This resolution urges the San Francisco Superior Court to prioritize criminal trials and open more courtrooms to protect the rights of defendants and victims to a speedy trial. It has been passed by the city legislature.
Resolution urging the San Francisco Superior Court to prioritize assignment of criminal trials and safely open more courtrooms to ensure that the speedy trial rights of both defendants and victims are upheld.
How it got here
The legislation originated from concerns about the backlog of criminal trials in San Francisco due to pandemic-related court closures and delays.
Mayor London Breed declared a state of emergency in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to the closure of all criminal trial courtrooms in San Francisco.
The Court reopened four courtrooms for felony trials at the Hall of Justice after the shelter-in-place order was lifted.
The Court reported a backlog of 437 felony cases, with 248 defendants in custody past their statutory trial date due to continued delays.
Supervisor Ronen introduced a resolution urging the San Francisco Superior Court to prioritize criminal trials and safely open more courtrooms to uphold speedy trial rights.
The committee amended the resolution and recommended it for adoption by the Board of Supervisors.
The Board of Supervisors adopted the resolution urging the Court to prioritize criminal trials and open additional courtrooms.
The Clerk of the Board transmitted the adopted resolution to the presiding judge of the Superior Court.
Reconstructed from attached documents & the official record
