Ventura County courts to allow appearances by telephone

VENTURA COUNTY, Calif. - Ventura County courts have implemented a new system for court appearances: by telephone. Criminal cases can now be handled over the phone.

The Ventura County Criminal Defense Bar Association said that Criminal Court Presiding Judge Gilbert Romero put the policy into place to create a safer criminal justice environment amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The goal is to keep clients and the public home, rather than ordering them to be in a crowded courthouse.

The policy will also allow attorneys on the cases to appear by phone, to reduce exposure and maintain safe social distancing.