have collaborative or treatment courts?

Yes. The Sierra County Drug Court, established in 2003, is an alternative to traditional sentencing for non-violent drug-related offenders, run with the District Attorney, Public Defender, Probation and Sheriff.

"The Sierra County Drug Court (SCDC) was established in 2003 as an alternative to traditional sentencing options for non-violent drug-related offenders. SCDC is a collaborative effort among the Superior Court, the Office of the District Attorney, the Office of the Public Defender, the Probation Department, the Sheriff's Department, the Department of Human Services, and Drug Court Medical Advisor."

Ask your attorney whether Drug Court could apply to your case. Whatever the charge, from a Drug Court referral to a straightforward misdemeanor, our California criminal defense practice overview explains how the firm handles each kind of case.

Talk to a lawyer about your Sierra County case

If you or a family member has a criminal case in Sierra County, talk to a lawyer before the court date on the citation or notice. The Law Offices of David S. Chesley offers a free, confidential consultation, available 24 hours a day, with payment plans and service in Spanish. Call (800) 755-5174, or request a free consultation online.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the Sierra County courthouse?

100 Courthouse Sq. in Downieville, the only courthouse the county has; every case, criminal included, is heard there.

Is there a website where I can look up a Sierra County case?

The court lists no self-service case portal. Call the Clerk's Office at (530) 289-3698, or check the court's own posted courtroom calendars online.

Does a Sierra County criminal interpreter cost anything?

Nothing. The court absorbs that expense under Evidence Code section 752(b)(1) for any criminal defendant who needs one, regardless of the charge.

Does the Zoom option work for every kind of Sierra County hearing?

No. The court's Criminal Division page says all misdemeanor and felony appearances are in person; Zoom may be permitted only for designated hearings, requested on the court's criminal remote-appearance form at least 10 days before the court date.

What if I cannot afford my own lawyer in Sierra County?

Ask the judge to appoint one at your arraignment. Sierra County's own directory lists no in-house public defender's office, so confirm current contact information with the court directly.

What if I cannot make it to my Sierra County hearing?

Penal Code section 978.5(a) lets the court issue a bench warrant the moment a required appearance is missed, and deliberately avoiding court can become a charge on its own. Reach your attorney as soon as you know a hearing is in jeopardy.

Does Sierra County's Drug Court replace a regular criminal case?

Not automatically. The court describes it as an alternative to traditional sentencing for non-violent drug-related offenders, with intensive supervision by the Probation Department; after successful completion, probation is terminated or charges are dismissed. Ask your attorney whether it fits your situation.