Sonoma — Order of the Presiding Judge

Source: https://sonoma.courts.ca.gov/system/files/orderofthepresidingjudge-01-24-2022.pdf

I FILHD 2 JAN 2 \ aliB iof of Calltotnls.

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8 SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA

9 COIINTY OF SONOMA

l0 o ER ll Order of the Presiding Judge

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l3 Due to the recent substantial surge of COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations in

t4 the County of Sonoma, and the recent Order of the Health Officer of the County of Sonoma

l5 Cl9-35, further action is needed to maintain a substantial level of court services to the public.

l6 to maintain access to justice for all, and to keep all who enter a courthouse, including

t7 employees of the court and jurors, as safe as possible through February 15,2022. The

18 following orders are deemed necessary by the Presiding Judge of this Court to protect the

t9 health and safety of the public and court personnel:

20 IT IS HEREBY ORDERED: 2l 1. All members of the pubtic entering any Sonoma County Superior Courthouse, including t 22 remote jury selection location, shall wear a face covering at all times compliant with all

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

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

25 mask, a respirator worn voluntarlly, or a tightly woven fabric or non-woven material of at 26 least two layers (i.e., fabrics that do not let light pass through when held up to a light

27 source) that completely covers the nose and mouth and is secured to the head with ties, 28 ear loops, or elastic bands that go behind the head. If gaiters are worn, they shall have two layers of fabric or be folded to make two layers. A face covering is a solid piece of

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

8 to understand speech or sign language respectively.

a compliant 9 2. All persons, including court employees, staff and judicial officers, shall wear

l0 face covering, as defined hereinabove, which must completely cover both the nose and ll mouth, while in all areas of the courthouses, including but not limited to, courtrooms,

L2 hallways, entry locations, workstations and in all clerk's offices.

a defendant inl3 3. As an exception to item "2." hereinabove, any judicial officer may require

t4 a criminal case to briefly remove or lower their mask for purposes of in court

l5 identification for the record.

been waivedl6 4. Until February 15, 2022, only Criminal Jury Trials in which time has not

t7 shall proceed to jury trial. A judge in a criminal case retains discretion to find that a case l8 is serious, violent or involves a wlnerable victim and should proceed to trial as an l9 exception to this order. All Criminal Jury trials not currently in progress in which time

20 has been waived, or in which an exception has not been found, shall be continued to a 2t date after March 1,2022.

a date after March 31,22 5. All Civil Jury trials not currently in progress shall be continued to

23 2022, except cases set for jury trial with a statutory preference, or cases with a trial date

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

25 Procedure $583.310. Code of Civil Procedure $599 shall apply to extend any deadlines to 26 the continued date that have not already passed as of March 19,2020. Parties shall appea:

27 at the date currently set for trial to obtain a new trial date.

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I 6. Civil matters, including guardianships and LPS calendars, will continue to provide the

2 opportunity to appear remotely via Zoom or in person in the courtroom in compliance

J with CCP 5367 .75. Individuals are strongly encouraged to appear remotely via Zoom.

4 be 7. For all departments that conduct court by remote proceeding only all sessions shall

5 made available in real time for public access to the proceeding viaZoom, unless the

6 session is a closed session according to law in compliance with CCP$124(bX2).

7 8. The Sonoma County Emergency Bail schedule shall remain in effect until further order of

8 the Presiding Judge.

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

l0 courthouse for failure to follow these orders, or if the judicial officer observes COVID- ll 19-like symptoms.

t2 10. The Order of the Presiding Judge regarding Courtroom Proceedings via Zoom dated

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

t4 remote appearances indefinitely.

15 11. This Order revokes and supersedes the Order of the Presiding Judge concerning COVID-

l6 19 matters January 4,2022.

t7 12. This Order shall be effective January 24,2422.

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l9 IT IS SO ORDERED

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2l Dated: January 24,2022 22 SHELL VERILL 23 PRESIDING JUDGE SONOMA COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT 24

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