No social distancing in this packed Fresno County courtroom, lawyer says
If you don’t have a pending case at any of the Fresno County courthouses, or are feeling ill with flu-like symptoms, stay home, court officials urge.
Fresno County Superior Court officials have taken several steps to limit public access to the county’s four courthouses as a way to reduce the public’s potential exposure to coronavirus.
But some argue it’s not enough and say at least one courtroom was still packed with people on Thursday.
The county’s two largest courthouses, at 1100 Van Ness Ave. and 1130 O Street, will now have triage centers where visitors must stop to find out if their case is being heard.
In the main courthouse on Van Ness, the public will be sent to the B-1 level where court staff will confirm if their case is going forward, and if so, what courtroom will hear the case. Court officials warn most cases will be continued to a later date.
A similar plan is taking place at the B.F. Sisk courthouse on O Street where court staff will tell visitors if their case is being heard and in what courtroom. Like the criminal cases, most will be continued, officials said.
And if you don’t have to be at the courthouse, chances are you won’t be let in.
“Only individuals with business with the court should come to court. Please do not bring any friends or family with you; they will not be able to attend the court proceeding and, in many instances, they will be asked to exit the buildings,” court officials said in a statement.
Jury duty
If you have been called for jury duty, don’t report to the courthouse unless directed. Call the number on your jury summons to get the latest information.
The court is closing several departments and services, including archives, traffic department, in-person help at the Self-Help Center and the Children’s Waiting Room. Also, all clerk offices in the B.F. Sisk courthouse will be closed.
Packed courtrooms
Lawyers at the main courthouse on Thursday said that while they saw fewer people in the hallways and elevators, the courtrooms still operating were packed.
“There were fewer defendants than usual, but there was no social distancing,” said defense attorney Eric Schweitzer. “It was unacceptably packed.”
Health officials have urged the public to avoid close contact with others, especially those who are sick. The virus is spread mainly by person-to-person contact.
Schweitzer said there were about 40 people in Department 30 on Thursday morning and it’s one of the smallest courtrooms in the building.
Lawyer Brian Andritch said he didn’t understand why the court was consolidating cases into just one or two courtrooms.
“Now you are packing all these people together into a courtroom and that seems counterintuitive,” he said.
Others have proposed shutting the courthouse down for a few weeks to reduce the risk of possible exposure.
Call for more digital technology
Sabrina Ashjian, a public interest attorney, said the court should be increasing its use of digital technology to allow court business to continue without having to appear in person. She said allowing people to come to court, even on a limited basis, is risky.
“On a good day the courtrooms are full, now with fewer courtrooms people are packed like sardines and that is the exact opposite of what the department of public health is asking us to do,” Ashjian said.
She also suggested that the court, jail and district attorney’s office should look at releasing low-risk inmates to reduce the potential for an outbreak in the jail.
Schweitzer agreed, saying he is concerned that the jails are not prepared. In Santa Clara County two jail inmates are in quarantine after they were visited by an attorney who tested positive for coronavirus. As a result, six inmates were released early to help slow the potential for spreading.
In Alameda County, jail officials released 247 inmates to reduce jail numbers.
“There needs to be a unified response to this, there is a blind confidence in the ability of jailers in 58 counties to appropriately prepare,” Schweitzer said. “We need preparation, because if we don’t prepare today, tomorrow may be too late. And the time to head this off at the pass is rapidly diminishing.”
DA Smittcamp opposed to releases
Fresno County District Attorney Lisa Smittcamp is not enthusiastic about releasing low-risk inmates. She said changes in criminal sentencing laws have resulted in a different crop of inmates at the county jail.
“We don’t have low-level criminals anymore,” Smittcamp said. “The caliber of inmate we have is different than what it was five years ago. We have seasoned criminals with a habit of re-offending. If the criminal element is released it becomes a question of public safety.”
BEHIND THE STORY
MOREWhat you should know about the coronavirus
The World Health Organization has officially declared the spread the novel coronavirus as a pandemic, and the virus is spreading in the United States, particularly on the West Coast.
Officials are urging people to take precautions to avoid getting sick, and to avoid spreading the disease including social distancing.
Click the drop-down icon in the upper right of this card for more information on symptoms and how to stop its spread.
What is coronavirus?
Coronaviruses are a class of viruses that regularly cause illnesses among adults and children. But, this outbreak is caused by SARS-CoV-2, a novel virus that has spawned a new disease called COVID-19. This infection can cause a particularly harsh respiratory condition and can lead to death in older individuals and those with underlying health problems.
The CDC believes the COVID-19 virus spreads among humans by person-to-person contact, including via cough and sneezing. That’s why health officials urge sick individuals to avoid contact with other people. Social distancing of 6ft is recommended for everyone.
For more information, visit the website for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
What are the symptoms?
Corona means crown, and the virus has little spikes that help it attach to your respiratory system. Symptoms are similar to the flu and include congestion, coughing, shortness of breath and a runny nose. But, it can worsen causing pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome and death.
How can I stop the spread of the coronavirus?
How does it spread?
We’re still learning about this infection. Things are changing constantly. The spread seems to be from bigger droplets, coughing, sneezing on your hands and then touching your eyes, your nose or mouth. The influenza virus can last on surfaces for 24 hours. For this virus, we are still learning how long it can last but it may be as long as 48 to 72 hours.
And what you can do to help stop the spread:
Practice social distancing, and definitely stay home if you’re ill. Wash your hands regularly with soap and water, and cover your coughs and sneezes.
If you develop symptoms similar to the coronavirus, you should stay home from work or school and avoid contact with others. It can take up to 14 days after coming into contact with the virus to develop symptoms.
Taking precautions is the best way to stop the spread of the coronavirus. For more on how it spreads, watch this video.
Note: No public health agency has recommended that the general public wear masks to stave off infection. Here are more public health recommendations:
- Practice social distancing
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If you really can’t get to soap and water, then use a hand sanitizer that has at least 60 percent alcohol.
- Can’t wash your hands right away? Avoid touching your mouth, nose and eyes as these are areas where the pathogens can invade your body.
- Practice cough hygiene with covering your mouth when you cough or sneeze, either using a disposable tissue or into your clothed elbow. Throw used tissues in the trash right away.
- If you are sick, stay at home. If you develop respiratory symptoms contact your doctor for advise and to determine if you need to go for care or viral testing. Call ahead before seeing medical care at a doctor’s office, clinic or emergency department, as they’ll need to separate you to help protect others.
- ChrisAnna Mink, Modesto Bee, and McClatchy staff
