SALINAS, California (March 17, 2020): Following guidelines provided by the County of Monterey’s “shelter in place” orders effective Wednesday, March 18 at 12:01 AM, and in accordance with Governor Gavin Newsom’s March 12, 2020 Executive Order N-25-30 in response to the spread of the Novel Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) mandating compliance with state and local public health officials to control the spread of COVID-19, the Superior Court of California, County of Monterey has suspended all non-essential functions starting March 18, 2020 through April 3, 2020.
All clerk’s office functions will be closed to the public while the order remains in place.
Felony In-Custody Arraignments and Juvenile In-Custody matters will continue to be heard; and essential internal court operations (not involving direct physical contact with the public or justice partners) will continue to some extent. Court personnel will be exempt from the Monterey County “shelter in place” for Monterey County residents, as they are needed to perform essential services to the community.
The Court has also applied for an emergency order from the Chief Justice that will provide relief from statutory timelines during this emergency.
Prospective jurors who have received notice to report during the weeks of 3/16, 3/23, and 3/30 will be excused from service and must not report to Court.
Presiding Judge Julie R. Culver said, “The COVID-19 emergency presents an extraordinary and unprecedented challenge to the Court. We are taking this extraordinary measure out of concern for the health and safety of the public we serve as well as everyone who visits or works in one of our court facilities. We anticipate this emergency will continue to evolve over the coming days and weeks; and the Court’s response will continue to evolve accordingly.”
View the full notice here.
