How will Fresno, Merced, Madera and Tulare county courts handle coronavirus precautions?
Central San Joaquin Valley courts are altering their schedules, suspending programs, and reducing the number of people inside its buildings in an effort to reduce the spread of the highly contagious coronavirus (COVID-19).
Federal, state and local health officials have urged the public to avoid large gatherings of 50 people as a way to limit the potential exposure to the virus. And often crowded Valley courtrooms are no exception, lawyers said.
Superior courts throughout the state, including Los Angeles, Santa Clara and San Diego, have already taken measures to reschedule cases, shut down certain court functions and postpone the start of new trials.
Valley court officials have followed suit, with Fresno County among the last in the region to issue a mitigation plan.
Fresno County
Fresno County Superior Court’s media coordinator issued a statement Tuesday night, saying the court was requesting an emergency order from the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court to slash the number of courtrooms it uses from more than 40 to no more than seven. The Fresno court operates out of four courthouse locations.
“The Court will handle only essential legal matters during this time. Persons having business before the Court should visit the court’s website for specific details,” the statement said.
Lawyers were frustrated that it took the county so long to take some action.
“Today I was in court with inmates, lawyers, court staff and the public, all cramped together,” said attorney Scott Baly, treasurer of the Public Defender’s Union. “There is no room for social distancing in the courtroom, no room for social distancing in the stair well, and no room for social distancing in the elevator. This is ridiculous.”
Absent of court-issued guidelines, Fresno Judge Jonathan Conklin on Monday gave jurors in the trial of Kori Muhammad murder trial some extra room. Jurors sitting in the jury box had one empty seat in between them. And the rest of the jury sat on the long cushioned benches in the audience area, three per bench.
The coronavirus pandemic has killed thousands worldwide and has taken hold in the United States with more than 4,200 cases identified and 75 deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Valley has recorded six cases of COVID-19.
Tulare County
Other central San Joaquin Valley counties have already slowed down their operations. In Tulare County, officials have made several changes, including postponing all civil trials scheduled to start between Tuesday, March 17, and Friday, April 17 to a future date.
All time-waived misdemeanor and felony jury trials set between Tuesday, March 17 and Friday, April 17, 2020, will be also be continued.
Jury service will be required for only essential trials and jury panels will be handled in smaller groups.
The service counters will be closed to the public effective Tuesday, March 17 through Friday, April 17. Increased availability of phone, email, and drop box options will be available. Payments will be accepted online, by telephone or drop box.
Madera County
Madera County announced on Monday it will continue felony jury trials in which a time waiver has been entered and the defendant is out of custody. Cases scheduled between March 17 and April 3 will be moved forward eight weeks from their scheduled date.
The same eight-week continuation schedule also will apply to all out-of-custody criminal arraignments scheduled between March 17 and April 3. Madera County Superior Court has listed all of the changes on its website.
Merced County
Court officials in Merced County have created changes similar to Madera County’s by postponing the start of new trials for eight weeks. This applies to all civil trials and time-waived felony out-of-custody jury trials scheduled to start between Tuesday, March 17, and Tuesday, April 28, 2020.
Attorney’s and the public are also strongly encouraged to file documents electronically or through e-mail. And if possible, make court appearances telephonically or through CourtCall.
Kings County
So far, Kings County has not made any major changes, other than providing disinfectant and sanitizers to court staff to keep workstations and public counters clean.
“At this time, we are maintaining normal Courtroom Operations; however, the information regarding the coronavirus is fluid and as it changes, we will continue to meet to review our situation,” said Michelle Martinez, court executive officer, Kings County Superior Court.
This story was originally published March 17, 2020 at 6:30 PM with the headline "How will Fresno, Merced, Madera and Tulare county courts handle coronavirus precautions?."
