The Rancho (West Valley) criminal courthouse has been very accommodating to the public during the Covid-19 pandemic by holding hearings outside the courthouse. The San Bernardino courthouse has also maintained outside court, but with fewer benefits. The intent was to keep people feeling safe outdoors while not being confined to a small courtroom as well as to handle a large calendar that would naturally occur after such a traumatic time. It is unknown how long outside court will continue.
The Rancho court has been the only courthouse in San Bernardino County to allow same-day walk-in cases which is very convenient to the public, if the matter can be handled immediately without having to return to court another day. Both Victorville and San Bernardino courthouses require setting an appearance from the court and then later having to come back another day to appear on the case. Both San Bernardino and Victorville allow the public to set up their hearing by telephone as well, but calling the courthouse still requires a good amount of time to accomplish this task. In Rancho Cucamonga, same-day walk-ins allow the public, in most instances, to only have to take off one day of work to appear and handle their court matters without having to return and miss another workday.
In addition, the Rancho court has been open to recalling warrants and cases for the entire county, saving the public the need to have to drive to Victorville, San Bernardino or other courthouses to address their criminal cases.
Let's keep our fingers crossed that the Rancho Cucamonga court continues to offer these conveniences to the public.