Sonoma — Justice Partner Joint Statement Regarding Public Safety in the Sonoma County Courts

Source: https://sonoma.courts.ca.gov/sites/all/assets/pdfs/general-info/Joint%20Statement%20Sonoma%20County%20Justice%20Partners%2010.8.21%20FINAL.pdf

Superior Court of California County of Sonoma Arlene D. Junior Court Executive Officer/Clerk of the Court/Jury Commissioner

ACCESS, SERVICE, JUSTICE

Sonoma County Justice Partners’ Joint Statement Regarding Public Safety in the Sonoma County Courts

October 8, 2021

On Tuesday September 21st, the Sonoma County Superior Court was notified by the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Department that a deputy who had recently worked as a bailiff in the criminal courts had tested positive for the Covid-19 virus, potentially resulting in court personnel, and members of the public being exposed to the virus. Immediately thereafter, the Court contacted the Sheriff’s Department in an effort to ensure they provided proper notification to staff and the public. The following day the Sheriff’s Department informed the Court that another employee of their department, that also had worked in the criminal courthouse, had tested positive for Covid- 19. Once again, the Court made best efforts to ensure proper notifications were being made. Unfortunately, over the following several days, inquires made to the Sheriff’s Office on behalf of the justice partners listed on this release to determine if other Sheriff’s Department employees had tested positive for Covid-19, and whether proper notifications were being provided, were met with inaccurate or incomplete responses. Unfortunately, those inquiries went unanswered. Yesterday afternoon the justice partners listed here learned for the first time that 9 sheriff’s deputies that had recently worked at the Sonoma County Courthouse had tested positive for Covid-19. We are writing to underscore that it is our highest priority to ensure the safety of our staff and any member of the public that accesses the Sonoma County Hall of Justice. We have done everything within our power to be transparent with the information provided to us, and to put measures in place to create a safe working environment. We further commit to continue working together as partners to do everything within our power to ensure the safety of those at the courthouse.

Sonoma County Justice Partners include the offices of the District Attorney, Public Defender, Probation, and the Superior Court.

Court Contact:
Arlene D. Junior
Superior Court of California, County of Sonoma
600 Administration Drive, Santa Rosa, CA 95403
Phone: 707-521-6500
For additional information, visit website at http://sonoma.courts.ca.gov/

Hall of Justice Empire Annex Courthouse Civil and Family Law Courthouse Juvenile Justice Center

600 Administration Drive 3035 Cleveland Avenue 3055 Cleveland Avenue 7425 Rancho Los Guilicos Road Santa Rosa, CA 95403 Santa Rosa, CA 95403 Santa Rosa, CA 95403 Santa Rosa, CA 95409