California Courts Close Amid Violence and Vandalism
Many California courts, just emerging from pandemic-related closures, will close again on Monday in the aftermath of days of civil unrest tied to George Floyd's death.
June 01, 2020 at 01:31 AM
3 minute read
Many California courts, just emerging from pandemic-related closures, will close again on Monday in the aftermath of days of civil unrest tied to George Floyd's death in police custody in Minneapolis on Memorial Day.
Los Angeles County Superior Court Presiding Judge Kevin Brazile announced Sunday night that all 38 courthouses in his jurisdiction will close Monday "out of an abundance of caution."
"This is not a decision I make lightly," Brazile said in a statement. "But public safety is always our paramount concern."
The Supreme Court announced, too, that its clerk's office will be closed on Monday for in-person filings due to a curfew imposed by the city of San Francisco and "continued civil unrest." Due to the closures, the court has tolled by one day any act required or permitted by in-person filing.
Santa Clara County Superior Court also announced Sunday that all courthouses will be closed Monday after the city of San Jose announced a 5 p.m. curfew that will extend through the week.
The closures follow several days of peaceful protests that gave way to nighttime violence and looting in cities of all sizes and locations throughout the state.
A Federal Protective Service contract security officer was killed in a drive-by shooting outside the federal courthouse in Oakland Friday night. Family members identified the officer as Dave Patrick Underwood, 53. A second officer was also shot at the scene and was in critical condition Saturday night, according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
Vandals on Saturday night defaced the Sacramento building that houses the Third District Court of Appeal, spray-painting the exterior granite walls and statues. The Second District Court of Appeal building in Los Angeles was also vandalized on Friday and Saturday nights. The court's first floor was breached and windows were broken and walls covered with graffiti, according to a Judicial Council spokesman.
The unrest has affected federal courts, too. Chief Judge Kimberly Mueller ordered all courthouses in California's 34-county Eastern District closed on Monday as a safety precaution.
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