Sonoma — Order of the Presiding Judge

Source: https://sonoma.courts.ca.gov/sites/all/assets/pdfs/general-info/signed.January.2022.Emergency%20Order.pdf

I FILED 2 JAN-qNN 3 ol of Cailfomta.

4

5

6

7

8 SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA

9 COUNTY OF SONOMA

l0 ORDER ll Order of the Presiding Judge

t2

l3 Due to the recent substantial surge in COVID-l9 Delta Variant infections, and the

t4 arrival of the highly contagious Omicron Variant, as reported by the California Department

15 of Public Health and the Center for Disease Control, action is needed to maintain a

r6 substantial level of court services to the public, to maintain access to justice for all, and to t7 keep all who enter a courthouse, including employees of the court and jurors, as safe as

l8 possible through the next 30 days. The following orders are deemed necessary by the

l9 Presiding Judge of this Court to protect the health and safety of the public and court

20 personnel:

2l IT IS HEREBY ORDERED:

22 1. All members of the public entering any Sonoma County Superior Courthouse, including a

23 remote jury selection location, shall wear a face covering at all times compliant with all

24 California State Health Orders and CAL/OSHA standards which must completely cover

25 both the nose and mouth. "Face covering" means a surgical mask, a medical procedure

26 mask, a respirator worn voluntarily, or a tightly woven fabric or non-woven material of at

27 least two layers (i.e., fabrics that do not let light pass through when held up to a light

28 source) that completely covers the nose and mouth and is secured to the head with ties,

ear loops, or elastic bands that go behind the head. If gaiters are worn, they shall have

I two layers of fabric or be folded to make two layers. A face covering is a solid piece of

2 material without slits, visible holes, or punctures, and must fit snugly over the nose,

J mouth, and chin with no large gaps on the outside of the face. A face covering does not

4 include a scarf ski mask, balaclava, bandana, turtleneck, collar, or single layer of fabric.

5 This definition includes clear face coverings or cloth face coverings with a clear plastic

6 panel that, despite the non-cloth material allowing light to pass through, otherwise meet

7 this definition and which may be used to facilitate communication with people who are

8 deaf or hard-of-hearing or others who need to see a speaker's mouth or facial expressions

9 to understand speech or sign language respectively. l0 2. All persons, including court employees, staff and judicial officers, shall wear a compliant ll face covering, as defined hereinabove, which must completely cover both the nose and

t2 mouth, while in all areas of the courthouses, including but not limited to, courtrooms,

13 hallways, entry locations, work stations and in all clerks offtces. t4 3. As an exception to item "2." hereinabove, any judicial officer may require a defendant in

l5 a criminal case to briefly remove or lower their mask for purposes of in court

t6 identification for the record. 17 4. Until February 4,2022, only Criminal Jury Trials in which time has not been waived

18 shall proceed to jury trial. All Criminal Jury trials not currently in progress in which t9 has been waived shall be continued to a date after March 1,2022. 20 5, All Civil Jury trials not currently in progress shall be continued to a date after March 31, 2t 2022, except cases set for jury trial with a statutory preference, or cases with a trial date

22 set within 180 days of the deadline to bring the action to trial pursuant to Code of Civil

23 Procedure section 583.310. A1l other civil matters, including guardianships and LPS

24 calendars, may proceed by remote proceeding pursuant to the provisions of CCP 367.75. 25 6. For all departments that conduct court by remote proceeding only all sessions shall be 26 made available in real time for public access to the proceeding viaZoom, unless the

27 session is a closed session according to law in compliance with CCP$ 124(b)(2). 28 7. The Sonoma County Emergency Bail schedule shall remain in effect until fuither order

the Presiding Judge.

2

I 9. Any judicial officer shall have the authority to order any person removed from the

2 courthouse for failure to follow these orders, or if the judicial officer observes COVID-

3 l9-like symptoms.

4 10. The Order of the Presiding Judge regarding Courtroom Proceedings via Zoom dated

5 November 12,2020, shall remain in full force and effect and shall apply to any and all

6 remote appearances indefinitely.

7 I 1. This Order revokes and supersedes the Order of the Presiding Judge concerning COVID-

8 l9 matters October 26,2021.

9 12. This Order shall be effective January 4,2022.

10

ll IT IS SO ORDERED.

l2

l3 Dated: January 4,2022 14 SHELLY VERILL PRESIDING JUDGEl5 l6

t7

l8

L9

20

2l

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

3