LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County Superior Court officials said this week that they are continuing to conduct remote proceedings and keep in place other operational adaptations to comply with state and local health orders in an effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
In mid-March, in response to county and state shelter in place orders and direction from the Judicial Council of California, the court shut down in-person proceedings and trials were put on hold, as Lake County News has reported.
Later in the spring, the Judicial Council allowed for trials to restart in June.
In the Lake County Superior Court, jury trials had been scheduled to start on July 8, but Court Executive Officer Krista LeVier told Lake County News that, to date, all cases for which trials had been scheduled to start between July 8 and this Wednesday have been resolved or the proceedings rescheduled to a later date.
Scheduling for any jury trials for the first week of August should be determined by the end of this week.
Meantime, officials said that while the pandemic persists and shelter in place orders remain in effect, the court is continuing to provide necessary and essential services to court users while protecting the health of all who come before or work within the court.
In response to public health orders, the court has limited the number of cases on calendar, requires social distancing in court facilities as well as face coverings, and will continue to handle matters via remote means whenever possible.
The following is an overview of how current proceedings are handled.
As the situation is quickly evolving, the court said it will keep the public up to date on its website.
All Judicial Council forms may be found here.
Remote court hearings
The court will continue to hold the following hearings by remote appearance until further notice. All attorneys and parties must appear by phone/video as directed by the court.
– Daily in-custody criminal arraignments.
– Juvenile detention hearings, Department 4.
– Felony law and motion, Department 3, Tuesdays at 8:15 a.m.
– Sentencings, Department 3, Mondays at 3 p.m.
– Misdemeanor disposition/setting and motions, Department 1, Mondays at 8:15 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
– Misdemeanor settlement conferences, Department 1, Tuesdays at 1:30 p.m.
– Civil law and motion, Department 2, Mondays at 9 a.m.
– Civil case management, Department 2, Mondays at 10:30 a.m.
– Conservatorships, Department 2, Mondays at 1:30 p.m.
– Probate, Department 2, Mondays at 2 p.m.
– Department of Child Support Services Family Support, Clearlake Branch Tuesdays at 9 a.m.
– Domestic violence restraining orders, Department 2, Tuesdays at 8:15 a.m.
– Family law and motion, Department 2, Tuesdays at 10 a.m.
– Juvenile delinquency and dependency calendars, Mondays, 8:15 a.m./1:30 p.m., Department 4.
– Civil harassment restraining order calendar, Tuesdays, 8:15 a.m., Department 4.
– Civil Settlement Calendar, Tuesdays, 9:00 a.m., Department 4.
– Trial assignment, Fridays, 8:15 a.m., Department 4.
Trials and contested hearings
The court will continue conducting in-person trials or contested hearings which will be direct set for Thursdays and Fridays. The number of cases set on a given date/time will be limited to allow for appropriate social distancing.
Felony law and motion, sentencing and preliminary hearings
The felony law and motion and sentencing calendars will be held by remote appearance. However, out-of-custody defendants ordered to appear will be required to attend in person. Preliminary hearings will continue to be held in person.
Misdemeanor arraignment calendar
The misdemeanor arraignment calendar will continue to be held in person. The number of cases set on a given date/time has been limited to allow for appropriate social distancing.
Jury trials
The court is prepared to conduct jury trials, as necessary. If you receive a jury summons, you are required to appear.
Steps have been taken to minimize the risk to jurors, including reducing the number of jurors who are summoned to appear at one time. Jurors who are unable to serve because they are at high-risk for COVID-19-related complications will be excused prior to coming to the courthouse.
Additional details about the excusal process and precautions will be provided with the jury summons.
Clearlake Branch operations: Small claims/traffic/unlawful detainer
The Clearlake Branch will continue to hold court calendars in-person. The number of cases set on the calendar has been limited and staff will limit the number of people who enter the building to ensure proper social distancing.
Self-Help Center
The Self-Help Center will continue to provide service by remote means only. Litigants can contact the Self-Help Center by phone 707-994-4612, or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for assistance.
Court clerk’s offices
The Court Clerk’s Offices continue to be open to the public daily from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The public is encouraged to continue to make use of the drop-box whenever possible, to avoid a person-to-person interaction.
Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
Lake County Superior Court continues remote proceedings, other adaptations during pandemic
- Elizabeth Larson
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