San Diego Superior Court California DUI FAQ after Coronavirus COVID-19 Pandemic reopening

San Diego Superior Court California DUI FAQ after Coronavirus COVID-19 Pandemic reopening

San Diego Superior Court California DUI FAQ after Coronavirus COVID-19 Pandemic reopening

1. Because San Diego Superior Court was closed for so long, there are over 87,000 hearings and appearances – plus compliance deadlines – that need to be rescheduled or extended.

   /
   “In the interest of the health and safety of all Court visitors and employees, re-scheduled hearings will be handled remotely wherever possible.”
   /
   Indoor spaces without good ventilation — such as courtrooms or schools — might accumulate much more airborne coronavirus.*
   https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/11/health/coronavirus-aerosols-indoors.html.
   /
   The process will vary for each case type and details for the manner of appearance will be included in the re-scheduling notices that will be sent to involved parties.
   /
   “Things will likely continue to be backlogged in the future.”   Expect things to be real slow.  Please try to be patient and remember to be kind.
   /
   Frequently Asked Questions During COVID-19 Pandemic:  Criminal Procedures During Emergency Conditions
   /
   The San Diego Superior Court was closed to the public for non-emergency services from March 17 – May 22, 2020.
   /
   The Court has slowly resumed some services as of May 26, 2020, though in-person services will continue to be limited in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
   /
   Q: I had a court hearing set during the Court’s closure.  When is my hearing going to be held?
   A: All criminal hearings after March 16, 2020, will be vacated. They will be reset for future hearings and
   you will be notified of the new hearing date within the next 90 days.If you receive a new hearing date for a previously scheduled hearing in the mail, please immediately forward it to your lawyer.
   /
   Q: I was supposed to submit proof of completion of a court-ordered program during the Court’s
   closure.  What should I do?
   A: The due dates for all proofs of completion due to the Court from March 17 – May 22 have been
   extended for 90 days from May 26, 2020 to August 24. If you have proof of completion you may submit it to the
   Court via mail or drop it off at the appropriate court location.Please continue to try to be current in all your obligations.  Carefully follow these instructions.
   /
   Q: I was supposed to enroll in a court-ordered program during the Court’s closure.  What should I do?
   A: Most programs have not been conducting business due to the COVID-19 pandemic. All program
   enrollment dates between March 17 – May 22 have been extended for 90 days from May 26, 2020 to August 24.
   (except per #2 below, the Public Work Service Program

2. Public Service Program extended 60 days from when Probation Dept resumes PSP:

   http://www.sdcourt.ca.gov/pls/portal/docs/PAGE/SDCOURT/GENERALINFORMATION/NEWS/NEWSRELEASES/NEWSRELEASESPART1/SDSC%20GENERAL%20ORDER%20062920-70.PDF

   formerly: 120 day extension to enroll by or provide proof
   of completion date that would have otherwise expired March 17 through June 30).

   Letter to Court for a request, an extension or re-referral, or proof of enrollment/completion:

3. If you need an extension to enroll or complete something, or to file proof, and you would rather try to not go in person for whatever reason, you can write the court.Simply explain what you specifically need.  Write neatly.

   Send a dated letter with your case number, your name, your address, any fax number & email address.

   Mail to your Superior Court after you make a copy or take a photo of the letter.

   Attach a copy of any last appearance court order and/or judgment minutes.

   Enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope to make it easier and faster for the Court to reply to your letter.
   Your Court:  Click here for the address of your court.  Your court is the same court contained in

   your original court date paperwork, notice to appear citation, or bail receipt.

   It is also the same court address as the particular Court’s Assessment Unit or Collections Unit.

   San Diego Superior Court Clerk’s Office, Central Superior Court, 1100 Union St. SD 92101 (619) 844-2400.
   Vista Superior Court, 325 S. Melrose Drive, Vista, CA 92081  8:30 am – 3:30 pm except on fridays until noon.
   Vista Assessment Unit, Suite 500  (760) 201-8505.

   Q: I have been unable to pay my court-ordered fines/set up a payment plan due to the Court’s closure.
   Will my case be referred to collections?
   A: If your date to pay was during the Court’s closure, your date is currently extended 45 days from May
   26, 2020 to July 10.  Referrals to collections are currently suspended and there is not an update as to when
   referrals will resume.  You may pay your fines via U.S. mail or express drop box.

   Please continue to monitor the Court’s website for more information.

   Click here for all San Diego Superior Court Hours and Locations.

   Vista Court Collections Unit (760) 201-8528.

   Q: I have a warrant on my case (for failure to comply or appear).  How can I get it cleared?
   A: If you currently have an active warrant on a criminal case, please contact the San Diego Superior
   Court for further direction by calling the Criminal Business Office at the appropriate location.

   Click here for instructions on what to do if there is or may be a warrant for failure to timely do something.

   Q: I submitted proof of program completion that was due during the Court’s closure.  How do I know
   if it was received?
   A: If you submitted proof to the Court during the closure, it is being reviewed now.  Please wait four
   weeks before calling/appearing to check on the status.

   Q: I am currently on probation and need to see the judge to request a modification. How can I
   schedule a hearing?
   A: Please monitor the Court’s website for updated information on setting hearing dates. You may also
   submit your request for modification in writing to the court.
   (Send letter to court with case number and self-addressed, stamped envelope).

   Please refer to the Court’s website (www.sdcourt.ca.gov) for up-to-date information.

4. Public Work Service Program extensions because of COVID-19.  San Diego Probation Dept. FAQ:“Have any other Probation services been suspended?

IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM MADD CALI

8.  San Diego Superior Court has resumed most services as of May 26, 2020, though in-person services will continue to be limited in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

San Diego Superior Court California DUI FAQ after Coronavirus COVID-19 Pandemic reopening

 General Frequently Asked Questions During the COVID-19 Pandemic: San Diego Superior Court Services Resumed on May 26, 2020

Q: Now that the Court has resumed services, should I come in-person for any court-related needs?
A: Not necessarily.
The COVID-19 pandemic is still of great concern and one of the best ways to prevent
the spread of the disease is to avoid in-person contact. Many of the Court’s usual activities will be
handled online, over the phone or through video conference. Please see the FAQs for your case type
for more details on what can be handled remotely. Emergency-related needs can still be accessed in-person.

Q: What precautions are being taken by the Court to reduce the risk of COVID-19 community spread?
A: For one, the Court is still limiting the number of people who are actually entering the courthouse to
those who need emergency services. Several additional steps are being taken:

• The Court is actively working to convert in-person services to remote, online, video and
telephone services, allowing the public to conduct business without coming to the courthouse.

• All Court visitors and employees are asked to maintain social distance and are required to wear
a mask.

• Everyone will be screened by temperature reading before entering any Court facility, in
accordance with the County’s Health Order. This includes the public, justice partners, other
agencies, employees and judicial officers. Temperature checks will be conducted by the Sheriff’s
Department using a no-touch forehead thermometer.

• Plexiglas barriers have been installed at business offices that previously did not have them.

• High-touch surfaces (door handles, elevator buttons, countertops, etc.) are on an increased
cleaning schedule.

• Additional hand sanitizer dispensers and kiosks throughout court facilities.

Q: Do I still have jury duty?
A: Jury trials are not being scheduled at this time. Please look for future jury duty notices in the mail.

Q: I had a pending hearing during the Court’s COVID-19 closure. How do I re-schedule?
My hearing was on the calendar for after the Court’s re-opening. Is it still happening?
A: This depends on your case type.
Please click to the San Diego Superior Court FAQs for your relevant case type for more
detailed answers.

Courts across California have been impacted by COVID-19.

Fortunately the 135 judges and 1200 employees at the downtown San Diego Superior Court have essentially remained safe.

They want to keep the public safe, too; that’s why reopening is slow.  2,700 jury trials to reschedule; maybe they’ll do like 2 in October.  The goal of a vaccine remains.

New DUI:

If arrested for a new DUI in San Diego, you may not go to jail.  You may be given a notice to appear citation.  That’s one less risk of becoming infected.

If you go to jail, you may be released without having to post bail.  Previously, $2,500 was common bail for a first offense non-injury DUI in San Diego.

Visit here for a San Diego DUI Attorney Specialist Referral asap.

Click here for “San Diego California DMV Updates for Coronavirus COVID-19.”

San Diego Superior Court California DUI FAQ after Coronavirus COVID-19 Pandemic reopening