COVID News Center:

Statewide emergency actions and updates on county court services and operations here.

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News Release - March 3, 2022

California Chief Justice Rescinds Temporary Emergency Measures

Four emergency measures will be rescinded effective April 30, governing extensions of time for preliminary hearings and civil trials, the use of technology, and fast-tracking local court rules.

Chief Justice

Covid-19

News Release - December 7, 2020

California Chief Justice Issues Advisory to Courts Amid COVID-19 Surge

Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye on Monday issued an advisory to leaders of California’s 58 county superior courts with guidance to continue to seek emergency orders if needed based on local conditions and ability to hold remote hearings or provide social distancing under state and local health rules.

News Release - August 13, 2020

Temporary Emergency Rules on Evictions, Foreclosures Set to End Sept. 1

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

Judicial Council

Covid-19

News Release - August 11, 2020

Judicial Council to Vote on Eviction and Foreclosure Temporary Emergency Rules

San Francisco—Judicial Council of California voting members today received a circulating order to vote by August 13, 2020, on a proposal to end the temporary emergency rules on evictions and foreclosures.

CO 20-13 Amend Emergency Rules 1-2 081120

Feature - August 11, 2020

Los Angeles Court Expands Remote Hearings to Hundreds of Criminal, Family Law Courtrooms

Audio and video hearings now available in 250 criminal courtrooms.

Los Angeles has expanded remote hearings to 250 criminal courtrooms.

Feature - August 6, 2020

Courts use Remote Technology for Community Outreach

Since the COVID-19 state of emergency issued in mid-March, courts around the state have been holding more court hearings remotely. Now courts are looking for ways to expand remote technology to support community engagement.

Feature - July 10, 2020

California Counties Keeping COVID-19 Emergency Bail Schedules

At least 31 California counties home to 80 percent of the state's residents have kept COVID-19 emergency bail schedules to help curb the spread of the virus in jails and surrounding communities during the pandemic, according to data from superior courts.

Covid-19

Bail

Superior Courts

Feature - June 30, 2020

What to Know About the Judicial Branch Budget

The budget cuts $200 million from the state court system, though $150 million could be restored if the federal government sends additional aid by the fall.

News Release - June 29, 2020

California Chief Justice Issues Statement on Budget

"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.

Budget

Covid-19

Chief Justice

Feature - June 26, 2020

Jury Service Begins for Trials Delayed by COVID-19 Pandemic

Delayed by COVID-19 for nearly three months in most parts of the state, jury trials are resuming in counties large and small.

Covid-19

Jury Duty

Superior Courts

residents stand in line on sidewalk in the sun

News Release - June 10, 2020

Judicial Council, Chief Justice End Some Emergency Measures as California and Courts Expand Reopening

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.

Covid-19

Judicial Council

News Release - June 10, 2020

Chief Justice Suspends Vote on Eviction, Foreclosure Emergency Rules

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.