LAKE COUNTY — The Lake County Superior Court will have a new calendar structure starting later this summer.
The changes taking effect Aug. 6 include shifting all felony and misdemeanor criminal matters to the Lake County Courthouse in Lakeport and moving Judge Stephen O. Hedstrom from the Clearlake branch.
“What we accomplish by consolidating criminal in Lakeport is that we are better able to cope with the staffing reductions that we have already endured,” Mary E. Smith, court executive officer, stated this week.
“We need to have the majority of our staff in one place so we are more able to cope with the overall reduction in positions, as well as illnesses, vacations, etc.,” she added.
Hedstrom will move into one of the four courtrooms in the Lakeport courthouse, Smith stated. Court Commissioner Vincent T. Lechowick will hear all small claims, unlawful detainers, traffic and Title IV-D child support matters on Mondays and Tuesdays in the courtroom at the Clearlake branch.
The Clearlake facility will remain available for long-cause matters as needed Wednesday through Friday, and court officials hope to expand self-help services there, Smith stated.
All hearings and filings for felony and misdemeanor matters will take place in Lakeport.
Some critics argue the changes present transportation issues and other concerns for south county residents involved in criminal cases.
Smith stated the court received four to five public comments “expressing a wide range of opinions” about the proposal during the response period, which ended last week.
It”s unclear whether the new court structure will prevent further staff reductions, according to Smith.
“We are still waiting for budget information so there is no definitive answer on layoffs, but we are optimistic that the changes we have made will allow us to maintain our current staffing levels,” she stated.
