[UPDATE] California Courts Adapt Rules During the Pandemic

Coronavirus CA Judicial CouncilPress release from the CA Judicial Council:

At its meeting today, the Judicial Council approved 11 temporary emergency rules, including setting bail statewide at $0 for misdemeanors and lower-level felonies to “safely reduce jail populations” and staying eviction and foreclosure proceedings to protect Californians from losing their homes during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This was the second emergency council meeting of court and branch leaders from around the state to consider further measures to ensure California courts—which remain open as “essential services” under Gov. Newsom’s stay-home executive order—can meet stringent health directives while also providing due process and access to justice.

“We are at this point truly with no guidance in history, law, or precedent,” said Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye, chair of the council. “And to say that there is no playbook is a gross understatement of the situation. In developing these rules, we listened to suggestions from our justice system partners, the public, and the courts, and we greatly appreciate all of the input. Working with our court stakeholders, I’m confident we can preserve the rule of law and protect the rights of victims, the accused, litigants, families and children, and all who seek justice. It’s truly a team effort.”

The council received and considered more than 100 written comments on the new rules from judges, public defenders, district attorneys, law enforcement, legal aid and advocacy groups, unions, attorneys, court reporters, interpreters, and other justice system partners.

Among the actions the council approved, to go into effect immediately:

  • Suspend the entry of defaults in eviction cases;
  • Suspend judicial foreclosures;
  • Allow courts to require judicial proceedings and court operations be conducted remotely, with the defendant’s consent in criminal proceedings;
  • Adopt a statewide emergency bail schedule that sets bail at $0 for most misdemeanor and lower-level felony offenses;
  • Allow defendants to appear via counsel or remote technologies for pretrial criminal hearings;
  • Prioritize hearings and orders in juvenile justice proceedings and set a structure for remote hearings and continuances
  • Extend the timeframes for specified temporary restraining orders;
  • Extend the statutes of limitations governing civil actions; and
  • Allow electronic depositions in civil cases.

The council previously approved a number of temporary measures at its first emergency meeting Mar. 28 to give courts flexibility to continue to provide essential services to the public while protecting health and safety during the pandemic.

For a complete list of emergency orders taken by the California court system in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, see the California Courts Newsroom.

UPDATE: ED Denson, local attorney gave us a little clarification. He said,

What I sent you is the emergency regulations just announced and effective April 6, 2020 for all California Courts. I didn’t think I saw them on the website but perhaps I missed them. This document is different from the Sheriff’s announcement, the Humboldt Court’s announcement(s), and the governor’s announcement(s). The Judicial Council makes statewide court rules. Two very important things in these rules: both evictions and foreclosures may not be acted on by the courts until 90 days after the governor declares the emergency is over. This is not restricted to people with problems caused by the virus, even indirectly, it applies to everyone. As a landlord it is my worst nightmare, as a lawyer trying to prevent an eviction, it is manna from heaven.

Regarding bail: Setting bail at zero is different from saying “no bail.” The court’s always had the discretion to release people on O.R., i.e. no bail. This order says if you think bail would be appropriate you must set it at zero for a whole bunch of violations – mostly misdemeanors and non-violent crimes. Nationwide there is a huge concern about the virus in the jails and prisons and most jurisdictions are releasing as many prisoners as they feel relatively safe about doing. Many prisoners are in jail because they can’t afford bail. This emergency rule prevents adding to that number except for heavy duty crimes. The rule applies to existing prisoners, also.

All personal appearances are non-mandatory. In regular times many instances require the defendant to appear live and in person, and sometimes just the lawyer. Now it’s almost always just the lawyer.

I’m not discussing the various civil rule changes because that is not my area. I see it extends all restraining orders, and for civil actions already filed extends the time to bring to trial from 6 months to five years and six months. It tolls (extends) the statute of limitations on civil causes of action starting April 6 and extending to 90 days after the governor says the emergency is over. In a way the entire legal system is put on hold for months.

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Fred
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Fred
3 years ago

Exactly

Mark
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Mark
3 years ago

This is petty crime. Real criminals wear suits and fund political campaigns to get favors they can take to the bank so petty criminals can get caught taking it out.

John Henry
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John Henry
3 years ago
Reply to  Mark

You are absolutely correct. Here is a perfect example of theft by politicians and law. I suppose you would call this a land grab and the people involved should really be put in prison. I am sure nothing will happen to them, they are special.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yw3RiMdS7sE

Coletta Hughes
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Coletta Hughes
3 years ago
Reply to  John Henry

I’m not sure how can compare the courts showing leniency towards the poor to LA County’s ruthless building and safety department and DWP?? What’s happening in that video is completely horrible, but I don’t see where the comparison is at all?

Mike
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Mike
3 years ago

As I’ve said the thing that the government is the best at is telling you the reasons why they can’t do their job.