COVID-19 Update from LA Superior Court – What Happens To My Civil Case Currently Pending?

Immediately below this message is the March 16, 2020 update from Presiding Judge Kevin C. Brazile regarding the changes to our civil court system amid the Covid-19 pandemic.  Things are going to slow down and that includes cases and settlements.  Trials and trial dates are factors that go into every settlement decision insurance companies and corporations make.  Right now, trials are getting pushed out 30 days, which means a “domino effect” delay that will occur to cases more “downstream” from those that are being set now or set to go in 30 days.

Discovery will continue but depositions are being taken off calendar as well and for the moment until the dust settles.  Thus, Gholian Law Group will continue working up our pending cases and continue our case evaluation for all new and prospective cases. We will continue pushing cases forward while at the same time, do our part to practice safe social distancing.

SUPERIOR COURT OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY TO SCALE DOWN OPERATIONS EFFECTIVE MARCH 16, 2020

Presiding Judge Kevin C. Brazile today announced the Court will begin scaling down operations today to achieve social distancing in all 38 courthouses. Additional public protection measures will be evaluated and announced today or Tuesday.

“As the largest trial court in the nation, the Superior Court of Los Angeles County is methodically scaling back non-essential court operations as part of a phased approach,” Presiding Judge Brazile said. “We will continue to provide services for the most vulnerable in our communities and remain open to handle criminal matters subject to statutory deadlines.”

Over the weekend, Presiding Judge Brazile notified the Judges of the Los Angeles County bench that:

• No new jurors will be summoned for any Civil or Criminal jury trials for the next 30 days;
• The trial Judge for any jury trial in session may exercise his or her discretion to either continue the trial or declare a mistrial;
• The trial Judge for any non-jury trial in session may exercise his or her discretion to either continue the trial or declare a mistrial; and
• Self-help centers will be closed tomorrow, except for telephone assistance with restraining order preparation by calling (213) 830-0845.
• Judges were encouraged to consider ways to achieve social distancing in their courtrooms by offering telephonic appearances and other strategies to reduce courtroom traffic; and

Here are some additional updates:

• Additional signage, which is attached to this news release, will be posted beginning tomorrow on courthouse entry points and on courtroom doors advising the public about restrictions on entering our courthouses or courtrooms;
• The Court’s website homepage (www.lacourt.org) has been updated with a new COVID-19 news center at the top of the page;
• The Court will continue to communicate updates on its Twitter page; The Court continues to emphasize the importance of staying home when you are sick and frequent, proper hand-washing; and The Court expanded its custodial cleaning program and has made sanitizing products available throughout courthouses in response to CDC and Los Angeles County Department of Public Health recommendations.
• The Superior Court of Los Angeles County has 550 judicial officers and more than 4,600 permanent employees serving a diverse population of more than 10 million people. The largest trial court in the nation, the Court has 38 courthouses in 12 judicial districts located throughout the county’s 4,752 square miles.

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).