A statewide order suspending all jury trials in California’s superior courts for 60 days was issued Monday, and the Los Angeles County Superior Court issued a new general order limiting court access to authorized persons only in response to the coronavirus pandemic, officials said. 

In addition to suspending jury trials, the order from California Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye also allows courts to immediately adopt new rules to address the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Courts cannot comply with these health restrictions and continue to operate as they have in the past. Court proceedings require gatherings of court staff, litigants, attorneys, witnesses and juries, well in excess of the numbers allowed for gathering under current executive and health orders,” said Cantil-Sakauye. “Many court facilities in California are ill-equipped to effectively allow the social distancing and other public health requirements required to protect people involved in court proceedings and prevent the further spread of COVID-19.”

Courts have been deemed “essential services” under Governor Gavin Newsom’s stay-home executive order, and as such are expected to remain in operation.

More locally, an order from Los Angeles County Superior Court Presiding Judge Kevin Brazile has limited access to county courts to judges, commissioners, court staff and authorized persons until further notice.

“In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the court has taken numerous measures to protect the public it serves, as well as its staff and judicial officers, while fulfilling its statutory duties,” said Brazile. “In so doing, the court is committed to implementing measures recommended by the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (DPH), and that are consistent with our obligation to maintain a safe workplace.”

The order also called for the closure of several courts, including the Sylmar Juvenile Courthouse for three days and the Beverly Hills, Catalina and Spring Street Courthouses until further notice.

Brazile’s order further extended the state’s suspension of trials to any and all criminal or civil jury or non-jury trials until further notice.

Brazile was able to issue the order with the emergency powers previously conveyed to him by California Chief Justice Cantil-Sakauye.

A second statement was also issued by Brazile’s office Monday, announcing that a judge assigned to a dependency department in the Edmund D. Edelman Children’s Courthouse notified the court of having symptoms consistent with COVID-19. 

While the judge in question has yet to be tested, the court has asked the affected judge and court staff to self-quarantine, and has notified the agencies and attorney offices assigned to cases in the affected department

The courthouse is expected to remain open, and the courtroom and judge’s chambers have been cleaned and disinfected according to guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, according to court officials.

The full order from Cantil-Sakauye is available here, while the latest updates from the Los Angeles County Superior Court are available at the top of their homepage, here.

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