PLACER COUNTY, CA (MPG) - The Superior Court of Placer County is announcing changes to its operations, due to the recent increase in the spread of COVID-19 in Placer County and several neighboring counties. On

November 17, 2020, the State Department of Public Health moved Placer County to the more

restrictive “Purple Tier” of the Blue Print for a Safer Economy. This move highlights a substantial

transmission of COVID-19 in our local community. Based on that factor, along with increasing case

rates during the current week since that announcement, and the 90% increase in hospitalizations in

the month ending November 6, 2020, the court is announcing changes in court calendars,

postponements of some hearings, and a move to additional remote proceedings.

These updates will take effect November 23, 2020.

The court is announcing that:

ï,· The court will postpone all traffic infraction and non-traffic infraction pre-trial and post-trial

matters set November 23, 2020 through January 31, 2021 to an available date at least 16

weeks from the currently scheduled court date. This includes all pay or appear dates for

traffic infractions.

ï,· The court will postpone all traffic misdemeanor pre and post-trial hearings set November 23,

2020 through January 31, 2021 to an available date at least 16 weeks from the currently

scheduled court date.

ï,· The court will postpone all traffic infraction and non-traffic infraction trials set November

23, 2020 through January 31, 2021 to an available date at least 12 weeks out.

The court will handle misdemeanor cases as follows:

o All in-custody matters will remain as set.

o All arraignments, trial assignment hearings, and trials will remain as set.

o All driving under the influence and domestic violence misdemeanor hearings not

specifically noted above that are set between November 23, 2020 and December 31,

2020 are postponed 12 weeks. Defendants are ordered to appear on a date 12 weeks

from their scheduled hearing. The court will provide notice. Defendants and

sentenced individuals must comply with all existing orders related to their release,

probation, parole, post-release community supervision, or mandatory supervision

including any criminal protective orders.

o All misdemeanor hearings, excluding driving under the influence, domestic violence,

and traffic cases, not specifically noted above that are set between November 23,

2020 and December 31, 2020 are postponed 12 weeks. Defendants are ordered to

appear on a date 12 weeks from their scheduled hearing. The court will provide

notice. Defendants and sentenced individuals must comply with all existing orders

related to their release, probation, parole, post-release community supervision, or

mandatory supervision including any criminal protective orders.

Family centered case resolution six month and twelve month conferences set November 23,

2020 through January 31, 2021 will be dropped from calendar. All 18 month family centered

case resolution conferences will remain as set.

ï,· Family Law trials and other matters set from the family law trial assignment calendar,

excluding contempt proceedings and matters involving domestic violence, will proceed by

mandatory video appearance effective November 23, 2020 through January 31, 2021. Parties

are required to upload all evidence to the court’s evidence sharing platform prior to their

court date. Parties unable to appear via remote technology must request an in-person

appearance (PL-CV014 Personal Appearance Request Form), subject to judicial approval.

Please see the court’s remote appearance website for more details

http://www.placer.courts.ca.gov/RAS.shtml .

ï,· Family Law mandatory settlement conferences will proceed by mandatory video

appearance, effective November 23, 2020 through December 31, 2020. Parties unable to

appear via remote technology must request an in-person appearance (PL-CV014 Personal

Appearance Request Form), subject to judicial approval. Please see the court’s remote

appearance website for more details http://www.placer.courts.ca.gov/RAS.shtml .

ï,· There is no change to the mandate for remote appearances in most family law non-trial

matters.

ï,· All small claims cases will continue to be held by video appearance. Parties unable to appear

via remote technology must request an in-person appearance (PL-CV014 Personal

Appearance Request Form), subject to judicial approval. Please see the court’s remote

appearance website for more details http://www.placer.courts.ca.gov/RAS.shtml.

Although the court removed the mandate for remote appearances in most civil and probate

hearings effective October 1, 2020, appearances in these hearing types will remain strongly

encouraged. Remote appearances are still required in family law and certain other civil and

probate hearing types. Please see the Court’s Emergency Local Rules for details.

ï,· Jury trials may continue to be heard, but will be limited to the critically necessary criminal

and civil trials.

ï,· Court trials in civil and criminal matters will continue to be heard.

ï,· Juvenile justice and juvenile dependency matters will continue to be heard primarily through

remote appearances. Please check with your attorney for further information.

Individuals with pending traffic citations do have the following options to address their pending

matters:

ï,· Online Traffic Payments: Individuals may pay their fines online via the court’s website at

http://www.placer.courts.ca.gov/online-case-access.shtml.

ï,· Request a Trial By Written Declaration: Individuals may request that their trial proceed by

written declaration. Requests can be made online at

https://webportal.placerco.org/eCourtPublic/ .

ï,· Sign Up for Traffic School: Individuals may choose to participate in traffic school. Please

visit https://webportal.placerco.org/eCourtPublic/ for more information and to determine if

your case is eligible.

ï,· Ability to Pay: Anyone who is unable to pay their traffic fine may complete and submit

Judicial Council Form TR-320 (https://www.courts.ca.gov/documents/tr320.pdf) to the

Court.

The court will continue to hear all felony, family law, and civil hearings as currently set.

In addition to the above, the following additional restrictions remain in effect:

ï,· Remote appearance is available, upon request, for most pre-trial criminal hearings. Remote

appearance for preliminary hearings is subject to judicial approval.

ï,· eDelivery is mandatory in family law and civil cases for attorneys and represented parties.

Unrepresented parties are encouraged to use the eDelivery system. For more information on

eDelivery and how to use the eDelivery system, please visit

http://www.placer.courts.ca.gov/online-edelivery-access.shtml.

o The court anticipates moving to a new eFiling system in late-2020 or early-2021.

Please watch the court’s website for updates.

The State Department of Public Health has mandated face coverings for anyone entering a

public building, including courthouses. Physical distancing protocols have been

implemented in the courthouses.

ï,· The court’s Self-Help Center has discontinued most in-person services. Please visit the Self-

Help Center page on our website to schedule a telephone or video appointment. The court

has added limited in-person services for landlord-tenant matters on a temporary basis. The

court has also introduced a new live chat pilot on its website. Please check the court’s

website for service hours http://www.placer.courts.ca.gov/self-help-lhc.shtml.

ï,· Modified practices remain in effect for those called to jury service. For more information,

please visit:

http://www.placer.courts.ca.gov/public_notice/COVID/QAJury%20Duty_Eff.%205%2028

%202020.pdf.

The court reminds members of the public that they should only come to the courthouse for official

court business or to observe a court hearing. The court continues to strongly discourage individuals

who do not have an active role in court hearings from attending court at this time. However, court

proceedings will remain open to the public and media who choose to attend.

If you believe you are sick, or are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or any other

communicable disease, please contact the Court Clerk’s Office at 916-408-6000 for further

information. If you have an attorney, contact your attorney first before calling the court.

Defendants who have posted bail are encouraged to discuss the bail issues with their attorney

and the bail bonding company.

For information on specific cases, please visit the court’s website or call 916-408-6000.