Pamela Cruz. Peninsula 360 Press [P360P].
Following a significant increase in COVID-19 positive cases throughout California, the San Mateo Superior Court has ordered a suspension of jury trials beginning this Monday, December 14 and ending Friday, January 8, 2021.
The emergency order issued by the Chief Justice of the California State Supreme Court details that the San Mateo Superior Court has also closed most of its clerk's offices to the public and all walk-in transactions to minimize foot traffic on the premises.
The court is also suspending certain types of in-person hearings, the county said in a statement.
The document states that the Court will continue to accept and process documents filed electronically, delivered to on-site drop boxes and sent by mail.
At the same time, he said, restraining orders will continue to be accepted by the clerk's offices, while telephone inquiries will only be answered on a limited basis.
For its part, the Self-Help Centre will maintain remote services for self-represented litigants through the Tribunal's LiveChat program at http://www.sanmateocourt.org/self_help/.
It should be noted that the Juvenile Clerk's Office at the Youth Services Center will remain open to the public.
Neal Taniguchi, executive officer of the San Mateo Court, stated that "the closures and suspension of services are unfortunate, but necessary to minimize public interaction and contact, the primary risks of community spread of the coronavirus."
However, the official also noted that staff shortages due to the state's budget crisis also necessitated the suspension and reduction of services in the secretary's office.
For more information on court closings and adjournments of hearings, please see the Court's website at www.sanmateocourt.orgor call (650) 261-5016.
