Phased Reopening of the Court: Southern Division

The United States District Court for the Central District of California has adopted the Plan for Phased Resumption of Operations (“Reopening Plan”), which consists of three phases: Phase 1 (return of certain staff to the courthouses to prepare for limited in-court hearings); Phase 2 (reopening courthouses for limited in-court hearings); and Phase 3 (resumption of jury trials).  Per the gating criteria that was adopted by the Court, local COVID-19 exposure risks in the Court’s Southern Division are decreasing, such that the transition of the Southern Division to Phase 3 of the Court’s Reopening Plan is appropriate at this time.  Therefore, the Court announces the following regarding the Southern Division’s operations.

Effective April 12, 2021:

Court Hearings

• In-court hearings will be permitted in the Southern Division in all matters at the discretion of the assigned judge.
  • Hearings by video or telephonic conference may continue to be held in civil matters at the discretion of the assigned judge.
  • Hearings by video or telephonic conference may continue to be held in certain criminal matters as set forth in Order of the Chief Judge No. 20-043, unless the findings and authorizations in the Order are subsequently terminated.

Jury Trials

• Jury trials will be permitted in the Southern Division in civil and criminal cases.
• Since jury summonses were issued starting on March 22, 2021, jury trials will commence in the Southern Division on May 10, 2021.

For information about how to view or listen to video and telephonic proceedings, please see the March 19, 2021 Notice from the Clerk.

The Court continues to monitor the COVID-19 pandemic as it evolves and will provide updates concerning the Court’s operations as adjustments are made.  Please continue to wear masks and maintain appropriate physical distancing upon entry to the United States Courthouses or Probation and Pretrial Services Offices in the Central District of California.
 

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Kiry K. Gray
District Court Executive/Clerk of Court
April 8, 2021