Napa County Superior Court To Reopen: What To Know

NAPA, CA — The Napa County Office of Emergency Services announced Friday that Napa County Superior Court is set to reopen Monday. Amid the coronavirus pandemic, the court has been closed or operating on a lean schedule since March 18.

That is set to change beginning at 8 a.m. Monday, when all services are restored.

Here is a list of things Napa County Superior Court officials say you need to know:

• If you are sick, do not come to the court. Anyone who appears sick or demonstrating COVID-19 symptoms will not be permitted to enter any court facility.
• You must wear a mask or face covering to enter a court facility and when you cannot maintain six-feet physical distancing from other court users or staff.
• Prepare for the potential of long lines and extended wait times. The court has implemented and will enforce social distancing requirements. Please observe all signage.
• Check the online Court Calendars to confirm when and where your hearing is scheduled before coming to the courthouse. Many cases have been rescheduled multiple times and you may have the option to participate via telephone or video appearance.
• All in-person hearings will be heard in the Criminal and Historic Courthouses. The Juvenile Courthouse will remain closed.
• Self-help service will be available by appointment and offered by phone or video every weekday from 8am to 4pm. Call 707-299-1137 or email Selfhelp@napa.courts.ca.gov to schedule your appointment for forms and other assistance.
• Pay traffic tickets here. If you need to make payment arrangements, please call 707-299-1160.
• If you have been called for Jury Service, please check your status here or call 707-299-1150 for more information. Jury service is expected to begin on June 15.
• Research and records terminals will be limited by capacity and time limit, please plan accordingly and look-up case information using the court's Case Information Access System.
• Drop boxes are available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at both the Criminal and Historic Courthouses. The court encourages you to file items by drop box to avoid significant wait times at clerk offices.

Expanded Use of Technology to Conduct Court Business

During the recent closure, the court has pursued the expanded use of telephonic and remote video to conduct mandatory court hearings, such as in-custody arraignments and juvenile hearings. These efforts have been in coordination with the Napa County justice system partners and have been driven by the need to follow social distancing guidelines through reduced foot traffic in the courthouse.

As part of the restoration of services, the court is continuing to pursue the expanded use of remote video, in several other court calendars, primarily covering the following areas:

• Criminal: Felony, Misdemeanor, and Criminal Settlement Conferences
• Family Law: Master Calendar (Represented and Unrepresented), Ex Partes, and Child Support

Civil and probate cases are being heard by remote proceedings when possible. All upcoming mediations are being rescheduled for telephonic and video appearances. Self-help services are now offered by appointment only with phone and video options.

To continue to support social distancing, the court encourages remote participation but will also continue to provide in-person access as needed.

Jury Service

Jury service resumes Monday, June 15. The court says it has implemented various health and safety protocols, such as requiring face coverings and installing hand sanitizer stations, in addition to social distancing measures to limit the amount of people in any given court area.

Trials are scheduled to minimize the number of jurors needed for selection. Potential jurors who are sick, exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms, or are a high-risk individual, will be excused from service upon proof. Those who've received a juror summons can check jury duty status here or call 707-299-1150 for more information.

Any other questions can be sent via email to the Court Executive Office at Executive Court.Administration@napa.courts.ca.gov.