Loading…
24 verbatim requirements from document (unlisted) [unlisted] AOSC20-32.
20th Judicial Circuit. Procedural information only; not legal advice.
Verbatim from https://www.ca.cjis20.org/pdf/AOSC20-32.pdf, harvested 2026-07-25; whitespace normalised only. • In the report, the Workgroup recognized that: a) the COVID-19 situation remains dynamic and that the requirements, benchmarks, and guidance may have to be modified by a subsequent administrative order as more information regarding the pandemic and best practices becomes available; b) local community needs and resources and the specific public health conditions by county are important considerations that may have a direct bearing on the implementation of the requirements, benchmarks, and guidance; c) funding and the availability of certain equipment and supplies may impact the readiness of a court to move to Phase 2; d) justice stakeholders must feel confident that their safety and welfare are the primary considerations on which decisions are made; and e) the requirements, benchmarks, and guidance should be no broader than necessary to protect public health and safety while fulfilling the court system’s responsibilities for the administration of justice. • Court reopening protocols and practices shall be guided by Centers for • In order to transition to Phase 2 and expand in-person activities in a manner consistent with AOSC20-23, Amendment 2,2 each appellate court and each trial court must have met the five benchmark criteria provided in the report3 and must have developed an operational plan addressing, at a minimum, implementation of the requirements identified in the report.4 In developing its operational plan, the court shall consult with judges, court administrators, justice partners, county administrators, other building occupants, if any, and county health departments or local health experts. • A copy of the operational plan, once finalized by the chief judge or chief justice, shall be filed with the Office of the State • This order shall remain in effect until amended or terminated by subsequent administrative order of the chief justice. • Court reopening protocols and practices shall be guided by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations and align with guidance provided by county health departments and local medical professionals. • Precautions and safeguards necessary in one area of the state may not be necessary, appropriate, or feasible in another. • To the extent possible, courts shall continue to use technology of all types (such as teleconferencing, videoconferencing, or other means) to facilitate the remote conduct of proceedings as an alternative to in-person proceedings. • The following benchmark criteria4 must be met prior to any court transitioning from • Prior to expanding operations beyond Phase 1 as outlined in AOSC20-23, as amended, each court shall develop an operational plan. • Further, the court must ensure that its plan addresses all requirements discussed below and may wish to also address the guidelines specified below in that plan. • The following requirements provide the key elements that must be included in each court’s operational plan. • In developing the operational plan, courts shall consult with judges, court administrators, justice partners, county administrators, other building occupants, if any, and county health departments or local health experts. • To the extent possible, consistent with Supreme Court administrative orders or similar guidance, all proceedings shall occur remotely (such as by teleconferencing, videoconferencing, or other means) unless litigants or other court participants are unable to successfully participate in a remote hearing for reasons beyond the court’s control. • If they present symptoms, they must remain home and should consult their doctor or other medical professional. o Require all others entering the courthouse to undergo health screening with a required temperature check. • Persons who have a fever of 100.4 degrees or greater, answer affirmatively to any of the symptoms in Question 1, or answer affirmatively to Question 2, 3, 4, or 5 shall not be allowed to enter the facility. • The screening shall include the following questions: Question 1: • Social distancing guidelines shall be established and strictly enforced during Phases 1 and 2. • Hygiene Protocols and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) o Establish and enforce hygiene protocols, such as hand washing and covering coughs and sneezes. o Post readily visible signage6 throughout the courthouse reminding individuals of hygiene protocols, including hand washing, as well as social distancing, directional guidance and any changes to processes due to the pandemic. o Establish guidelines for the purchase and use of hand sanitizer and PPE. Hand sanitizer should be widely available throughout the courthouse, including inside courtrooms. Face masks are required for everyone entering the courthouse building, with no exceptions. • Face masks shall be worn at all times throughout the courthouse building, including inside the courtroom. • Judges and court staff do not have to wear a mask in their private chambers or office as long as social distancing is possible. • If they do not have a private office, and ample social distancing is not observed, a mask should be worn while at their desk. • If visitors do not have a face mask, one should be provided to them at no cost. • Face shields or other alternative face covering protocol should be a consideration for those participants involved in a court proceeding 6 Any signage used should (at a minimum) be in English and Spanish and shall comply with the Americans with • COVID-19 Workgroup - Court Operations Subgroup Recommendations P a g e | 7 where facial expressions or features must be observed or where audio is hampered and jeopardizes the creation of an accurate court record. Consider other PPE, such as gloves and face shields, for use as appropriate. • Once the plan has been finalized and approved by the chief judge, a copy shall be provided to the General Services Unit in Office of the State Courts Administrator for informational purposes.9 As the plan is updated, revised copies shall be submitted. • Facilities, Security, Queuing, Social Distancing • Clip Boards • Writing Utensils • Barricades • Stanchions • Gaffer’s or other type of tape to demark spacing • Folding tables/chairs • Radios or other communication devices • Laptop/tablet for data collection • Portable document scanners • Large format monitors 9 In current practice, courts are required to file their Continuity of Operations Plan and other emergency preparedness plans with the General Services Unit. -- 15 of 16 --
In the report, the Workgroup recognized that: a) the COVID-19 situation remains dynamic and that the requirements, benchmarks, and guidance may have to be modified by a subsequent administrative order as more information regarding the pandemic and best practices becomes available; b) local community needs and resources and the specific public health conditions by county are important considerations that may have a direct bearing on the implementation of the requirements, benchmarks, and guidance; c) funding and the availability of certain equipment and supplies may impact the readiness of a court to move to Phase 2; d) justice stakeholders must feel confident that their safety and welfare are the primary considerations on which decisions are made; and e) the requirements, benchmarks, and guidance should be no broader than necessary to protect public health and safety while fulfilling the
Reviewer note: Order PDF sha256: f4cd7f82e8f4dceba897bef5232da651c427ab7e26993714eaf172c168df5d8a. Extracted from the order's own text layer.
Judge Bell caps motions and responses at 5 pages for UMC hearings and 12 pages for special-set hearings.
Judge Alijewicz requires every motion for attorney's fees and/or costs to attach a document detailing time records — no records, no fee award.
Judge Corlew bars informal contact: every communication with the Court must be in writing, filed with the Clerk, with copies furnished to all parties — and no calls to the JA to schedule or cancel UMC.