Courts are limiting trials, juries and the public again

Several courts announced new limits on operations starting Monday, after Gov. Gavin Newsom issued a new stay-at-home order in light of rising cases of the coronavirus.

The Contra Costa County Superior Court will enact a limited court closure until further notice, it announced Friday. The courts closed to the public with exceptions for criminal preliminary hearing witnesses, and attorneys and defendants in matters with time not waived, according to a news release. Jury trials are suspended and jury members summoned before Jan. 11 do not need to report.

"In-person criminal matters are limited to in-custody and time-not-waived preliminary hearings. But otherwise, the majority of court operations will be essentially unaffected," Matt J. Malone, public information officer for the court, said in an email. "Most case types will continue through Zoom or CourtCall, the processes for which will be posted on our website in the next few days where they were not already in place. Additionally, we accept filings by mail or drop box."

Mendocino County Superior Court Presiding Judge Ann C. Moorman sought emergency relief from Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye from statutory deadlines involving jury trials, starting Monday.

"This relief is sought to reduce the public safety risk arising from convening large venire panels and conducting jury selection in physical circumstances that may increase the risk to potential jurors, court staff, lawyers, spectators and other individuals involved in such proceedings to contracting COVID-19," Moorman stated in an order.

Jury trials scheduled between Dec. 7 and Jan. 8 will be vacated and rescheduled.

Newsom's order applies once a region falls below 15% of intensive care unit capacity, at which time counties in the region must implement the stay-at-home order for at least three weeks.

The Riverside County Superior Court announced it would limit jury trials after the Southern California region fell below the 15% capacity on Dec. 6.

The court has suspended all new jury trials through Dec. 31 and the order is only applicable to jury trials that have yet to commence. Jury trials that are in progress will be addressed on a case-by-case basis, according to a news release.

Sacramento County Superior Court temporarily suspended criminal jury trials and jury service until Dec. 25, in response to the stay-at-home order. Trials already in progress will continue.

"The court is deemed an essential service and will in all other areas of court operations remain open to the public and serve the public through remote means," said Presiding Judge Russell L. Hom, in a news release. "The court is committed to reducing the number of people in our facilities to protect the public, judicial officers and employees."