Due to the North Complex Wildfire, the Lassen County Superior Court sought and obtained emergency orders closing the court for several days and affecting timing and deadlines.
California SB776 Clears Assembly Public Safety Committee
On a 5 to 1 vote, the California Assembly’s Public Safety Committee approved SB776 which would introduce much-needed reforms related to allow review of peace officer personnel records related to abuses and crimes committed by officers in the supposed performance of their duties.
If enacted and signed into law, the bill would:
- Make every incident involving the use of force subject to disclosure;
- Remove the requirement that a complaint related to sexual assault or dishonesty be “sustained” following an investigation in order to be disclosed;
- Require disclosure of records related to sustained findings of wrongful arrests and wrongful searches;
- Force disclosure of records related to incidents involving prejudice or discrimination on the basis of specified protected classes;
- Mandate retention of all complaints currently in the possession of a department or agency;
- Compel disclosure of records relating to incidents in which an officer resigned before an investigation could be completed
- Prohibit assertion of attorney-client privilege to: prevent disclosure of information provided by the agency to its attorney, information discovered by the attorney in their investigation, and billing records related to the work done by the attorney;
- Impose a $1,000 civil fine for each day beyond 30 days that records subject to disclosure are not disclosed; and
- Award twice the amount of reasonable attorney’s fees and costs for any member of the public who successfully files suit or the release of records.
Covid-19 Notice, U.S. District Court (CA Central)
Due to a recent surge in cases in the Central District of California (Greater Los Angeles Metropolitan Area), the United States District Court has issued a notice regarding limitations on services, limited public access to non-parties in courtrooms, and the conduct of hearings. No jury trials will be held until further notice.
Siskiyou County Extends Covid-19 Emergency Orders
The Presiding Judge for the Superior Court, County of Siskiyou (Yreka, CA) applied for and received an extension of Covid-19 Emergency Orders. Among other things, the court’s emergency order will extend the time for the commencement of jury trials by up to 30 days if the last date for trial would have expired between August 3, 2020 and September 21, 2020. This order will primarily affect matters in which the defendant did not waive their statutory right to a speedy trial.
The court also prepared a local order to implement the Emergency Order.
Lassen County Allows Attorney Court Appearance via Zoom
The Lassen County Superior Court (CA) will now permit an attorney or party to an action to request to attend a court hearing by Zoom. The court’s order and request form can be found here.
