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Lake County Superior Court to continue remote proceedings in July; jury trials set to begin
The court, like the rest of Lake County, was impacted when on March 18 Lake County Public Health Officer Dr. Gary Pace issued a countywide shelter in place order that went into effect the following day due to COVID-19. On March 19, Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an executive order ordering all Californians to stay at home.
While those two orders remain in place, the court and other sectors of the community have begun to slowly reopen, implementing social distancing, limiting the size of gatherings while Pace and the governor have issued separate orders requiring face masks.
Court officials said significant steps have been taken to comply with Dr. Pace’s orders and to protect court users and staff from the spread of COVID-19.
As part of its reopening plan, officials said the court has limited the number of cases on calendar, will require social distancing in court facilities, will require face coverings and will continue to handle matters via remote means whenever possible.
Remote court hearings
The court will continue to hold the following hearings by remote appearance for the month of July.
All attorneys and parties must appear by phone/video as directed by the court. The court will provide instructions for the remote appearance.
Hearing dates for the following calendars will remain as presently set:
– Daily in-custody criminal arraignments.
– Juvenile detention hearings.
– Felony law and motion, Department 3, Tuesdays at 8:15 a.m.
– Sentencings, Department 3, Mondays at 1:30 p.m.
– Misdemeanor disposition/setting and motions, Department 1, Mondays at 8:15 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
– Misdemeanor settlement conferences, Department 1, Tuesdays at 1:30 p.m.
– Civil law and motion, Department 2, Mondays at 9 a.m.
– Civil case management, Department 2, Mondays at 10:30 a.m.
– Conservatorships, Department 2, Mondays at 1:30 p.m.
– Probate, Department 2, Mondays at 2 p.m.
– Department of Child Support Services Family Support, Clearlake Branch Tuesdays at 9 a.m.
– Domestic violence restraining orders, Department 2, Tuesdays at 8:15 a.m.
– Family law and motion, Department 2, Tuesdays at 10 a.m.
– Juvenile delinquency and dependency calendars, Mondays, 8:15 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., Department 4.
– Civil harassment restraining order calendar, Tuesdays, 8:15 a.m., Department 4.
– Civil settlement calendar, Tuesdays, 9 a.m., Department 4.
Trials and contested hearings
The court will continue conducting in-person trials or contested hearings which will be direct set for Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.
The number of cases set on a given date/time have been limited to allow for appropriate social distancing.
Felony law and motion, preliminary hearings
The felony law and motion calendar will be held by remote appearance. However, out-of-custody defendants ordered to appear will be required to attend in person.
Preliminary hearings will continue to be held in person.
Misdemeanor arraignment calendar
The misdemeanor arraignment calendar will continue to be held in person. The number of cases set on a given date/time have been limited to allow for appropriate social distancing.
Jury trials
The court will begin conducting jury trials July 8, 2020, as necessary. If you receive a jury summons for a date after July 8, you are required to appear.
Steps have been taken to minimize the risk to jurors, including reducing the number of jurors who are summoned to appear at one time.
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 excusal process and precautions will be provided with the jury summons.
Clearlake Branch Operations: Small claims/traffic/unlawful detainer
The Clearlake Branch will continue to hold court calendars in-person. The number of cases set on calendar have been limited and staff will limit the number of people who enter the building to ensure proper social distancing.
Self-Help Center
The Self-Help Center will continue to provide service by remote means only. Litigants can contact the Self-Help Center by phone at 707-994-4612, or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for assistance.
Court clerk’s offices
The court clerk’s offices continue to be open to the public daily from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The public is encouraged to continue to make use of the drop-box whenever possible, to avoid a person-to-person interaction.
The court will continue to issue updates at its website at www.lake.courts.ca.gov .
All Judicial Council forms may be found at https://www.courts.ca.gov/forms.htm .