PRESIDING JUDGE ERIC C. TAYLOR EXTENDS JUDICIAL EMERGENCY CONTINUANCES FOR CRIMINAL

JUVENILE DEPENDENCY MATTERS IN NEW GENERAL ORDER

Presiding Judge Eric C. Taylor today announced a new General Order extending last-day deadlines for Criminal trials and specified hearings, as well as Juvenile Dependency cases, pursuant to the emergency powers granted to him by Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye under Government Code 68115.

“While the number of COVID-19 cases in Los Angeles County has decreased and the number of persons being vaccinated against the coronavirus is increasing, the Court’s priority remains safe access to justice,” Presiding Judge Taylor said. “The Court will continue to limit the number of persons in its courthouses and require compliance with mandatory mask and social distancing protocols.”

The Order, which is attached, provides emergency relief as follows:

Criminal:

  • Extends the time provided by section 859b of the Penal Code for the holding of a preliminary examination and the defendant’s right to release from 10 court days to not more than 30 court days.
  • Extends the time period provided in section 1382 of the Penal Code for the holding of a Criminal trial by not more than 30 days, applicable only to cases in which the original or previously extended statutory deadline otherwise would expire from February 27, 2021, to March 26, 2021, inclusive.
  • Extends by 90 calendar days post-conviction progress reports set on February 27, 2021, to March 26, 2021, inclusive.
  • Extends by 90 calendar days, unless statutorily required to be held sooner and the defendant does not consent to a continuance, out-of-custody Misdemeanor pretrial hearings set on February 27, 2021, to March 26, 2021, inclusive.

Juvenile Dependency:

  • Extends the time periods provided in section 313 of the Welfare and Institutions Code within which a minor taken into custody pending Dependency proceedings must be released from custody to not more than seven (7) days, applicable only to minors for whom the statutory deadline would otherwise expire from February 27, 2021, to March 26, 2021, inclusive.
  • Extends the time periods provided in section 315 of the Welfare and Institutions Code within which a minor taken into custody pending Dependency proceedings must be given a detention hearing to not more than seven (7) days, applicable only to minors for whom the statutory deadline would otherwise expire from February 27, 2021, to March 26, 2021, inclusive.

The Court also orders:

Courthouse Access and Remote Appearances:

In the interest of safeguarding the well-being of court users and enforcing social distancing, persons seeking services from the Clerk’s Office, court support services, and/or the Self-Help Centers must have a prescheduled appointment. For telephone or video assistance, or to schedule an appointment, the telephone number for each courthouse is listed at the courthouse entry and posted on the Court’s website, www.lacourt.org.

Access to LASC proceedings is governed by General Order 2020-GEN-025-00 issued on November 23, 2020.

Face Coverings:

In accordance with Amended General Order 2021-GEN-009-02 issued on February 25, 2021, all persons are required to wear face coverings over their nose and mouth while in a courthouse. Persons whose disabilities preclude them from wearing face coverings compliant with the California Department of Public Health Guidance Concerning the Use of Face Coverings issued on June 18, 2020, are urged to seek an accommodation under Rule 1.100 of the California Rules of Court in advance of their court appearance or appointment.

These health and safety requirements are part of the Court’s Here For You | Safe For You initiative, which provides numerous protective measures to operate courthouses safely, including offering services that allow court business to be conducted remotely. Whether appearing by phone, from home, the office, or coming to the courthouse, the Court provides safe, efficient options to access justice. The Court’s remote courtroom appearance technology options promote social distancing by reducing the number of people appearing in person.

Information on Here For You | Safe For You can be found here on the Court’s Twitter page (@LASuperiorCourt).

View the full notice here.
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