San Mateo County Superior Court suspends jury trials until Jan. 8
File Photo. The San Mateo County Hall of Justice in Redwood City, Calif.
REDWOOD CITY, Calif. - All jury trials in San Mateo County Superior Court have been suspended through Jan. 8, 2021, court officials announced Monday.
The order was made "Due to the significant surge in COVID-19 cases statewide, the corresponding orders for residents to stay-at-home," and an emergency order from state Supreme Justice Tani Gorre Cantil-Sakauye.
The San Mateo court has also closed most clerk's offices to the public and suspended walk-in transactions to minimize foot traffic.
Certain in-person hearings are also suspended.
Documents filed electronically, or via mail or on-site drop boxes will still be accepted.
The Juvenile Clerk's Office at the Youth Services Center will remain open to the public.
"The closures and suspension of services are unfortunate, but are necessary to minimize public interaction and contact, which are the chief risks of community spread of the coronavirus," said Neal Taniguchi, San Mateo's court executive officer, said.
He said staffing shortages due to the state's budget crisis contributed to the suspension and curtailing of Clerk's Office services.
For more details visit www.sanmateocourt.org or contact the court at (650) 261-5016.