Justice on Hold: The Impact of COVID-19 on California’s Court System
Barbara Franklin, a 91-year-old woman from Riverside County, sits on the edge of her hospital bed, the weight of impending doom blanketing the room. Diagnosed with mesothelioma—terminal cancer caused by asbestos exposure—she clings to a flickering hope: a day in court to seek restitution from those who wronged her. An imminent trial was fast-tracked just before the pandemic struck, but like so many things in life, that hope has been snatched away. Delays, exacerbated by COVID-19, mean that her fight for justice may end before it begins.
A Crisis Within a Crisis
The pandemic has thrust California’s court system into a state of disarray. Court cases, both civil and criminal, have languished in a backlog that has spiraled into a crisis. According to recent statistics, 1.4 million fewer cases were resolved in the state from March to August last year compared to the same period in 2019.
“We are witnessing a collapse in timely justice, opening floodgates for injustice to breed,” says Dr. Emilia Conway, a legal scholar at Stanford University. “The pandemic has not just disrupted lives but has compromised fundamental rights.”
A Justice System at the Breaking Point
As court proceedings moved to virtual platforms, the ideal of swift justice turned into prolonged uncertainty. With over 400 emergency orders issued, the court’s operational landscape altered drastically:
- Remote hearings became the norm, with uneven access across different counties.
- Delays in criminal trials have left many defendants languishing in pretrial detention.
- Victims like Franklin and others seeking civil justice find their paths to accountability obstructed.
Citing a study by the California Bar Association, attorney Andrew Kwan remarks, “The systemic backlog is unprecedented. In some counties, backlog statistics show a rise of over 70% in pending civil and criminal cases.”
Invisible Costs of Delay
According to experts, the ramifications of these delays stretch far beyond courtroom walls. Family units fracture as financial instability sets in, impacting mental health and community well-being. In Los Angeles County alone, the judicial process for individuals seeking restraining orders—a lifeline in abusive situations—has become more complex and arduous.
“What used to take hours now stretches into days or weeks,” explains Julianna Lee from the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles. “Our clients—often the most vulnerable—feel the repercussions not just in legal delays but also in emotional distress.
Balancing Health and Justice
The courts have tried to strike a balance between safeguarding public health and ensuring access to justice. However, this balancing act is riddled with challenges:
- Remote proceedings fail to accommodate those with limited technology access.
- Vital evictions and family law cases have resulted in desperate pleas for justice falling on deaf ears.
- As many courts impose their own local rules, the experience across California’s judicial system becomes a patchwork of inconsistent access and service.
Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye advocates for flexibility in trial and appellate courts, but she also warns: “Navigating constitutional rights while managing a health crisis is a formidable task.”
The Continuing Fight for Justice
John Cunningham, an 85-year-old man awaiting trial for the alleged neglect of his deceased wife in an assisted living facility, shares a similar lament. Despite the emotional urgency, Cunningham’s case has faced a series of delays, including several last-minute cancellations of trial dates.
“This is about justice for my wife, not just a lawsuit,” he says, his voice heavy with loss. Kathryn Stebner, his attorney, notes that “the pandemic’s impact is devastating, especially for our aging population. We need immediate reform before the window for justice closes.”
Differential Access to Justice
As the system falters, disparities become starkly evident. While larger metropolitan areas like Los Angeles initiate remote platforms like LACourtConnect to manage cases, rural communities struggle with inadequate technological infrastructure. Brandon Lawrence echoes this sentiment, stating that many clients are left in limbo without proper internet access. “They’d prefer to appear in person rather than risk losing their housing,” he shares.
What Lies Ahead?
As state leaders grapple with these issues, proposed reforms seek to address systemic backlogs. A recent suggestion to allocate $25 million to bolster court resources aims to tackle the swelling caseloads. However, the road to reform will undoubtedly be long and fraught with challenges.
“Justice delayed is indeed justice denied. Each day’s delay further isolates vulnerable populations from their rights,” says Dr. Emerson Lake, a policy analyst for the California Legislative Analyst’s Office. “We need to prioritize systemic changes that streamline processes as we emerge from this global crisis.”
For individuals like Barbara Franklin, the fight against time has become as critical as the battle against illness. As she lies, frail and awaiting her chance for resolution, the stakes are incomprehensibly high. The narrative of justice continues to unfold against the backdrop of an unrelenting pandemic, and still, the question remains: will California courts reclaim their duty to serve justice in a timely manner?
