Certain crimes are not being prosecuted like before. Out-of-custody trials are being postponed. Defendants are being released from jail. We anticipate the effects of this emergency will be long-lasting.
Our law firm was banned from working at our offices as a result of the Governor's emergency order.
Since March 24, only our office manager has been allowed to work at our office. Nevertheless, our three attorneys continue to appear in court for our clients, we have full access to our office technology, and we engage in video consultations among ourselves and with our clients. We continue to accept new clients, and we are equipped to serve all clients who come into our care.
Our trial courts are postponing out-of-custody cases for months at a time.
In an effort to keep people safe, the courts are postponing out-of-custody trials and pretrial court appearances. In the face of the COVID-19 emergency, our courts do not desire to have jurors, defendants, witnesses, attorneys, and others in the courthouses if it can be avoided. We are in good contact with the courts, the prosecutors, and our clients, to make sure that our cases can be postponed without damage to those whom we represent.
Where possible, the courts are willing to release defendants who do not pose a risk of flight.
During this emergency, we have observed that our courts are willing to release some defendants who might otherwise remain in custody. If we can show that the client has a place to stay, that the client is not a flight risk, and that the client does not pose a danger to the community, we have found the courts are willing to grant release from custody. In these times, there is heightened concern about the dangers associated with incarcerating people whose health may be compromised by the COVID-19 emergency. We can leverage this concern to getting freedom for our clients.
Even after the COVID-19 emergency is over, the impacts on our legal system will persist.
Once the emergency is over, there will be an enormous backlog of cases heading to trial. In similar situations in the past, we have found that this can cause the courts and prosecutors to be more willing to offer favorable deals to our clients. We will utilize all circumstances to accomplish favorable outcomes for our clients.
