The court continues to balance its obligations to provide access to justice with the need to protect the health of the public

The Superior Court of Placer County is announcing an extension of previously announced operational and service changes due to the impact of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

As of today’s date, Placer County remains in the red “substantial” tier in California’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy. The COVID-19 case rate in Placer County, according to data presented on the Placer County Health and Human Services COVID-19 Dashboard, has declined to fewer than six (6) cases per 100,000 people, a key metric in possible movement of the County to the less restrictive “moderate” tier.

In recognition of COVID-19 case rates in the County remaining “substantial” and of the State Department of Public Health’s announcement today that the tier system of restrictions will end on June 15, 2021, the court is announcing an extension of service and operational changes that were set to expire on May 31, 2021 to June 18, 2021.

The court continues to balance its obligations to provide access to justice with the need to protect the health of the public, parties, attorneys and justice agency staff entering our courthouses, along with the health and safety of our judicial officers, employees, and court security. The court continues to adhere to physical distancing guidelines and face covering requirements. Based on these factors, along with the remaining risk of COVID-19 variants, the court is extending the following operational and service changes:

• All small claims cases will continue to be held by video appearance through June 18, 2021.Parties are required to upload all evidence to the court’s evidence sharing platform prior to their court date. Please see the court’s remote appearance website for more details :http://www.placer.courts.ca.gov/RAS.shtml.
• Civil settlement conferences will continue to be held by video appearance through June 18,2021. Please see the court’s remote appearance website for more details: http://www.placer.courts.ca.gov/RAS.shtml.
• Family law non-trial and non-evidentiary hearings, including hearings on requests for order and family centered case resolution conferences are being conducted by mandatory remote appearance through June 18, 2021. This is an extension of existing practices. Remote appearance is mandatory. Parties unable to appear via remote technology must request an in-person appearance (PL-FL029 Personal Appearance Request Form), subject to judicial approval. Please see the court’s remote appearance website for more details :http://www.placer.courts.ca.gov/RAS.shtml.

Parties unable to appear via remote technology may request an in-person appearance (PL-FL029Personal Appearance Request Form), subject to judicial approval.

Other Important Service Information (No Changes from Current):

• Jury trials and court trials are being heard. Modified practices remain in effect for those called to jury service. For more information, please visit: http://www.placer.courts.ca.gov/public_notice/COVID/FAQ%20Jury%20Duty.pdf

Remote appearances:

• Required for most family law non-trial matters, excludes domestic violence, emergency matters, and settlement conferences.

• Required for small claims.
• Required for civil settlement conferences.
• Strongly encouraged for most civil and probate matters.
• Available, upon request, for most pre-trial criminal hearings.
• Available, subject to judicial approval, for preliminary hearings and trials in all case types.
• Used extensively for juvenile justice and juvenile dependency, check with your attorney for more information.
• Full details, including exceptions, provided in the Court’s Emergency Local Rules: http://www.placer.courts.ca.gov/general-local-rules.shtml.
• Parties unable to appear via remote technology must request an in-person appearance (PL-FL029 Personal Appearance Request Form), subject to judicial approval. Please see the court’s remote appearance website for more details: http://www.placer.courts.ca.gov/RAS.shtml.
• Parties who wish to appear using remote technology where remote appearance is not mandated, can find further information at: http://www.placer.courts.ca.gov/RAS.shtml.

eFiling is mandatory in family law and civil cases for attorneys and represented parties. Unrepresented parties are encouraged to use the eFiling system. Information on eFiling available at: http://www.placer.courts.ca.gov/online-efiling.shtml.

The court’s Self-Help Center has discontinued most in-person services. Please visit the Self-Help Center page on our website to schedule a telephone or video appointment. The court has added limited in-person services for landlord-tenant matters on a temporary basis. The court has also introduced a live chat pilot on its website. Please check the court’s website for service hours: http://www.placer.courts.ca.gov/self-help-lhc.shtml.

Traffic Announcements:

The court reminds individuals with pending traffic citations of the following options to address their pending matters:

• Online Traffic Payments: Individuals may pay their fines online via the court’s website at

http://www.placer.courts.ca.gov/division-traffic-main.shtml.

• Online Evening Traffic Hearings: The court is offering evening traffic court each Tuesday and Thursday through June 30, 2021. Details and information on how to sign up can be found at http://www.placer.courts.ca.gov/RAS-traffic.shtml.
• Saturday Traffic Court: The court is offering traffic court the first Saturday of each month in

April, May, and June, 2021. The final Saturday court will be held on June 3, 2021. Details on location, time, and how to either sign up in advance or limitations on walk-ins can be found at: http://www.placer.courts.ca.gov/division-traffic-main.shtml.

• Traffic Ticket: Quick Off-Ramp – Launched March 1, 2021, an alternative program through June 30, 2021 for individuals with a good DMV record. More information athttp://www.placer.courts.ca.gov/public_notice/Traffic%20Ticket%20OffRamp%20Flyer%202%2017%202021.pdf .

• Ability to Pay: Anyone who is unable to pay their traffic fine may complete and submit Judicial Council Form TR-320 (https://www.courts.ca.gov/documents/tr320.pdf) to the Court.

• Request a Trial by Written Declaration: Individuals may request that their trial proceed by written declaration. Please see http://www.placer.courts.ca.gov/division-traffic-main.shtmlfor more information.

• Sign Up for Traffic School: Individuals may choose to participate in traffic school. Please visit https://webportal.placerco.org/eCourtPublic/ for more information and to determine if your case is eligible.

General Announcements:

The State Department of Public Health has mandated face coverings for anyone entering a public building, including courthouses. Physical distancing protocols have been implemented in the courthouses.

The court reminds members of the public that they should only come to the courthouse for official court business or to observe a court hearing. The court continues to strongly discourage individuals who do not have an active role in court hearings from attending court at this time. However, court proceedings will remain open to the public and media who choose to attend, subject to capacity limits.

If you believe you are sick or experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or any other communicable disease, or if you are subject to quarantine due to close contact with someone who has COVID-19, please contact the Court Clerk’s Office at 916-408-6000 for further information. If you have an attorney, contact your attorney first before calling the court. Defendants who have posted bail are encouraged to discuss their bail with their attorney and bail bonding company.

For information on specific cases, please visit the court’s website or call 916-408-6000.