MONTEREY COUNTY — Monterey County Superior Court celebrated the expansion of services at the King City Courthouse last week, marking a significant milestone for South Monterey County residents.
The courthouse, located at 250 Franciscan Way in King City, is now open every Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., offering a range of services to the public.
“We are excited to be reopening the King City Courthouse to provide much-needed services to the residents of South Monterey County,” said Presiding Judge Carrie M. Panetta.
The expanded hours include filing windows for traffic payments and filings, as well as court filings in family, restraining order and small claims cases. The King City Self-Help Center is also available on Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for walk-ins and appointments.
In addition, the courthouse will host a monthly traffic calendar on the second Tuesday of the month and a Department of Child Support Services calendar every other month on the third Wednesday.
The courthouse, which previously handled criminal cases, closed in September 2013 due to resource constraints. It partially reopened in 2021 with limited services twice a month.
This latest expansion provides weekly access for South Monterey County residents, reducing the need for them to travel up to 100 miles round-trip to access court services.
To commemorate the expanded services, a celebration was held Nov. 12 at the courthouse. Assistant Presiding Judge Rafael Vazquez led the event, which featured remarks from local officials including Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine M. Pacioni and King City Mayor Mike LeBarre, appetizers and a tour of the facility.
“These expansions are very, very important,” LeBarre said. “… Going to weekly opportunities for our residents, not only in King City but South County, to me, means more people will be protected. There won’t be a barrier of getting a restraining order against somebody who’s being abusive to that person or to that family anymore because now help is just around the corner.”
Residents can now access clerk services for traffic, family law and restraining order filings, along with payment processing. The Self-Help Center offers additional resources for those navigating the legal system. Call the King City Courthouse at 831-386-5200 for more information.
“I look forward to continuing conversations, finding other ways to increase more services, but I am very, very thankful for today’s ceremony and celebration of bringing more resources to South County, and recognize that distance should not be a barrier to justice,” LeBarre added.
