Public safety challenges presented by coronavirus

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.