The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors on Aug. 3 called for stronger health and safety measures to limit the spread of COVID-19 in courthouses.

“Enhancing our existing health and safety measures is critical, not only to slow the spread of COVID-19, but also to protect the constitutional and human rights of everyone entering our courthouses, including jurors, counsel and defendants,” said Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, 3nd District, principal author of a motion. “Affording due process should not unnecessarily expose individuals attending mandatory court procedures to serious health risks, especially when those risks can be avoided or mitigated.”

The motion called for a report back in 14 days with recommendations on a pre-screening process, including temperature checks and symptom and exposure questions, before entering courthouses; hourly patrols to ensure compliance with masking and social distancing protocols; public health inspections of lockup spaces in every courthouse; and the feasibility of rapid testing for incarcerated individuals and potential jurors. The board also plans to consider expanding video conferencing to allow incarcerated individuals access to attorneys, clinicians and the courts.

“Court personnel, jurors, lawyers and defendants are all entitled to a courthouse workplace that is as safe as we can possibly make it,” said Supervisor Sheila Kuehl, 3rd District, who co-authored the motion. “With [this] motion, we are insisting that health and safety procedures be put in place so that all can be protected from exposure to COVID-19 in our courthouses.”  

When courts reopened on July 6 after weeks of closures prompted by COVID-19, health and safety measures endorsed by the L.A. County Board of Supervisors were implemented. Additional measures may now be necessary, however, given a recent surge in infections, Ridley-Thomas and Kuehl said.

Inmates with pending test results are not transported to court. However, difficulties have arisen in identifying individuals in custody who are COVID-19 positive and are asymptomatic prior to transportation to court.

For information, visit bos.lacounty.gov.