Riverside Superior Court to begin summoning jurors in mid-June

Due to constitutional requirements, the Riverside Superior Court will return to summoning jurors for criminal trials starting in mid-June.

Court officials say they expect a limited number of trials will start at that time. Cases with constitutional and statutory timeframes approaching will have priority.

The court will implement various protocols to protect the health and safety of jurors. Protocols include:

• Requiring face coverings for all who enter into a court facility;
• Reconfiguring jury assembly rooms, courtrooms and lobbies to allow for social distancing;
• Calling in jurors only when a case is ready to proceed to trial and at staggered time intervals to reduce the number of jurors reporting at the same time;
• Having prospective jurors complete an online availability form prior to reporting for service in order to minimize the number of jurors reporting to the courtroom for jury selection; and
• Implementing heightened cleaning protocols that include daily sanitation of common and high-traffic areas.

If you receive a summons in the mail, do not discard it. If you are summoned on or after June 15, 2020, you can check your status or request a postponement through one of the following options:
• Log on to the Juror Web Portal at:
https://www.riverside.courts.ca.gov/GeneralInfo/JuryInfo/juror-portal.php
• Use the automated phone system: (951) 275-5076 or (760) 342-5264

Riverside County's court system, like so many others around the United States, was significantly impacted by the coronavirus outbreak. Since March, 8 of the county's 14 courthouses were completely closed. The locations that remained open for limited emergency matters only and with reduced public service hours.

The closure of Riverside Superior Courthouses was set to expire on May 29, however, on Thursday, the closure was extended to June 5.

For options on how to conduct court business remotely, please visit the home page of our website at www.riverside.courts.ca.gov