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In light of the recent significant resurgence in COVID-19, including some exposures within the legal community, jury trials will be suspended until September 27, 2021. The judges do not take this decision lightly, but the current uptick in transmission is higher than at any prior point in the pandemic. This is a decision being made to protect the safety of everyone in the courtroom environment.
We would like to reiterate the court’s strong preference for appearances to be remote unless absolutely necessary, as detailed in Administrative Order 21-4. In recent months, the ex parte calendar and some others have become particularly crowded. Unless you or your client do not have access to technology allowing remote appearances, the appearance must take place over Zoom. We will be strictly enforcing these measures, including distancing. We also want to remind everyone that regardless of the hearing type, anyone with a potential exposure or symptoms of COVID-19 is ordered to not appear in the courthouse. Please make sure you are having those conversations with your clients prior to any expected court appearances.
Thank you for your patience with this ever-changing environment. We are hopeful that the community will return to safer levels of transmission so we can resume the important work of jury trials.
Judge Laura Riquelme
Presiding Judge
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