| by Heather Duncan, Esq.
COVID-19’s effect on the ability to schedule a hearing or trial in California Superior Courts is changing day-to-day.
Below are some of the changes affecting civil trials and hearings that have occurred since our July Network News. We have also provided the website for each court so you can stay up-to-date on any future changes.
LOS ANGELES SUPERIOR COURT
TRIALS
On August 10, 2020 the Presiding Judge of the Los Angeles Superior Court issued a general order on civil trials as follows:
- Civil jury trials are continued until January 2021.
- All civil non-jury trials (except Small Claims and Traffic, or unless statutorily required) scheduled from August 10, 2020 to September 8, 2020 are continued until further notice.
- Civil non-jury trials shall not be set to commence before November 16, 2020
LAW AND MOTION
On August 6, 2020 the Presiding Judge stated:
“The Court has prioritized and expedited remote appearance options throughout the nation’s largest trial court system to achieve social distancing and to provide safe, convenient alternatives to in-person court appearances during the COVID-19 pandemic. By next month, WebEx and LACourtConnect (LACC), the Court-developed remote appearance solution, will be available in all litigation types throughout the Court.”
SAN DIEGO SUPERIOR COURT
TRIALS
On August 11, 2020 the San Diego Superior Court extended the dismissal of all jury service through September 11, 2020, vacating all trial dates for jury trials.
LAW AND MOTION
As of August 14, 2020 the San Diego Superior Court website states:
”COVID-19: The Court is now open for most business operations. Court hearings are limited to video or telephonic conference only.”
ORANGE COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT
As of August 17, 2020 the Presiding Judge of the Orange County Superior Court has not issued an official order on the continuation of trials. However, we have been advised that a number of individual judges are currently suspending existing trial dates.
The Orange County website currently states that the Orange County Courts are open for limited in-person services with scheduled appointments.
SAN FRANCISCO SUPERIOR COURT
https://www.sfsuperiorcourt.org/
The last COVID-19 related order on the San Francisco Superior Court website is the April 30, 2020 General Order vacating trial dates through June 20, 2020.