Kern — STO-24-0013

Source: https://www.kern.courts.ca.gov/system/files/forms-and-filings/court-standing-order-sto-24-0013.pdf

FILED KERN COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT 12/5/2024

BY _______________________Hinojosa, Ana DEPUTY

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA

IN AND FOR THE COUNTY OF KERN

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11 IN RE: PUBLIC ACCESS TO MISCELLANEOUS NO.: STO-24-0013 COURTROOMS12

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14 THE COURT HEREBY FINDS AND ORDERS AS FOLLOWS:

15 This order is issued under the authority of California Rules of Court rule

16 10.603(a)(1), which authorizes the presiding judge to establish policies and allocate

17 resources in a manner which “promotes access to justice for all members of the

18 public, provides a forum for the fair and expeditious resolution of disputes, maximizes

19 the use of judicial and other resources, increases efficiency in court operations, and

20 enhances service to the public." (Cal. Rules of Court, rule 10.603(a)(1).)

21 For the misdemeanor arraignment calendar, the Court’s policy established in

22 April 2023 regarding the doors remaining open should be consistently followed by

23 court, county, and sheriff’s department personnel. Once the doors to the courtroom

24 hearing the misdemeanor arraignment calendar are opened to allow out-of-custody

25 defendants to enter, the doors are to remain open to allow the public to view the

1 STANDING ORDER — PUBLIC ACCESS TO COURTROOMS Page

proceedings inside the courtroom. Even though the presiding judicial officer may not

take the bench immediately, proceedings are still occurring that the public can view

(e.g., advisal of rights video prior to the misdemeanor arraignment calendar, etc.).

After all defendants present first enter the courtroom and are directed to sit,

available seats may be occupied by members of the public. Once opened, courtroom

doors are to remain unlocked until the misdemeanor calendar concludes for that

session.

If, for health and safety or security reasons, this policy cannot be followed on a

particular day or session, the sheriff deputies shall notify the presiding judicial officer,

10 who may in the exercise of their discretion enterthe reasons for this in the record.

11 Pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure section 575.1, California Rules of Court,

12 rule 10.613, and Government Code section 68070, et seq., the Court intends to

13 prepare a proposed local rule that further adopts the policy established in April 2023

14 and this standing order. The Court anticipates consideration and adoption of the local

15 rule by July 1, 2025.

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17 THIS ORDER IS EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY.

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19 Dated: Decemberg 2024.

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21 J. Eric Brad aw, Presiding Judge Kern County Superior Court 22

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