Sonoma — Order To Continue All Pending Small Claims Matters

Source: https://sonoma.courts.ca.gov/system/files/ordertocontinueallpendingsmallclaimsmatters_8-19-2020.pdf

Sparse pages use OCR; original PDF remains authoritative.

10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 HONORABLE BRADFORD J. DEMEO PRESIDING JUDGE SONOMA COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT - 600 Administration Drive Santa Rosa, CA 95403 SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA COUNTY OF SONOMA IN RE: ORDER TO CONTINUE ALL PENDING SMALL CLAIMS MATTERS On March 16, 2020, and in consideration of the public health crisis currently affecting our state, local, national, and international communities, the Sonoma County Superior Court issued an order limiting access to the Hall of Justice, Civil and Family Courthouse, the Juvenile Justice Center and the Empire Annex. On March 16, 2020, this Court issued an emergency implementing order under the authority of the March 16, 2020 Order of Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye, Chair of the Judicial Council of California, issued in response to the March 16, 2020 request for an emergency order made by the Superior Court of Sonoma County pursuant to Government Code § 68115. On March 17, 2020, the County of Sonoma Public Health Officer issued an order directing all individuals living in Sonoma County to shelter at their place of residence except that they may leave to provide or receive certain essential services or engage in certain essential activities and work for essential businesses and governmental services to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

10 1 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 24 25 26 27 28 On March 19, 2020, the Governor of California issued an order directing all Californians to shelter in place at their place of residence except as needed to maintain continuity of operations of the federal critical infrastructure sectors to protect public health and ensure the healthcare delivery system is capable of serving all and prioritizing those at the highest risk and vulnerability. On March 23, 2020, Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye, Chair of the Judicial Council of California, issued a statewide order addressing additional issues raised by the ongoing pandemic. On March 27, 2020, this Court issued a supplemental emergency implementing order under the authority of the March 27, 2020 Order of Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye, Chair of the Judicial Council of California, pursuant to Government Code § 68115. On March 28, 2020, the Judicial Council of California unanimously approved recommendations which have been enacted statewide by Order of the Chief Justice on March 30, 2020. On April 1, 2020 this Court issued a General Order Re: Implementation of Emergency Relief Authorized by Chair of Judicial Council. On April 6, 2020, the Judicial Council adopted Emergency Rules 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11 of the California Rules of Court. On April 17, 2020, the Judicial Council adopted Emergency Rule 12, and on April 20, 2020 adopted Emergency Rule 13 of the California Rules of Court. On April 16, 2020 the Court issued Omnibus General Order of the Presiding Judge re Court Operations, and amended on April 27, 2020, with Addendum to First Amended Omnibus order of the Presiding Judge filed on May 27, 2020.

10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 26 27 28 Essential functions of the Superior Court at this time are limited to proceedings that are required to comply with defendants’ constitutional rights, protect the health and safety of parties and address jail population concerns. Protection of public health and safety in connection with the COVID-19 threat has resulted or is expected to result in significant interference with Superior Court services and proceedings. WHEREAS, the COVID-19 international pandemic has impacted the Sonoma County Superior Court (“Court”) in significant and unprecedented ways such that extraordinary measures are required for the health, safety and security of the Court’s employees, judicial officers and the public in general; and WHEREAS, current conditions in Sonoma County indicate elevated positivity to testing for COVID-19 and increased incidence of wide spread of the virus in our community. Accordingly, and for the foregoing reasons, under the authority granted to me by the prior orders filed and made by this Court pursuant to Government Code, section 68115,and for good cause shown, this Court ORDERS AS FOLLOWS: All small claims actions currently pending in the Sonoma County Superior Court shall be continued to a future date beginning with November 9, 2020. The clerk of the court shall cause notice of new hearing dates to be sent to all parties. Dated: val 19 S036 8 Bradford DeMeo Presiding Judge