San Diego Courts Reopen to the Public Following COVID-19
When the COVID-19 pandemic began, San Diego courts momentarily shut down before slowly rolling out remote services to keep the criminal justice system moving. During that time judges, court staff, attorneys, and even clients appeared for hearings virtually on Microsoft Teams instead of the old school way: in person, in the courthouse.
But now we are back. When the state lifted many of its COVID-19 restrictions and precautions in mid-June, the San Diego courts followed suit. As such, the courthouses are now officially open for business.
Members of the public are permitted to come and observe most hearings, and no one is required to wear a mask if they are vaccinated. In-custody clients are being transported from the local jails to court for their hearings, and their attorneys are expected to be physically present, as well. If someone wants to plead guilty to a felony offense—whether they are in or out of custody—they will likely be required to do it in person, too. However, many judges are continuing the option for remote services under certain circumstances, like for clients that are out of custody pending trial.
What has resulted is an interesting mixture of in-person and virtual court appearances. A courtroom may have an in-person arraignment one minute, followed by a hearing the next minute where the attorneys are beaming in by videoconference on a TV mounted to the courtroom wall.
As the policies and procedures implemented by each judge and courthouse change with each passing day, it is more important than ever to have a qualified, experienced criminal defense firm in your corner to help guide you through the process. If you or a loved one are facing criminal charges in San Diego and want to learn more about what to expect during the criminal process, give us a call at (619) 295-3555 to schedule a case evaluation today.
The contents of this article and blog are for meant for informational and marketing purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. Viewing and/or use of the blog does not form an attorney-client relationship. No statements in this post are a guarantee, warranty, or prediction of a particular result in your case.
Author Bio
David P. Shapiro, the managing partner and founder of a leading San Diego criminal defense firm, is driven by an unwavering commitment to providing the best possible representation to his clients facing criminal charges. With a deep understanding of the fear, uncertainty, and concern for one’s future that his clients experience, David approaches each case with empathy and dedication, advocating tirelessly for their rights and freedoms.
Focused on complex and high-stakes cases, David handles a wide range of serious charges, including felonies, violent crimes, sex crimes, drug offenses, and white-collar crimes. Since establishing his practice in 2010, David has earned a reputation as one of San Diego’s most respected criminal defense attorneys.
His firm has been recognized by LawFirm500 as one of the nation’s fastest-growing law firms and was a 2022 Better Business Bureau Torch Award for Ethics Winner. The San Diego Business Journal named David’s firm the 17th Fastest Growing Private Company in San Diego from 2019-2021 and recognized David as one of San Diego’s 500 Most Influential People in 2022. With a strong dedication to his clients and community, David continues to be a driving force in the San Diego legal landscape.
Recent Posts
PRACTICE AREAS
Facing Criminal Charges in San Diego?
Here’s what you need to know to regain control of your future
