Santa Cruz county has suspended all jury trials until at least April 17th. That includes not only criminal and civil cases, but probate cases as well. Court officials are instructing people who received a jury summons to disregard those for now. The court has also suspended the collection of fines across all cases until at least May 1st, and they have provided a 60-day extension for people to complete their community service hours. The only matters the Santa Cruz county court is dealing with these days are ones that have statutory time obligations.
The cases the court expects to continue to process involve juveniles detained for criminal conduct, minors requiring protection from abusive or drug-addicted parents, elders subject to physical or financial abuse, emergency protective orders, gun violence restraining orders and other threats that pose immediate threats to public safety.
Anyone with an upcoming court date is encouraged to contact their attorney for guidance. The clerk’s offices at both the Santa Cruz and Watsonville courthouses are remaining open to the public for now….as is the Self-Help Center in Watsonville, and the Law Library in Santa Cruz. For up-to-date announcements and information from Santa Cruz County Superior Court, people can go on-line to SantaCruzCourt.org.
