STATEWIDE
March 30, 2020: Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye issued an order implementing the temporary emergency measures approved unanimously by the Judicial Council of California during its emergency meeting. More »
March 23, 2020: California Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye issued a statewide order suspending all jury trials in California's superior courts for 60 days and allowing courts to immediately adopt new rules to address the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Time periods to begin criminal and civil trials is extended for 60 days, though courts may conduct trials earlier upon finding of good cause or through remote technology when appropriate. Superior courts are authorized to adopt any proposed rules or rule amendment intended to address the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic to take effect immediately, without advance circulation for public comment. Read full release and order »
March 28, 2020: Judicial Council Approves Temporary Emergency Measures to Aid Courts During COVID-19 Pandemic. More »
Emergency orders that have been signed by the Chief Justice. View »
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Superior Courts by County
Contra Costa
April 2: Amended General Order re: Implementation of Emergency Relief authorized by the Chair of the Judicial Council. Read here » The Court is closed to the public until at least April 28, 2020. The Court will accept applications for domestic violence, civil harassment, and gun violence restraining orders beginning April 6, 2020. The process will be set forth in Emergency Local Rules. The Court will not schedule hearings or reset hearings that were scheduled during the closure period until the Court reopens, with the exception of urgent matters.
Last Updated: 4/2
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Imperial
El Centro Courthouse reopened April 1, limited to criminal and juvenile matters, restraining order cases, and other matters necessary to protect public safety. The Brawley courthouse will remain closed until at least April 6. The Court will hold criminal hearings limited to felony cases and any in-custody misdemeanor defendants. Juvenile cases will be heard as well as domestic violence and other restraining order hearings. Some civil matters will be heard but will be limited to emergency requests and counsel can only appear via video conferencing. March 25 order: From April 1 – April 17, all Imperial County courthouses will only allow public access to those members of the public that have business in the courthouse, including parties, lawyers, and witnesses subpoenaed to testify on the day of a hearing scheduled in their case. .
Last Updated: 3/30
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Kern
Order: April 1 – April 30, 2020 be deemed holidays for purposes of computing the time for filing papers with the court under the Code of Civil Procedure sections 12 and 12a. Extend the time periods provided in sections 583.310 of the Code of Civil Procedure to bring an action to trial by not more than 30 days in cases in which the statutory deadline otherwise would expire from April 1–April 30, 2020. As of March 24, all jury trials are suspended and continued for 60 days. The time period for the holding of a criminal or civil trial is extended for a period of 60 days. March 19 through April 10, only certain case types will be heard; all other hearings are rescheduled. Attorneys and self-representing parties will be notified..
Last Updated: 4/1
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Los Angeles
April 2: Presiding Judge Kevin C. Brazile announced the implementation of the Emergency Order issued by Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye on March 30, 2020, that was in response to Governor Gavin Newsom’s executive order issued on Friday, March 27, 2020, and the unanimous action taken by the Judicial Council of California (JCC) on Saturday, March 28, 2020. Time deadlines for arraignments, preliminary hearings and trials are extended. Read more » March 30: Presiding Judge Kevin C. Brazile and Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva announced they have collaborated on COVID-19-related reductions in court operations, which allows for the redeployment of some deputies to support county law enforcement. March 28: Presiding Judge Issues New General Order Restricting Courthouse Access to Authorized Parties Only Through June 22, 2020. Effective March 24, Order Delays Criminal and Civil Cases While Prioritizing Bail Review Hearings for the Next 60 Days.
Last Updated: 4/2
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Orange
April 2: Updates to the Court's activities affecting Criminal and Traffic Operations. More » The Orange County Superior Court will remain closed to the public until April 24, 2020, with minimal exceptions for time sensitive matters or matters pertaining to the safety and security of the community. Over the coming days and weeks the Court may be frequently changing the services available to the public. Self-Help Services will be closed for in-person assistance at all locations.
Last Updated: 4/2
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Riverside
April 1: General Order issued re: implementation of judicial council of California statewide orders by the Chief Justic of California and Chair of the Judicial Council. Through April 17, 2020, the Riverside Superior Court is operating in a limited capacity and many court locations are closed or have limited hours. Additionally, the Court is hearing only specific emergency matters at this time in order to comply with federal, state, and local recommendations on social distancing. Customers may file documents online via the eSubmit Document Submission Portal. Transaction fees are waived through June 30, 2020. Telephonic appearances are available for certain emergency hearings that have not been continued or postponed. CourtCall is available for some matters (and CourtCall fees have been temporarily reduced through April 30, 2020).
Last Updated: 4/2
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San Bernardino
April 2: An amended General Order of Emergency Relief was issued today, April 2, 2020 providing further clarification on criminal proceedings, specifically to section 4(i). The Court will continue to handle only emergency matters affecting public health and safety as outlined in the Press Release issued April 1, 2020 (below). Read the April 2 press release and order » April 1: Presiding Judge Michael A. Sachs issues amended and updated implementation order effective April 3 through April 30, 2020 to continue all non-emergency matters due to covid-19 pandemic. Read the April 1 press release » March 25: From March 24 – April 2, all courtrooms except for limited courtrooms in San Bernadino Justice Center, Victorville, Joshua Tree, San Bernadino Historic courthouses and Juvenile Court will be closed for judicial business, except for certain time-sensitive essential functions.
Last Updated: 4/2
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COURT CLOSURE EXTENDED THROUGH APRIL 30, 2020
April 3, 2020: San Diego Superior Court to Begin Testing for Videoconference Hearings »
April 3, 2020: General Order 040120-38A In Re: 60-Day Accelerated Release of Sentenced County Jail Inmates Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic »
April 1, 2020: Honorable Judge Lorna Alksne, Presiding Judge of the San Diego Superior Court, issues statement re: request for an emergency extension from the California Supreme Court Chief Justice to remain closed through April 30, 2020. Read the statement here »
All non-emergency services are suspended effective March 17, 2020 – April 3, 2020. The Court has added more emergency services as of March 24. All San Diego Superior Court juror service dismissed through May 22, 2020. All summoned jurors’ service now considered complete. Organizations offering free help with emergency court services will continue to provide services during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Court works with the Judicial Council of California, State Bar of California, San Diego County Bar Association, and local service providers to assist people in need of self- represented services. March 27, 2020: General Order 032720-37 In Re: Appointment of Counsel in New Criminal and Juvenile Justice Cases to be Filed Once the Court is Fully Operational After the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Last Updated: 4/3
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San Francisco
April 1, 2020: General Order re: Implementation of emergency relief authorized purusant to the Governor's March 27, 2020 Executive Order N-38-20 and March 30, 2020 Statewide Order by the Chair of the Judicial Council. Read here » March 24: The Court has reduced operations and is only providing necessary and essential services. The Court intends to reduce the number of jurors, parties, and attorneys in the Court for the time period of March 17 through April 15, 2020, as advised by public health officials. March 18 – April 15 are deemed a holiday for computing time for filing papers with the Court. The time period for the holding of criminal trial will be extended 60 days from the current last day of each case. New last days will be set at that time. The trial dates for all casis on the civil trial calendar from March 23 – May 22 are hereby vacated. The court will set a new date 60 days from the vacated trial date.
Last Updated: 4/1
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San Luis Obispo
Effective Monday, March 23, 2020 through April 10, 2020: • The Paso Robles and Grover Beach courthouses will be closed entirely, including closure of the exterior drop-boxes. No operations will occur at these facilities. • The San Luis Obispo Courthouse Annex will be closed except for matters on the Court’s calendar. Entrance to the San Luis Obispo location will only be available on Monterey Street. The Palm Street entrance will be closed. • Due to significantly reduced staffing, remote options including contact by telephone will now be reserved for critical and essential court business only.
Last Updated: 3/23
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Santa Barbara
March 30: General Order re: Implementation of Emergency Relief authorized pursuant to Government Code Section 68115 by the Chair of the Judicial Council. Read here » March 23: The Santa Barbara Superior Court has closed most courtrooms in Santa Barbara and suspended all non-emergency services effective March 17, 2020 – April 3, 2020. The Court is closed for all criminal proceedings, except in-custody arraignments. All civil proceedings will be rescheduled.
Last Updated: 3/30
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Sonoma
April 1: General Order re: Implementation of Emergency Relief autnhorized by the Chair of the Judicial Council. Read here » Second Amended Order of the Presiding Judge Regarding Criminal Matters, Civil and Probate, Family Law Matters, and General Order for Video Appearances. Read here » The Court is closed. The Court currently plans to resume regular court operations on Monday, May 4, 2020, subject to change if the Sonoma County Health Officer's Orders are extended.
Last Updated: 4/1
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Ventura
April 1: Administratove Order: As of March 19 – April 17, 2020, all courtrooms and clerk's offices will remain closed, except for essential emergency matters and time-sensitive, essential functions, which include limited criminal courtrooms, 1 Family Law courtroom for all types of emergency restraining orders and other emergency orders, the off-site mental health courtrooms, 1 juvenile delinquency courtroom, and 1 juvenile dependency courtroom, along with on-duty magistrates.
Last Updated: 4/1
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US District Courts
US District, Central
March 31: All regularly scheduled grand jury proceedings in the Central District of California are suspended and continued to May 4, 2020. Chief Judge Virginia A. Phillips announces the Court has activated its Continuity of Operations Plan (“COOP”), effective March 23, 2020 through and including May 1, 2020. All of the Courthouses of the Central District of California will be closed to the public except for hearings on criminal duty matters.
Last Updated: 3/31
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March 30: Congress has passed legislation authorizing the use of video and telephone conferencing, under certain circumstances and with the consent of the defendant, for various criminal case events during the course of the COVID-19 emergency. All jury trials in civil and criminal cases in the Southern District of California are continued until April 16, 2020. New trial or status dates will be set in individual cases on or before April 16, 2020, unless this emergency suspension oftrials is extended. CJA Panel Attorneys and their service providers may submit interim vouchers for compensation, without prior Court approval under certain conditions.
Last Updated: 3/30
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Notice: All Court of Appeal districts and the California Supreme Court have now adopted orders extending any deadline under the Rules of Court by 30 days if it falls between now and mid-April (the specific dates vary district by district).
California Supreme Court
March 27: The Supreme Court of California today issued an order related to media access and social distancing for oral argument. The courtroom will accommodate up to 15 members of the press on a first come, first served basis. The Supreme Court of California issued an order on 3/20 extending all high court proceedings for an additional 30 days, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic which has created a "public health emergency." The order applies only to California Supreme Court proceedings with deadlines from March 20 through April 20.
Last Updated: 3/27
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California Courts of Appeal:
First District
The court is operating with a reduced staff. The court will continue to receive correspondence and filings both via paper and electronically. Access to the court by phone will be limited. Oral arguments scheduled for March 18, 19, and April 6 have been cancelled and will be rescheduled.
Last Updated: 3/18
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Second District
All in-person oral argument suspended in Los Angeles. Counsel will appear remotely via video conference, by telephone conference, or by other electronic means as available and arranged by the Clerk’s Office until further notice. An order was issued authorizing the court to extend the time to do any act required or permitted under the California Rules of Court by 30 additional days. No application for an extension is required.
Last Updated: 3/23
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Third District
All oral arguments scheduled at the Court of Appeal, Third Appellate District, will be telephonic. If you are scheduled for oral argument, please call the Clerk’s Office and provide a telephone number, preferably a landline, where you can be reached. An order was issued extending by no more than 30 additional days the time in which to do any act required or permitted under the California Rules of Court, for proceedings in which the deadline for any action in the California Rules of Court would occur between March 20, 2020, and April 19, 2020. The Court of Appeal, Third Appellate District, is postponing the Sixth Mediator Training Session, currently scheduled for May 2020, until further notice.
Last Updated: 3/25
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Fourth District
April 2: Order of the Presiding Justice: In light of the foregoing, to facilitate the presentation of oral argument through remote methods, and to protect public health and safety by maintaining appropriate social distancing in conformity with the Department of Public Health directive, the Court adopts the following additional procedures for future oral arguments... Read the full order »
The time to do any act required or permitted under the California Rules of Court is hereby extended by 30 additional days. This order applies to proceedings in which the deadline for any action in the California Rules of Court occurs between March 19, 2020, through and including April 18, 2020.
Last Updated: 4/1
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Fifth District
The Court has suspended all in-person oral argument. Oral arguments can be viewed live on the Court’s website using the “Oral Argument Webcast” button. By March 23 order: the time to do any act required or permitted under the California Rules of Court is extended by 30 additional days. No application for an extension is required. This order applies to proceedings in which the deadline for any action in the California Rules of Court occurs between March 23, 2020, through and including April 22, 2020.
Last Updated: 3/23
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Sixth Disctrict
The building where the Sixth District Court of Appeal is located has closed to the public. The time to do any act required or permitted under the California Rules of Court is hereby extended by 30 additional days. No application for an extension shall be required. This order applies to proceedings in which the deadline for any action in the California Rules of Court occurs between March 18, 2020, through and including April 17, 2020. Pursuant to Misc. Order 20-001, oral argument sessions in the Sixth District Court of Appeal are suspended. The court will continue to receive correspondence and filings electronically.
Last Updated: 3/18
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U.S. Court of Appeals, 9th Circuit
Oral Arguments: Arguments currently scheduled in March, April, and May 2020 are being evaluated one at a time and orders will issue in those cases giving direction to the parties. Panels may exercise their discretion under the rules to submit cases without argument; to postpone argument to a later date; or to hold argument via telephone or video. When argument is held, it will be live streamed to facilitate public access. Access to the Courthouses: Until further notice, our courthouses are closed to the public during non-court weeks. Attorneys and parties who have access to CM/ECF are strongly encouraged to use it for everything, including new petitions for review and original proceedings.
Last Updated: 3/26
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Courts using "CourtCall" service
The Judicial Council of California and CourtCall have entered into an addendum to the existing Master Agreement to allow for the reduction of the telephonic appearance fee in participating California courts to $54.00 for telephonic appearances newly scheduled on and after March 19, 2020 and to occur prior to April 30, 2020. As of March 25, CourtCall is fully operational, serving all CourtCall courts, attorneys, justice partners and the public across California and around the world. CourtCall's Los Angeles-based staff is working remotely, supported by additional staff and operational redundancies across the United States. If possible, please verify with the court that your hearing is still proceeding as scheduled before contacting CourtCall. Please use online scheduling if possible. Live agents can only take orders for hearings on 3/26 - 3/27. For later dates or other inquiries, click here.
Last Updated: 4/2
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