LOS ANGELES (KNX) — Beginning Monday, Los Angeles County courts will be back to business as normal with criminal and civil trials set to fully resume, Presiding Judge Eric C. Taylor announced Wednesday.
The continued decline of the county's COVID cases was behind Taylor's decision, but he said the court's mandatory face mask order will remain in effect.
"The Court is working with its justice partners and members of the Civil bar to resume full trial operations now that COVID trends are improving in LA County after the Omicron surge," Taylor said. "Throughout the pandemic, we have prioritized safe access to justice – and will continue to do so. I remain in close contact with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health to assess any emerging virus threats. However, while virus spread and hospitalizations are declining, it is time to restore full trial operations."
The decision follows three emergency orders issued last month that authorized temporary delays in criminal jury trials and preliminary hearings amid the county's COVID surge, City News Service reported.
