Alameda County Judge Orders Prisoner Release: Coronavirus

ALAMEDA COUNTY, CA — The release of 247 prisoners from Santa Rita Jail in Dublin was ordered Thursday by the Superior Court of Alameda County in response to the state of emergency created by the novel coronavirus pandemic.

The general order was issued by Presiding Judge Tara Desautels "upon the joint request of the Alameda County Sheriff, District Attorney, and the Alameda County defense bar, including the Public Defender," officials said in a news release, and those released will have their sentences deemed as served.

The court has updated its COVID-19 website, with more detailed information about which of its services will be available during its public closure, currently running through April 7. The closure ending date will be reassessed in view of Gov. Gavin Newsom's statewide shelter in place order made Thursday, court officials said.

The court is still working on its in-custody arraignment calendar "within the limitations of the court's COVID-19-related staffing and health and safety constraints."

Starting on Friday, "the Court will attempt to operate four arraignment calendars at two court locations (the Wiley W. Manuel Courthouse in Oakland and the East County Hall of Justice in Dublin) on Tuesdays and Fridays each week during the closure period," according to the news release.

Copyright 2020 by Bay City News, Inc. —Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited.