Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye Ordered all the courts of the state of California to immediately adopt new rules to address the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Here are some salient points to note:
- All jury trials are suspended and continued for 60 days. Courts may conduct a trial using a remote technology when appropriate.
- Periods to begin criminal and civil trials are extended for 60 days, though courts may conduct trials using remote technology when appropriate.
- Superior courts are authorized to adopt any proposed rules or rule amendment intended to address the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic to take effect immediately, without advance circulation for public comment.
Furthermore, there has been a tolling of the statute of limitation for many cases, so you don’t have to worry about your case.
Moreover, the Judicial Council of California has created the Pandemic Continuity of Operations Working Group, which will collect the best practices inside and outside the judicial branch.
The group plans to publish by early June its collection of best practices and guidance from federal, state, and local entities to help them address interrupted services in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.