Lassen Superior Court limits access
Not even Lassen Superior Court is immune to changing scheduled events.
In a recent statement, the court noted some changes to the criminal matters, jury trials and other services.
“In consideration of the public health crisis currently affecting our state, local, national, and international communities, the Lassen County Superior Court will be limiting access to the courthouse effective immediately. Courtrooms will practice social distancing, with any persons in the gallery instructed to sit at least two seats apart. The Court currently plans to resume regular court operations on Monday, April 13,” read the statement.
Criminal Matters
Orders To Appear — and General Orders
- Effective immediately, any existing order to a defendant to appear in a misdemeanor case scheduled between March 23 to April 10 is rescinded. Counsel can and should appear for clients in these proceedings pursuant to Penal Code $977. This does not apply to out-of-custody misdemeanor or infraction arraignments. See below.
- Effective immediately, any out-of-custody misdemeanor or infraction arraignment scheduled between March 23 to April 10 will be reset for exactly 28 days after the scheduled appearance at the same time in the same courtroom. Should the 28th day fall during a trial week, the matter will be re-set for exactly 35 days after the scheduled appearance. Should any defendant appear on a Monday to be added onto the Add-On- Calendar, defendants matter shall be continued as stated above by the clerk and the clerk shall have the defendant sign a Release Agreement regarding notice to appear pursuant to Penal Code $ 1320. 3.
- Effective immediately and to facilitate continuances, the Court will accept $977 waivers executed out of court for an out-of-custody defendant with a pending criminal matter and scheduled appearance between March 23, to April 10.
Jury Trials
- All jury trials scheduled between March 23 and April 30 are vacated. Any person who has received a juror summons for a trial scheduled during this period will be re-summoned for a date in the future. This Order is based on a finding of good cause arising out of the Public Health Crisis declared by the County of Lassen, the Governor of the State of California, and the President of the United States of America. This Order will facilitate the court’s goal of eliminating public gatherings of large groups of people in the courthouse.
- Any party to a misdemeanor or felony no-time waived jury trial scheduled between March 23, and April 30, shall appear on Thursday, March 24, at 8:30 a.m. in Department 1 to address resetting of trial dates. Any in custody defendant shall appear via video with counsel. All attorneys are responsible for noticing their clients of the above date. Defendants may appear pursuant to Penal Code 5977 as stated above.
- Any party to a misdemeanor or felony time waived jury trial scheduled between March 23and April 30 shall appear on Tuesday, April 28 at 8:30 a.m. in Department 1 to address resetting of trial dates. Any in custody defendant shall appear via video with counsel. All attorneys are responsible for noticing their clients of the above date. Defendants may appear pursuant to Penal Code 5977 as stated above.
- Any time-waived misdemeanor jury trial scheduled between March 23 and April 30 will be re-set for no earlier than May 7.
- Any time-waived felony jury trial scheduled between March 23 and April 30 will be re-set no earlier than May 18.
All Other Pending Criminal Appearances and Hearings
- Any criminal case pending with a date to appear scheduled between March 23 to April 10 with an in-custody defendant will be conducted via video appearance.
- All infraction time-waived traffic trials set between March 23 to April 10 will be re-set for exactly 42 days after the scheduled appearance at the same time in the same courtroom. Should the 42nd day be during a trial week, the matter will be re-set for exactly 49 days after the scheduled appearance.
Self Help Centers
The Self Help Center shall close to in-person assistance between March 23 to April 10. Self-help staff will assist members of the public via email and telephone only.
Child Custody Recommending Counseling (CCRC)
CCRC shall close to in-person assistance between March 23 to April 10. CCRC will assist members of the public via email and telephone only.
Civil and Probate Matters
- Counsel in all civil and probate matters scheduled to appear between March 23 to April 10should arrange to attend via Courtcall.
- Unlawful Detainers, Foreclosure and Injunctions/Civil Harassment hearings currently scheduled shall remain as set.
- Small Claims Trials. All Small Claims trials set between March 23 and April 10 will be re-set for exactly 28 days after the scheduled appearance at the same time in the same courtroom. Should the 28th day fall during a trial week, the matter will be re-set for exactly 35 days after the scheduled appearance.
Family Law Matters
Department of Child Support Services
All Child Support Hearings scheduled for March 25 are vacated and shall be heard on April 29. All Child Support Hearings scheduled for April 1 are vacated and will be heard on June 3. All Child Support Hearings scheduled for April 8 are vacated and will be heard on May 13.
Family Law and Civil Domestic Violence
All ex parte requests and hearings on temporary restraining or temporary custody hearings shall remain as set. The Family Law Judge shall reschedule any other pending hearing as deemed appropriate.
Juvenile Law Matters
300 Hearings
All hearings shall remain as set. The 300 Hearing Judge shall re- schedule any pending hearing as deemed appropriate.
600 Hearings
All hearings shall remain as set. The 600 Hearing Judge shall re- schedule any pending hearing as deemed appropriate.
