Los Angeles Superior Court Presiding Judge Kevin C. Brazile has announced the Court has begun scaling down operations to achieve social distancing in all 38 courthouses. Additional public protection measures will be evaluated and announced as appropriate.
“As the largest trial court in the nation, the Superior Court of Los Angeles County is methodically scaling back non-essential court operations as part of a phased approach,” Presiding Judge Brazile said. “We will continue to provide services for the most vulnerable in our communities and remain open to handle criminal matters subject to statutory deadlines.”
Over the weekend, Presiding Judge Brazile notified the Judges of the Los Angeles County bench that:
- No new jurors will be summoned for any Civil or Criminal jury trials for the next 30 days;
- The trial Judge for any jury trial in session may exercise his or her discretion to either continue the trial or declare a mistrial;
- The trial Judge for any non-jury trial in session may exercise his or her discretion to either continue the trial or declare a mistrial; and
- Self-help centers will be closed tomorrow, except for telephone assistance with restraining order preparation by calling (213) 830-0845.
- Judges were encouraged to consider ways to achieve social distancing in their courtrooms by offering telephonic appearances and other strategies to reduce courtroom traffic.
Here are some additional updates:
- Additional signage, which is attached to this news release, will be posted beginning tomorrow on courthouse entry points and on courtroom doors advising the public about restrictions on entering our courthouses or courtrooms;
- The Court’s website homepage (www.lacourt.org) has been updated with a new COVID-19 news center at the top of the page;
- The Court will continue to communicate updates on its Twitter page;
- The Court continues to emphasize the importance of staying home when you are sick and frequent, proper hand-washing; and
- The Court expanded its custodial cleaning program and has made sanitizing products available throughout courthouses in response to CDC and Los Angeles County Department of Public Health recommendations.
For the latest updates on Coronavirus/COVID-19-related impacts to Court operations, please consult the Court’s COVID-19 News Center located at the top of the LASC homepage (www.lacourt.org), and follow us on Twitter @LASuperiorCourt.
