PRESIDING JUDGE KEVIN C. BRAZILE: CRIMINAL TRIALS, PRELIMINARY HEARINGS, ARRAIGNMENTS CONTINUED UNTIL MAY 29, 2020
Presiding Judge Issues Implementation Order of Chief Justice’s
March 30, 2020 Emergency Order
Time Deadlines for Arraignments,
Preliminary Hearings and Trials Extended
Presiding Judge Kevin C. Brazile announced today the implementation of the Emergency Order issued by Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye on March 30, 2020, that was in response to Governor Gavin Newsom’s executive order issued on Friday, March 27, 2020, and the unanimous action taken by the Judicial Council of California (JCC) on Saturday, March 28, 2020.
Presiding Judge Brazile said: “The continuous operation of our courts is essential for our constitutional form of government, for providing due process and protecting the public. Therefore, the courts must remain open.”
On March 28, 2020, the Judicial Council met in emergency session to consider the Chief Justice’s order requiring superior courts to suspend jury trials for 60 days, among other actions. The Judicial Council unanimously authorized and supported the Chief Justice issuing statewide emergency orders to extend statutory guidelines for preliminary hearings, arraignments, and last day trials, in both Criminal and Civil proceedings.
The Court will also implement, where possible, technology for telephonic and video arraignments in Misdemeanor and Felony courtrooms. Also, by next week, every Dependency courtroom should be using video WebEx for hearings.
For the latest updates on Coronavirus/COVID-19-related impacts to Court operations, please consult the Court’s COVID-19 News Center located at the top of our homepage (www.lacourt.org), and follow us on Twitter (@LASuperiorCourt).
