El Dorado County Superior Court limiting access in response to COVID-19

EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. - Due to the current public health crisis, the El Dorado County Superior Court will be limited access to courthouses, effective immediately. They currently plan to resume normal operations on April 17, 2020, though with the rapidly unfolding coronavirus situation, this could change.

Courtrooms will be practice social distancing, including at least two seats between people in the gallery. Members of the public are strongly discouraged from attending court proceedings unless they are statutory support persons or those who have been subpoenaed.

Jury duty summons for dates from March 16 through April 16, 2020, are vacated and people will be re-summoned in the future.

Pending Criminal Matters

Any prior order to a defendant to appear for a pretrial proceeding in a misdemeanor case scheduled between March 17 through April 16 is rescinded and counsel cans, and should, appear for clients in those proceedings.

The Court will accept Penal Code section 977 waivers executed out of court for a defendant with a pending criminal matter who is out of custody and has an appearance from March 17 through April 16 to facilitate continuances. The Court will accept faxed/electronic signatures but counsel must certify their client has signed the form. Special rules in place for those who cannot sign the 977.

All time-waived preliminary hearings, court trials, contested hearings and jury trials pending from March 17 through April 30 are vacated. The Court will reset all hearings to a future date. Counsel can contact the calendar clerk for more information.

Jury Trials

All jury trials of any kind scheduled from March 17 through April 16 are canceled due to the elimination of public gatherings ordered by County, State and Federal authorities. Misdemeanor, felony, and jury trial time waived cases will have a trial setting conference held on or after April 17.

All Other Pending Criminal Appearances and Hearings

All out-of-custody no-time waiver cases with appearances scheduled from March 17 through April 16 will be held as planned. Counsel are encouraged to agree to continue matters to a date beyond April 16.

Non-calendared walk-in add ons to the schedule will not be allowed.

All other criminal matters with appearances set between this time period will be reset no sooner than April 17 or to a date agreed upon by all parties.

Pending Civil Matters

No personal appearances will be permitted for cases scheduled from March 17 through April 16 for civil, probate law and motion cases.

All hearings for unlawful detainers and foreclosure injunctions will be heard as scheduled. Also going ahead as scheduled are conservatorships, guardianships, and LPS.

Small Claims Trials will be reset.

Petitions for Civil Harassment Restraining Orders that are set to expire during this 30-day period will not expire and a Judge will set a new time for trial.

Law and Motion, Trials, Long Cause and Shore Cause hearings will get a new date for after April 17.

Pending Family Matters

Self Help Center is closed to in-person meetings but they are available by email and phone.

Child Custody - The court mandates all counseling appointments to be held by telephone only.

Department of Child Support Services - All hearings will be reset. If an emergency a judge can review.

Law and Motion, Trials, Long Cause and Shore Cause hearings will be reset after April 17. Domestic Violence Restraining Orders will not expire during this time.

Veteran's Court, DUI, Adult Drug Court, Behavioral Health Court - Appearances are vacated during this time and will resume at their usual days and times effective April 17.

Family Wellness Court/Tribal Court - Appearances are vacated between March 17 and May 5.