(Subscription required) Presiding Judge Anne-Christine Massullo said, “Judges have held more defendants to answer to criminal charges in preliminary hearings this year — about 70% higher than last year — and the number of held to answer rulings has risen steadily since the last COVID order in May.”

(Subscription required) Trustee Elissa D. Miller told the court she currently has $19.5 million on hand that will be used to pay back other unsecured creditors, which she noted in a status report last month still has $332 million in unsecured claims.

The Superior Court of California, County of Imperial has announced that the opening of the new El Centro Criminal Courthouse located on Wake Avenue is scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 2.

PHOTOS: The California Supreme Court marked its return to hearing oral argument in Los Angeles, a tradition put on hold for nearly four years during the COVID-19 pandemic.