By Law Offices | Felicia Yates & Associates
There is no doubt that the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has fundamentally altered the way that all Americans go about their daily lives - and the California court system is no exception.
The various Superior Court locations we serve throughout the State of California are beginning to open back up, with certain limitations & restrictions, subsequent to the statewide closure of the entire California court system. For example, the San Bernardino County courts were completely shutdown - with the exception of emergency proceedings - for approximately ninety (90) days, and are just now starting to gear back up for regular operations.
Generally speaking, everyone who enters a Superior Court building will now be required to adhere to the following policies:
1) Wear a face mask at all times (which completely covers your nose and mouth);
2) Maintain a social distance of at least six (6) feet;
3) Only parties and their attorneys are currently allowed to enter the courthouse - witnesses must wait outside the court building until their appearances are needed;
4) Family and friends of attorneys, parties, witnesses, etc. are being asked not to attend court proceedings at this time.
One California county court system recently posted the following COVID-19 notice: "Those feeling ill and experiencing flu-like symptoms, have a fever, are coughing or sneezing, should not come to the courthouse. Contact your attorney or the court for [further] assistance." You do not want to be deemed a failure to appear (FTA) or to be placed in an FTA status. Therefore, if you need to make alternative arrangements, you should always contact the court clerk's office for the court location you are assigned, as well as your attorney (if you are represented by legal counsel) ahead of your scheduled court appearance.
The Barstow Superior Court and the Fontana Superior Court, both part of the San Bernardino County Court system, began holding their first court proceedings since the COVID-19 shutdown, starting on Monday, June 8, 2020. In the meantime, the number of cases on some of the court's daily calendars will be reduced in size. The Fontana Superior Court recently sent out a public notice indicating that the traffic infraction calendars will be limited to a total of no more than sixteen (16) cases during any single calendar or court proceeding. We can remember the days when certain Superior Court judges would have routinely allowed as many as one hundred (100) traffic infraction cases, or more, on a single day's calendar. Many court locations are calendaring new routine proceedings as far out as sixty (60) to ninety (90) days, due to the backlog of cases, and procedural limitations the courts have put in place which are designed to protect people from exposure to COVID-19.
The
court clerk's offices throughout San Bernardino County (which includes
Barstow Superior Court and Fontana Superior Court) will also be limiting
their public contact hours to Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. until further notice.
Since everyone's case is unique to that individual and the specific circumstances, you should consult with a competent attorney to determine your best course of action. Our office has expertise in this area of the law, and we encourage you to reach out for a free consultation. Attorney Felicia Yates has been practicing law for over 35 years in California and may be contacted at (702) 817-4661, via e-mail at attorneyfeliciayates@gmail.com, or via website at https://www.attyfeliciayates.com.
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