L.A. County Courts Amid Firestorm: Business as Usual?
In the midst of the Eaton fire that ravaged Altadena, Begonya De Salvo found herself in a harrowing situation. She was desperately trying to secure shelter for her husband, two children, and five pets, fearing her home might be consumed by the flames. Work was the last thing on her mind as she frantically searched for a hotel room. Amid the chaos, De Salvo forgot to call in sick from her job as a court interpreter.
Legal Community in Turmoil
Despite informing her supervisor about being under an evacuation order, De Salvo faced disciplinary threats from court officials. The following day, L.A. County’s courts attempted to continue operations as usual, even as destructive fires blazed across the region. In the Pasadena courthouse near the Altadena inferno, attorneys fell ill and had to leave work, adding to the chaos.
Downtown, jurors were in a panic as they couldn’t check their phones for evacuation notices during court proceedings. Defendants who had lost their homes or were forced to flee the fires faced the possibility of arrest for missing court appearances. The decision to keep courthouse doors open while fires raged nearby left many in the legal community frustrated and bewildered.
A Call for Flexibility
Ryan Erlich, president of the Assn. of Deputy District Attorneys, expressed bewilderment at the contrasting responses to different events. He questioned why the Pasadena court was left open during a catastrophic natural disaster, while other closures had occurred for events like the Dodgers’ World Series celebration. The court’s spokesperson, Rob Oftring, defended the decision, citing the constitutional duty to ensure timely access to justice.
A Human Perspective
In the midst of the chaos, individuals like public defender Nicole Joens found themselves caught between the legal system and the flames. Clients who missed court dates due to the fires faced arrest warrants, leading to further hardships. Joens, who herself had to evacuate due to the Eaton Fire, highlighted the challenges faced by those already struggling in the aftermath of the disaster.
As a member of the public defender’s union, Joens called for more leniency from court officials and prosecutors given the extraordinary circumstances. She emphasized the need for compassion and understanding during times of crisis, urging a more flexible approach to handling legal matters in the wake of natural disasters.
Through personal stories like Joens’, the impact of the L.A. County courts’ decisions during the firestorm becomes more tangible. The struggles faced by individuals trying to navigate the legal system amidst chaos and uncertainty shed light on the need for empathy and adaptability in times of crisis.
