Condensed Review of Ventura County’s Current Court Operations
Adapted from Open Letter to Family Law Bar as written by JoAnn Johnson, Family Law Supervising Judge – Ventura County
As of March 19, 2020, Ventura County Courts is reopening with very limited services on the heels of a three-day closure caused by the coronavirus pandemic. The Court has been authorized to declare the closure period between March 16 and March 18 a holiday for purposes of calculating time.
JoAnn Johnson, Ventura County Family Law Supervising Judge, has issued an open letter to the Family Law Bar Association highlighting Ventura County Court’s specific response to the Covid-19 crisis. Although the Court has worked vigorously to implement a series of measures to avoid court closures, Judge Johnson emphasizes the importance of resolving cases through the use of mediation, voluntary settlement conferences, private judges or any other innovative process during this critical time.
The following information aims to outline how Ventura County intends to maintain family law court operations by topic.
Temporary Restraining Orders
Temporary Restraining Orders that expired during the Court’s closure dates are automatically extended for 21 days. As of March 19, all Temporary Restraining Orders that will expire within the next 14 days will be extended for up to 30 days.
Request for Orders
Request for Orders have also been extended for 21 days. Minute orders have been issued and notice was given by mail.
Mediation
The Mediation Department is working on continuing mediations. The Court will provide Family Law Bar Associates with additional information regarding mediations once available.
Specifically Set Hearings, Trials, and Mandatory Settlement Conferences
All specifically set hearings and trials are continued for 42 days. However, this will result in most trial calendars being double set. Once the current health crisis has been resolved, each judicial officer will have to adjust the trial settings as appropriate for his or her calendar.
Mandatory Settlement Conferences are also being continued for 42 days.
For the latest information visit the court website directly at www.ventura.courts.ca.gov.
Contact the attorneys at Drury Pullen, A Professional Law Corporation 24 hours a day during this community health crisis either by telephone (805) 879-7523 or via email at [email protected]. Your safety and health is important to us. We are here to help by providing information as we are able and by offering legal services on a remote basis (Zoom, telephone, email, etc.).