Advisory on COVID-19 and Court Operations: No new statewide emergency order at this time

Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye, Chief Justice of California issued guidance Monday for local courts making decisions amid the Coronavirus pandemic. Read the order here

Below is a partial list of the available resources:

Emergency rules of court — Beginning April 6, 2020, the Judicial Council began adopting a series of temporary emergency rules of court to assist courts in continuing to provide access to justice during the pandemic. The emergency rules currently in effect can be found here.

Pandemic Continuity of Operations Resource Guide — The resource guide was compiled by the Pandemic Continuity of Operations Working Group, with the support of Judicial Council staff, and includes information outlined by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and best practices from the National Center for State Courts as well as other courts across the state and country. Accompanying the resource guide are many materials from federal and state agencies, the National Center for State Courts, and several superior courts.

Emergency orders under Government Code section 68115 — Government Code section 68115 allows a presiding judge to seek authority, as needed, from the Chief Justice, in my capacity as Chair of the Judicial Council, to extend statutory deadlines in some but not all proceedings, among other relief. (These emergency orders can be found here, arranged by court.)

Advisories — Six advisories issued since March 2020 suggest best practices for court proceedings and operations, including for responding to individuals with behavior issues, civil matters, videoconferencing, and cybersecurity.