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California Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye on Monday issued a statewide order suspending all jury trials in California's superior courts for 60 days and allowing courts to immediately adopt new rules to address the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The measures aim to continue essential court services while guarding the health and safety of the public, court employees, attorneys, litigants, judicial officers, law enforcement, and staff and inmates in detention facilities.

Amid COVID-19 pandemic, the deadline to hold criminal trials has been extended a total of 90 days.  

"The judicial branch is prepared to work with the Governor and the Legislature as we all try to maintain services for the public we serve," the Chief Justice said. Read her full statement.

Since April, the state Supreme Court rolled a large screen television into its San Francisco courtroom to conduct oral arguments.

The Judicial Council of California will not vote today on whether to end two emergency rules governing evictions and judicial foreclosures, after Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye announced she suspended the vote.

The Judicial Council voted to end the COVID-19 emergency bail schedule, as California begins a phased re-opening and courts restore services shuttered due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"We in the judicial branch will do our best to serve the public in these unprecedented times of a global pandemic and recession," Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye said.

The Judicial Council voted to end two temporary emergency rules governing evictions and judicial foreclosures, to stay in effect through midnight Sept. 1.

On October 21, Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) hosted a virtual Conversation with Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakakuye.

Four emergency measures will be rescinded effective April 30, governing extensions of time for preliminary hearings and civil trials, the use of technology, and fast-tracking local court rules.