The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has left us in strange and uncertain times. As the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommended social distancing, California Governor Gavin Newsom has issued a Safe at Home order, requiring residents to stay at home except to take care of essential business. This has impacted many aspects of our lives, including the handling of judicial processes.
At Grech & Packer, we know resolving your criminal matter is important, which is why we are staying current on updates from Southern California Courthouses, concerning their responses to health and safety recommendations and what impact this is having on judicial processes.
Below is a summary of temporary closures and changes for Riverside County and San Bernardino County courthouses:
Riverside County
Between March 20 and May 15, 2020, the following 8 courthouses will be completely closed:
- Banning Justice Center
- Corona Court
- Hemet Court
- Historic Courthouse
- Moreno Valley Court
- Palm Springs Court
- Riverside Family Law
- Temecula Court
The following 6 courts are limited to handling emergency legal matters:
- Blythe Court
- Hall of Justice
- Larson Justice Center
- Riverside Juvenile
- Southwest Justice Center
- Southwest Juvenile
The courts will be issuing notices about when cases have been rescheduled. Anyone summoned for jury duty during the closure periods must request a postponement by going online, calling the automated service, or emailing the court.
San Bernardino County
From March 17 through May 28, 2020, courts in San Bernardino County will be limited to hearing emergency matters. Non-essential business will be rescheduled for a later date. For deadline purposes, the court will compute the closure dates as holidays. People scheduled for jury service during the closure period are not to report and may be rescheduled to serve at a later date.
RECENT RIVERSIDE AND SAN BERNARDINO UPDATES:
- Riverside Superior Court Extends Closure Date (4/29/20)
- Riverside Superior Court Extends Closure Date (4/15/20)
- Riverside Superior Court Extends Closure Date (4/1/20)
- San Bernardino Superior Court Extends Closure Date (5/1/20)
- San Bernardino Superior Court Extends Closure Date (4/2/20)
Statewide Order
On March 23, 2020, the Chief Justice of California and Chair of the Judicial Council, Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye, issued a statewide order in response to COVID-19. With various executive and health orders in effect, many court facilities in the state are unable to continue to operate as they have and this order serves to balance constitutional due process rights and community health and safety.
At Grech & Packer, our criminal defense attorneys know that even though society has changed because of the COVID-19 outbreak, you might be involved in a legal matter that needs attention. That is why we are available to discuss your case via telephone or virtual meetings.
If you have questions about your legal matter or how the court closures and changes in processes might affect your case, please call us at (951) 291-0105 or contact us online.