Rule 3.1308 Tentative rulings

Before your court hearing, a judge may post a "tentative ruling," which is the judge's likely decision on your motion before the hearing takes place. The court must make this available by 3:00 p.m. the day before your hearing. If you disagree with the tentative ruling and want to argue your case in person, you must call the court and all other parties by 4:00 p.m. that same day to say you plan to show up. If nobody calls to say they are coming, the tentative ruling automatically becomes the final decision and the hearing is cancelled.

Some courts use a slightly different version where the tentative ruling does not become final just because nobody calls in. In that version, the hearing still happens and the judge makes a final ruling after listening to any arguments. Your local court rules will tell you which method your court uses and how to look up tentative rulings.

Not every judge is required to issue tentative rulings at all. If a judge does use them, the same process must be used by all judges in that courthouse or branch. You should always check your local court's rules so you know what to expect before your hearing date.