All Civil and Criminal Trials Suspended Through April 16 in Humboldt County
Press release from the Superior Court of California, County of Humboldt:
PRESIDING JUDGE JOYCE D. HINRICHS ISSUES
IMPLEMENTATION ORDER TO CONTINUE ALL NONEMERGENCY MATTERS FOR 30 DAYS DUE TO
CORONAVIRUS (COVID–19) PANDEMIC
All Civil and Criminal Trials are Suspended through April 16, 2020
Order will keep the Court Open for Emergency and Essential Matters
No Jurors are to Report Until April 16, 2020
Presiding Judge Joyce D. Hinrichs today issued an implementation order pursuant to the emergency powers granted to her yesterday by Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil Sakauye under Government Code Section 68115.
“This order will allow us to comply with social distancing and to prevent the spread of the virus within our community,” Presiding Judge Hinrichs said. “The Court will reopen Friday, March 20, only for in–custody arraignments and Bail/OR hearings, and will reopen Monday, March 23, for other emergency and essential matters to protect the most vulnerable in our communities.”
Presiding Judge Hinrichs reminds the public that, while court proceedings are open to the public, there are restrictions in place to reduce the number of individuals in the courtroom to comply with gatherings of no more than 10 people, with appropriate social distancing. “Please do not come to the courthouse unless you are advised to be here by your attorney or, if you represent yourself you have checked in with Court Staff. In
many situations you may be able to appear by telephone or your attorney can appear for you.” Hearings that are proceeding to evidentiary hearing will be set at a specific time to reduce the number of individuals waiting in our hallways.” Presiding Judge Hinrichs added, “Do not come to the courthouse if you feel ill in any way or if you are in a high–risk category.”
As one final reminder, Presiding Judge Hinrichs added that no jurors should report, and no additional prospective jurors will be summoned for jury service for 30 days.
Over the next few days, there will be additional news releases explaining in further detail the specifics of how the Superior Court of Humboldt is scaling back judicial and court resources in response to the current public health crisis. The order is attached. For the latest updates, please check the Court‘s website at www.humboldt.courts.ca.gov.
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What about the right to a speedy trial. In the constitution, I believe. Aah the constitution…..
Applies if in custody and not time waived. If out of custody, 99.9% of defendants waive that right. Ah, the waiver. And since hardly anyone is being arrested now, that means hardly anyone is in custody. For those that are, it seems there will still be arraignments and the like; and continuances will likely be sought by the DA as needed.
That’s the kind of talk that will make the Governor “do martial law.”
What about people in custody that the DA already made deals with that are just waiting for sentencing, that didn’t happen on the day it was supposed to.