How COVID-19 Has Affected the Courts and Trials
As the coronavirus, COVID-19, continues to develop globally, precautionary steps are being implemented and constantly added to and modified as this pandemic continues. Court systems and trials are being slowed down and even put on pause as new rules are being inputted as it unfolds. March 16th, 2020 Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye had stated no rules being implemented just yet. At that time it was up to the individual courts to prepare and carry out any best practices for public health and safety.
Then on March 16th, 2020, the Supreme Court of California issued an order that the court will now perform their oral arguments via video or any electronic device. In-person was to be suspended. Also, seating was then limited and had to have appropriate distancing. For any others that wanted to listen but were unable to be seated in the courtroom, oral arguments were then live-streamed to the public. It was also made known that law does allow local courts to put in a request for relief measures such as extending temporary restraining orders or filing deadlines and even extending the time for the trial to be held.
March 18th, 2020 the Supreme Court of California added to its mandatory electronic filing documents. Only some documents were previously mandatory electronic filing. Now due to public health emergencies, all documents are mandatory to be electronically filed and no paper copies are to be submitted. However, Litigants representing themselves and trial courts were exempt.
On March 20, 2020, Chief Justice Cantil-Sakauye issued new guidance to try and alleviate some of the health risks to judicial officers and court staff. In criminal cases, some of these guidelines were to permit early release to those with less than 60 days in custody. Also, to allow the use of electronics or phones for counsel and defendants’ non-critical affairs. For the civil cases, these guidelines included that all trials and hearings were to be suspended for 60 days and if possible any urgent matters are handled over the phone and not in person.
The last order issued by Chief justice was on March 24th, 2020. Even though the Governor had ordered a statewide stay home executive order, the court’s systems are “essential” and must remain open. A Statewide order was issued suspending and continuing all jury trials for 60 days. It also allowed courts to instantly implement new rules in order to keep public health at the lowest risk possible. During these unprecedented times, the Chief Justice and all essential employees are taking any and all appropriate measures to slow the coronavirus spread and ensure the safety of its employees and the public.
The COVID-19 can affect you both professionally and personally. More than ever through these wavering times, it is best to seek legal help to ensure you are on the right path with any current and new laws. This pandemic may also affect the way you run your business and any open contracts you may have. We are here to support you through these unclear times with various legal matters you may have.
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