CORONAVIRUS / COVID-19 LEGAL UPDATE

TO:        All Interested Parties
FROM:  Law Office of Trevor G. Jackson

We hope this message finds you and your loved ones healthy and well. To follow is some guidance as we continue mitigating the impacts caused by COVID-19.
 
First, let’s take a step back and appreciate how our society is doing something quite extraordinary right now. We, as a whole, are coming together to protect the sanctity of human life. The best measure by which society may provide is based on what we provide for society. Through our individual sacrifices, we show the strength, resilience, and common decency intrinsic to the values and principles on which our democracy was founded. As we collectively withstand COVID-19, remember: this too shall pass. By exercising common decency and doing our part, history will view this as a time when Americans, yet again, stand united. 
 
With the above in mind, we are updating you on the court status in the San Francisco Bay Area during this very dynamic situation. At present, all California Bay Area Superior Courts have implemented emergency rules which delay/defer nearly all court proceedings, and public access is barred. It’s recommended that you check your Superior Court’s website for the emergency orders now in effect, as each court has its own policies.
 
As of March 17, 2020, the Superior Court of California, County of Napa, has restricted general public access. Except for in-custody criminal actions and certain family law proceedings, all matters have been stayed through and including April 10, 2020. Given the most recent shelter-in-place orders issued by Napa County (03/18/20) and California (03/19/20), it remains an open question whether normal court activities will resume after April 10, 2020.
 
This means that all “non-emergency” divorce, support and custody (“Family Law”) hearings will not be heard during the COVID-19 lockdown period. But if you have a Family Law matter in Napa that is emergency in nature, remedies should remain available. Examples of such matters may include emergency child custody orders, restraining orders, and emergency support proceedings.
 
While our office is closed to the general public, we remain in operation. Clients are welcome to email or call per the standard practice. We have sanitation, social distancing, and further risk-mitigation measures in place should an in-person meeting be required. We are not accepting any walk-ins and are offering telephonic consultations for new clients using the following link: https://www.napalawoffice.com/contact.html
 
We will keep you posted on any further updates. Again, thank you for your continued service to society. We strive to do the same, and will help you navigate through this.