Before Your First Court Appearance in Fresno: A Practical Checklist

Before you leave home, match your case paperwork to the right courthouse and hours. Fresno has multiple buildings handling different case types, and clerk's office windows often close earlier than the building itself. For criminal and traffic matters, most people end up at the "M" Street Courthouse. Building hours run Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM - but the clerk's office closes at 4:00 PM. If you need to file something, pay a fine, or get paperwork stamped, that 4:00 PM cutoff is the one that matters. Heading to the Fresno Superior Courthouse Downtown? The clerk's office there is also 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. For certain criminal and domestic violence cases, you may be directed to the Jail Annex - Criminal Courts Departments 95 and 96. Those departments are open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Civil and family-law services typically route through the B. F. Sisk Courthouse, open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. As a general rule, Fresno Superior Court lists courthouse hours as 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM and clerk's office hours as 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Still, always confirm the specific building and office you need.

Dealing with post-conviction follow-up or program paperwork? The ACTION Center handles a wide range of criminal-case administrative items: processing sentencing orders, Adult Offender Work Program, Adult Theft Diversion, anger management, batterer's treatment, Domestic Violence Review Court, community service, drug testing, DUI classes, electronic monitoring, and fines. The key detail for planning: the ACTION Center is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. If you have afternoon court and need to handle ACTION Center business the same day, that closing time can make or break your schedule.

What to Bring and Timing

• ✓ Government-issued photo ID
• ✓ Your case number and any court paperwork you’ve received (notices, minute orders, citations)
• ✓ Any documents you plan to file or show in court (bring copies if you can)
• ✓ Proof of payment or receipts, if you’re handling fines/fees
• ✓ Arrive early enough to park, find the right department, and get through security (a 30–60 minute buffer is a solid target for a first visit)

Quick Previsit and Contacts

• ✓ Confirm which Fresno courthouse location your case is assigned to before you drive over
• ✓ If you need a clerk’s window, plan around clerk’s office hours (often 8:00 AM–4:00 PM)
• ✓ If your business is at the “M” Street Courthouse, remember: building hours are 8:00 AM–5:00 PM, but the clerk’s office is 8:00 AM–4:00 PM (Monday–Friday)
• ✓ If you’re unsure where to go or what’s open, call Fresno Superior Court General Information at (559) 457-2000
• ✓ Make childcare arrangements if you’ll be handling business at court
• ✓ Bring your ID and case number so staff can point you to the right line/window

Need a reliable starting point to verify hours or figure out where to report? Fresno Superior Court's main address is 1100 Van Ness Avenue, Fresno, CA 93724-0002, and the general information line is (559) 457-2000. General courthouse hours are 8:00 AM–5:00 PM; clerk's office hours are 8:00 AM–4:00 PM.