California chief justice extends statutory deadlines for hearings and trials

State Issues Covid-19 California

On March 30, the chief justice of California issued an order that extended statutory deadlines for preliminary hearings, arraignments and certain civil and criminal trials. The order, which was issued under authority granted to the chief justice in Executive Order N-38-20, extends the time from which a defendant charged with a felony must be taken before a magistrate judge from two to seven days, extends the time period for holding preliminary examinations of such defendants from 10 to 30 days, and extends certain statutory deadlines for holding criminal and civil trials by 60 days.