LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – With Lake County’s pandemic data metrics continuing to improve, the Lake County Superior Court said this week that it is planning to roll out some operational changes.
Court Executive Officer Krista LeVier said there will be no major changes immediately, but that the court is starting to take steps to allow more court business to be conducted in-person.
Some of the changes planned include moving some trials back to the courthouse from the Lake County Fairgrounds and vacating civil jury trials in May.
Court officials have remained in contact with Public Health Officer Dr. Gary Pace regarding public safety conditions for court operations.
“The court continues in the effort to provide necessary and essential services to court users while protecting the health of all who come before or work within the court. The court will continue to limit the number of cases on calendar, require social distancing in court facilities, require face coverings and will continue to handle matters via remote means whenever possible pending further notice,” said a written statement from LeVier and Presiding Judge Michael Lunas.
The court is continuing to post updates at its website.
The following changes are planned.
In-person court calendars
Beginning April 26, the calendars below will begin (or continue) to allow in-person appearances.
Zoom appearances will be allowed for those parties or attorneys that were previously ordered to appear by remote appearance. All other calendars will remain as remote proceedings only.
– Felony settlements, Department 3, Tuesdays.
– Felony preliminary hearings.
– Felony sentencing hearings (remote appearance may be allowed by the judicial officer).
– Felony law and motion, specially set Tuesdays at 2:30 p.m.
Civil and family law court trials and evidentiary hearings
Cases set for a hearing on or after May 17 for civil and family law court trials or evidentiary hearings will be conducted in-person.
Appearances may still be made by remote means, upon request and approval of the judicial officer at the time of the setting of the trial or hearing.
The cases that have already been set for remote hearing or trial shall remain set as remote proceedings.
Criminal jury trials
The court will continue to conduct jury selection at the fairgrounds facility in all cases.
Commencing the week of May 3, criminal jury trials will be conducted at the courthouse except for cases specifically set for jury trial at the fairgrounds facility.
Jurors who are unable to serve because they are high-risk for COVID-19 related complications will be excused prior to coming to the courthouse.
Additional details about the process and precautions will be provided with the jury summons.
Civil jury trials
Civil jury trials set for the month of May will be vacated along with the associated mandatory settlement conference and trial assignment dates and will be set for case management conference for resetting.
Commencing with the civil jury trial settings for June, the trial date, mandatory settlement conference and trial assignment dates shall remain as set. A civil jury trial that’s to be conducted, as with criminal cases, will have jury selection at the fairgrounds and trial at the courthouse.
Clearlake court calendars
Department of Child Support Services Calendar
The DCSS child support calendar will continue to be conducted by remote appearances. However, beginning May 17, appearance in-person will be allowed.
Traffic calendars
All traffic calendars will continue to be conducted by remote appearance. However, beginning May 17, appearance in-person will be allowed.
Unlawful detainer and small claims calendars
Beginning May 17, unlawful detainer trials and small claims trials will be conducted in-person. However, appearances may still be made by remote means, upon request and approval of the judicial officer.
Self-Help Center
Same-day appointments will be available on a walk-in basis again on Wednesdays beginning May 19. Individuals may phone or come in-person to the self-help public counter to schedule a same-day appointment. After scheduling, individuals will leave and return at their appointment time.
Public access to self-help computer lab will also return May 17, subject to capacity limits due to social distancing.
All other calendars will continue to be conducted by mandatory remote appearance.
Lake County Superior Court reports updates to operations
- Lake County News reports
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