FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Monday, June 14, 2021: The Superior Court of Alameda County (Court) announces the physical reopening of all courthouses and restoration of additional in-person services beginning June 15, 2021.  Details here and below.

Consistent with Governor Newsom’s “Beyond the Blueprint” plan, the Superior Court of Alameda County (Court) announced today that it will reopen all courthouses to the public and restore additional in-person services beginning June 15, 2021.

On March 17, 2020, the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and related shelter-in-place orders required the Court to close its courthouses to the public. Since that date, Court services have been provided almost exclusively through remote access. However, in recent months, improving COVID-19 conditions in Alameda County have enabled the Court to gradually restore in-person services.

On June 8, 2021, for the first time since the establishment of the tier system, Alameda County moved to the “Yellow Tier,” easing some COVID restrictions. On Friday, June 11, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) issued an order that, among other things, mandated new face covering requirements effective June 15. In addition, the tier system will be eliminated. As an employer, however, the Court is required to comply with regulations issued by Cal/OSHA. Thus, all who enter court facilities will be required to wear a face covering at all times and maintain social distancing until such time as the current regulations are modified by Cal/OSHA or through executive action.

Just as court operations have consistently followed public health guidance, on June 15, with the greatly improved health conditions in Alameda County and throughout the State, the Court will continue and significantly expand its in-person reopening efforts.

Specifically, starting on June 15, 2021, the following clerk’s offices will physically re-open to the public for in-person services from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday (with the exception of Friday, June 25):

• Rene C. Davidson Courthouse (RCD), 1225 Fallon Street, Oakland (Criminal).
• Wiley W. Manuel Courthouse, 661 Washington Street, Oakland (Criminal and Traffic).
• East County Hall of Justice, 5151 Gleason Drive, Dublin (Criminal and Traffic).
• Fremont Hall of Justice, 39439 Paseo Padre Parkway, Fremont (Criminal, Traffic).
• Juvenile Justice Center, 2500 Fairmont Drive, San Leandro (Juvenile).

Telephone services will continue to be offered during those business hours, and drop boxes will be available at each of the above locations from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. every day.

Then, starting June 21, the following services will be offered at the Berkeley Courthouse (Probate), RCD (Civil and Appeals), George E. McDonald Hall of Justice (Records) and Hayward Hall of Justice (Civil, Family), with the exception of Friday, June 25:

• In-person clerk’s office hours: 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
• Drop box hours: 2:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
• Telephone hours: 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

The Court asks all who visit court facilities not to enter if they have been diagnosed with COVID within the last 10 days, if they live or have had “close contact” with a COVID-positive person within the last 14 days, or if they have any symptoms of COVID. Litigants and members of the public can continue to access the Court’s services remotely, as explained on the Court’s dedicated COVID-19 web page.

The Court looks forward to continuing to expand its in-person court offerings while also
maintaining remote access to our Court to the extent permitted by public health and safety
guidelines and other applicable authorities. Please continue to check our website and follow
@AlamedaSuperior on Twitter for the most current information.

6.18.21: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – The Contra Costa Superior Court is making changes to is masking and social distancing policies effective Monday, June 21, 2021.  Please see this announcement  for further information.