- Elizabeth Larson
- Posted On
Lake County Superior Court offers update on reopening plans; trials to resume in June
The Friday update explained that the court will begin conducting in-person trials or contested hearings the week of June 15. The number of cases set on a given date and time have been limited to allow for appropriate social distancing.
The court said it will begin conducting jury trials sometime after June 22.
The court clerk’s offices will reopen to the public on June 8. The public is encouraged to continue to make use of the dropbox whenever possible to avoid person-to-person interaction.
Court officials said numerous types of other hearings will continue to be done via videoconference.
The court severely curtailed operations beginning in mid-March when separate shelter in place orders were issued by Lake County Public Health Officer Dr. Gary Pace and Gov. Gavin Newsom, as Lake County News has reported.
Both of those shelter in place orders remain active as aspects of reopening are underway.
“Even as reopening begins, the COVID-19 pandemic continues and it is apparent that social distancing, limits on gatherings, and mandatory face coverings will remain in place for weeks and, in some form, potentially months to come,” court officials said in a Friday statement.
Officials said the court provides an essential government service and that it has taken “significant steps” in an effort to comply with the Public Health officer’s order and to protect court users and staff from the spread of COVID-19.
As the court prepares to reopen and begin providing in-person services to the public, court officials have limited the number of cases on the calendar, will require social distancing in court facilities, and continue to handle matters via remote means whenever possible.
In accordance with the Public Health officer’s May 21 order, the court will require face coverings for anyone entering a court facility.
Remote court hearings
The court will continue to hold the following hearings by remote appearance only. 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, 8:18 a.m./1:30 p.m., Department 4.
– Civil harassment restraining order calendar, Tuesdays, 8:15 a.m., Department 4.
– Trials and contested hearings.
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 begin the week of June 8. This calendar will 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 sometime after June 22, when necessary. If you receive a jury summons for a date after June 22, 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. Additional details are provided with the jury summons.
Clearlake Branch operations: Small claims/traffic/unlawful detainer
The Clearlake Branch will begin holding court calendars beginning June 22. Unlawful detainer cases will be set in compliance with Statewide Emergency Rules 1 and 2.
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 707-994-4612, or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for assistance.
All Judicial Council forms may be found here.
As the situation is quickly evolving, the court said it will keep the public up to date on its website.
Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.