Information Regarding Coronavirus (COVID-19) and Court Operations
Updated: 6/16/2021
The San Diego Superior Court has restored additional in-person access in the wake of updated state and local public health guidance that allows for the relaxing of certain COVID-19 safety protocols. Public access has generally reverted to pre-pandemic levels while many of the recently introduced online and remote options remain available.
In accordance with state and local public health guidance, facial coverings are optional for members of the public who are fully vaccinated. Those who are not yet vaccinated are required to wear facial coverings. Those who are not feeling well, exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 or who are subject to an isolation/quarantine order are asked to stay home and seek assistance online, by telephone or via mail. Individuals seeking emergency services who fall into any of these categories, or unvaccinated individuals who are exempt from wearing a face covering under state guidance, will be assisted outside the courthouse or provided with an alternative accommodation.
Hand sanitizer stations remain widely available in public spaces within the courthouses. As recommended, higher-rated MERV-13 (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) filters have been installed at all facilities to reduce airborne particles and fresh air circulation has been increased throughout the court facilities where possible. The Court continues to implement increased cleaning of all high-touch areas in the courthouses, including door handles and elevator buttons.
This page contains updates regarding the Court’s operations related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Any additional changes or updates will be posted on this page and communicated as appropriate.
The San Diego Superior Court may allow appearances for hearings to be either in-person or remote. Learn more about how to appear for your hearing.
COVID-19 News Releases & Updates
- June 14, 2021 San Diego Superior Court to Resume Additional In-Person Services and Relax Previous COVID-19 Restrictions
- March 23, 2021 San Diego Superior Court Closed Wednesday, March 31, 2021
- March 15, 2021 San Diego Superior Court Expands Electronic Filing for Civil and Probate Matters
- January 27, 2021 San Diego Superior Court to Resume Jury Trials in February
- November 12, 2020 San Diego Superior Court to Maintain Current Operations as San Diego County Moves to the Purple Tier
- November 05, 2020 San Diego Superior Court Resumes Civil Court Trials
- October 05, 2020 San Diego Superior Court Provides Several Options for People with Outstanding Infraction Citations
- Semptember 01, 2020 San Diego Superior Court Resumes Summoning Jurors
- August 11, 2020 San Diego Superior Court Jury Service Dismissed through September 11, 2020
- July 30, 2020 San Diego Superior Court Jury Service Dismissed through August 14, 2020
- July 14, 2020 Virtual Services Offered by the San Diego Superior Court
- July 08, 2020 San Diego Superior Court Jury Service Dismissed through July 31, 2020
- June 26, 2020 San Diego Superior Court Closed Friday, July 3, 2020
- June 24, 2020 San Diego Superior Court Jury Service Dismissed through July 10, 2020
- June 09, 2020 Deadline to Schedule Status Conferences for Independent Calendar Civil Matters is June 24
- May 31, 2020 San Diego Superior Court Closed on Monday, June 1, 2020
- May 22, 2020 San Diego Superior Court to Offer Additional Services Effective Tuesday, May 26, 2020
- May 14, 2020 San Diego Superior Court Announces Re-Scheduling Process for Cases Affected by the COVID-19 Closure
- April 29, 2020 San Diego Superior Court Extends Service Suspension through May 22
- April 03, 2020 San Diego Superior Court to Begin Testing for Videoconference Hearings
- April 01, 2020 Statement from Presiding Judge Alksne: Court Services Suspension Expected to Extend through April 30
- March 26, 2020 Self-Help Assistance Available for San Diego Superior Court Emergency Services During COVID-19 Pandemic
- March 25, 2020 All San Diego Superior Court Juror Service Dismissed through May 22, 2020
- March 24, 2020 San Diego Superior Court Updates COVID Response Information and Adds More Emergency Services
- March 24, 2020 San Diego Superior Court Closed for All Legal Matters on Cesar Chavez Day, March 31, 2020
- March 19, 2020 San Diego Superior Court Updates COVID-19 Response Information
- March 16, 2020 San Diego Superior Court To Reduce Court Operations During Pandemic
- March 16, 2020 San Diego Superior Court Asks Summoned Jurors to Not Report
- March 13, 2020 San Diego Superior Court Sets COVID-19 Procedures
COVID-19 San Diego Superior Court General Orders
- August 06, 2021 General Order 080621-82 In Re: Extension of Time for Criminal Trials
- August 04, 2021 General Order 080421-81 In Re: 60-Day Accelerated Release of Sentenced County Jail Inmates Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic
- July 27, 2021 General Order 072721-80 In Re: Prioritization of Jury Trials Due to COVID-19 Pandemic
- July 15, 2021 General Order 071521-79 In Re: Extension of Time to Hold Preliminary Hearings
- July 8, 2021 General Order 070821-78 In Re: Extension of Time for Criminal Trials
- July 8, 2021 General Order 070821-77 In Re: 60-Day Accelerated Release of Sentenced County Jail Inmates Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic
- June 25, 2021 General Order 010121-41(A) In Re: Suspension of the Superior Court of San Diego County, Local Rules, Rules 2.5.8, 4.4.5, and 5.2.5
- June 16, 2021 General Order 061621-76 In Re: Extension of Time to Hold Preliminary Hearings
- June 14, 2021 General Order 061421-75 In Re: Face-Coverings
- June 14, 2021 General Order 061421-74 In Re: Rescission of Certain General Orders Related to the COVID-19 Pandemic
- June 7, 2021 General Order 060721-73 In Re: Extension of Time for Criminal Trials
- June 4, 2021 General Order 060321-72 in RE: 60-Day Accelerated Release of Sentenced County Jail Inmates Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic
- February 03, 2021 General Order 020321-56 In Re: Extension of Time for Criminal Trials
- January 01, 2021 General Order 010121-47 In Re: Amendment to Local Rule 3.1.3
- January 01, 2021 General Order 010121-44 In Re: Prioritization of Jury Trials Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic
- January 01, 2021 General Order 010121-43 In Re: Extension of Time to Enroll in and/or Submit Proof of Completion of Public Service Program (PSP)
- January 01, 2021 General Order 010121-42 In Re: Adoption of Countywide Temporary Emergency Modification to the Bail Schedule
- January 01, 2021 General Order 010121-36 In Re: Assignment of Cases Seeking Writ of Habeas Corpus Challenging Certain Isolation or Quarantine Orders
Click here for previous COVID-19-related General Orders
Court of Appeal Orders
- April 30, 2020 Court of Appeal Misc. Order 043020 In Re: Extensions Due to Court Closure
- April 16, 2020 Court of Appeal Misc. Order 041620 In Re: Extensions Due to Court Closure
- April 15, 2020 Court of Appeal Implementation Order for the Renewed Order Pursuant to Rule 8.66 of the California Rules of Court
- April 09, 2020 Court of Appeal Implementation Order for Order Authorizing Retroactive Application of Amended Rule 8.66 of the California Rules of Court
- March 18, 2020 Court of Appeal Misc. Order 031820 In Re: Extensions due to Court Closure
Judicial Council of California Orders and Information
- Emergency Rules Related to COVID-19
- April 29, 2020 Statewide Emergency Order by Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye, Chief Justice of California and Chair of the Judicial Council
- March 30, 2020 Statewide Order By Hon. Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye, Chief Justice of California, Extending Time Periods in Penal Code and Code of Civil Procedure
- March 23, 2020 Statewide Order By Hon. Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye, Chief Justice of California, Staying All Trials for a Period of 60 Days, Extending the Five Year Civil Case Dismissal Statute and Relaxing the Rules of Court for Adoption of Local Rules
Please click here for COVID-19 updates from the Judicial Council of California.