Siskiyou — Standing Order re Atty Interview Rooms in Court Holding

Source: https://www.siskiyou.courts.ca.gov/system/files/general/standing-order-re-atty-interview-rooms-court-holding.pdf

SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA COUNTY OF SISKIYOU 411Fourth Street Yreka, California 96097

Dated: September 14, 2022 Hon. Karen L. Dixon, Presiding Judge

STANDING ORDER RE: ATTORNEY INTERVIEW ROOMS IN COURT HOLDING

Whereas it is the intention of the court to facilitate speedy access to justice and the resolution of cases, and whereas this intention is not realized if the flow of the court's calendars is interrupted due to the failure of counsel to meet with their incarcerated clients prior to court appearances; and

Whereas the courthouse interview facilities are limited and were not intended for purposes of extended attorney client meetings and discussions immediately prior to court appearances; and

Whereas the extended use of the courthouse interview facilities for such purposes immediately prior to court appearances negatively impacts the ability of the correctional staff to move incarcerated persons safely and efficiently through the courthouse as necessary for the court's needs; and

Whereas such extended use of the courthouse interview facilities further negatively impacts the jail and correctional officers by increasing the need for additional correctional officers to be called upon to facilitate the safe and efficient movement of incarcerated persons within the courthouse, thereby decreasing the presence of correctional officers at the correctional facility, and increasing the risks to correctional staff and inmates at the correctional facility; and

Whereas the jail has no less than two sanitized attorney/client interview rooms in addition to the means for attorneys to safely and privately meet with their clients remotely by both electronic and telephonic means;

It is ordered that the use of the courthouse facilities for client interviewing, meeting, and/or discussions with incarcerated parties without the express consent of the judicial officer presiding over the subject calendar is prohibited. Except for last day arraignments, any requests made for such use of a courthouse interview room shall be made orally in open court. The presiding judicial officer has discretion to allow the use of the courthouse interview room after having considered the need for the efficient flow of the court calendar, the safety needs of correctional officers and incarcerated persons, and whether the matter would be better trailed to later in the calendar day or some other time to allow counsel to meet with his/her client at the jail. The correctional staff shall not allow access to courthouse interview rooms without court approval. /

Dated: September 14, 2022 Presiding Jud,

CC: District Attorney's Office Public Defender's Office Joseph Ahart Siskiyou County Jail