COVID-19 Information
COVID-19 Information for Specific Departments
Notices
The Court continues to practice many precautions like extra cleaning, recommended mixture of outside air, and making face masks and hand sanitizer available for people entering the courthouse. Due to the increasing number of COVID-19 cases and hospitalization in Santa Cruz County, the County Health Officer is re-instituting a face-covering requirement beginning on Monday, November 22. Face masks will be required in all Court facilities regardless of vaccination status. Face masks are available at entry points for those who need them.
June 29, 2021
Updated:
New Legislation AB 832 extends SB 91 and AB 3088 impacting Evictions, Small Claims and Civil law related to unpaid rent.
June 24, 2021
Updated:
Amended Dependency Court Standing Order COVID-19- June 24, 2021
June 21, 2021
Updated:
Updated Notice Re: Covid Protocols and Remote Appearances
March 25, 2021
Updated:
Evidence Submission for Non-Criminal Trials and Evidentiary Hearings
Presentacion de Evidencias para Juicios y Audiencias Probatorias en Casos no Criminales
March 16, 2021
CA COVID-19 Rent Relief Program
February 2021
New Legislation SB 91 extending AB 3088 impacting Evictions, Small Claims, and Civil law related to unpaid rent.
December 1, 2020
Seventh General Order Emergency Relief
October 5, 2020
New Judicial Council Unlawful Detainer forms. See COVID Civil page for more information.
September 3, 2020
Sixth General Order Emergency Relief Extending Time for Jury Trials
September 1, 2020
New Urgency Legislation AB 3088 impacting Evictions See COVID Civil page for more information.
For a plain language explanation of some of the impacts of the act see the information provided by the California Department of Real Estate https://landlordtenant.dre.ca.gov/
August 26, 2020
State Emergency Rules of Court Related to COVID-19 (includes repealed rules)
Local Emergency Rules of Court for Remote Appearances
Evidence Submission for Non-Criminal Trials and Evidentiary Hearings
Presentacion de Evidencias para Juicios y Audiencias Probatorias en Casos no Criminales
July 29, 2020
The Court is in the process of transitioning to Zoom for remote appearances. Please check the Remote Appearance page for more information.
July 28, 2020
General Order Implementing Emergency Order Jury Trials
June 19, 2020
Media Advisory - Interim Emergency Bail Schedule Issued_Santa Cruz County
June 11, 2020
Rescission of Statewide Emergency Order on: Arraignment Time Extension
June 4, 2020
Attending Your Court Hearing by Phone
June 2, 2020
Amended Emergency Rule of Court 9
May 30, 2020
Fourth General Order Emergency Relief
May 5, 2020
Third General Order Emergency Relief
April 29, 2020
April 21, 2020
April 20, 2020
New and Amended Emergency Rules of Court - see Amended Rule 8 and New Rules 12 and 13.
April 9, 2020
Unlawful Detainer Standing Order Rescinded
Emergency Temporary Bail schedule
April 8, 2020
New Emergency Calfornia Rules of Court
April 1, 2020
Second General Order RE: Implementation of Emergency Relief
March 27, 2020
All public computer terminals at the Watsonville Court, Civil (Room 110 at 701 Ocean Street), Criminal (Room 120 at 701 Ocean Street) are closed until further notice.
March 26, 2020
Changes to Superior Court Hours and Services
March 24, 2020
Family Law Court Date Continuance Notice
Emergency Standing Order Related to Unlawful Detainer Proceedings and Judgments
March 23, 2020
Changes to Superior Court Hours and Services
March 20, 2020
How to Attend Your Court Hearing by Phone
March 18, 2020
General Order RE: Implementation of Emergency Relief
March 17, 2020
In response to the continuing public safety challenges presented by coronavirus, the Superior Court of Santa Cruz County is moving towards curtailing its services to those that are essential or mandated by law to occur within a set timeframe. The Court is in the very difficult position of trying to follow public health and safety guidelines while also attempting to maintain essential services its constitutionally charged to carry out. The Court has been meeting with other justice partner agencies to craft plans to provide limited services during this very challenging time. The Court has already excused jurors ordered to report this week and is working on a plan to delay all other jury trials for the next several weeks. All traffic violation matters that were previously scheduled have also been postponed several weeks. The Court will issue notices for other hearing that it plans to postpone because of the disruption caused by COVID-19 precautions.
Although Clerk’s Office in Santa Cruz and Watsonville remain open to the public at this time, people are highly encouraged to use the Court’s online services to make payments, pay fines, or check court dates—individuals can also call the Court to seek information and avoid coming into Court. If you have an up coming court date, you should contact your attorney for guidance on whether or not you are needed to appear.
The Self-Help Center in Watsonville and the Law Library in Santa Cruz will also remain open for now understanding that conditions may necessitate further reductions in service.