Sonoma — Addendum to First Amended Omnibus Order of the Presiding Judge

Source: https://sonoma.courts.ca.gov/system/files/5-27-2020addendumtofirstamendedomnibusorderofthepj.pdf

FILED I MAY 2 7 2rJ2A 2 of of Califomia,

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5 SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA 6 COUNTY OF SONOMA 7

8 IN RE: COURT OPERATIONS DENDUM TO F{RST AMENDED 9 MNIBUS ORDER OF THE PRESIDING l0 E

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l3 On April 28,2020, the Court filed and issued a First Amended Omnibus General Order t4 Court Operations. The introductory paragraphs and recitals of that document are incorporated

l5 herein by this reference as if fully set forth in this document.

t6 Essential functions of the Superior Court at this time are limited to proceedings that are

t7 required to comply with defendants' constitutional rights, protect the health and safety of Court employees, parties and address jail population concerns.l8 Accordingly, and for the foregoing reasons, under the authority granted to me by the 19 Chief Justice in her orders pursuant to Government Code, section 68115 dated March 16,2020 20 and March 30,2020, and her statewide orders dated March 23,2020 and March 30, 2020,and for 2t good cause, this Court HEREBY FINDS AND ORDERS AS FOLLOWS: 22 In order to fulfill its constitutional and statutory requirements for judicial services to

23 litigants and parties who have legal matters pending, the Sonoma County Superior Court will 24 expand operations and open nine additional courtrooms in the criminal division on June I,2020.

25 Out of concern for public health and safety due to the COVID-19 pandemic, until further

26 notice only those persons with court hearings in criminal actions and jurors shall enter a

27 Sonoma County Superior Court facility on the day of the hearing or trial. However, remote

28 attendance is strongly encouraged when appropriate. Persons who are permitted to enter for

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I criminal proceedings shall include parties and counsel for parties, victims, jurors and witnesses

2 subject to subpoena. Witnesses shall enter the courthouse only on the day for which the witness

3 is providing testimony. If any person permitted to enter into a courthouse building violates any

4 rule of entry they shall be subject to immediate removal from the courthouse premises. With the

5 exception of court personnel, no other persons shall be permitted to enter without a showing of

6 individual good cause.

7 Further, out of concern for public health and safety due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is

8 necessary to limit the size of calendars to a hard cap maximum in each of the courtrooms to

9 comply with current Shelter in Place Orders of the Sonoma County Health Officer, the Govemor

l0 of the State of California, and the President of the United States. Thus, many cases have been re- ll noticed to new court dates. Operational details will be provided through public announcements

t2 on the Court's website and press releases.

l3 The Sonoma County courthouse buildings remain closed to general visitors and casual

t4 observers including family and friends of litigants, of victims and of witnesses, until further

l5 notice.

r6 All persons coming to the courthouse will be required to check in and participate in a

17 health screening protocol before being cleared to proceed into the building.

l8 It is so ORDERED.

t9 20 Dated: 1"^^* \1 . aDlo J 2t BRADFORD J. DEMEO PRESIDING JUDGE 22 SONOMA COLINTY SUPERIOR COURT

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