Amid the worldwide Cornoavirus pandemic, California and most other states in the US have been under some version of “Stay at Home” orders in an effort to “flatten the curve” of the virus. The novel (so named because it has never been seen in human populations before) coronavirus was first noted in Wuhan, China in late December but soon was being found in individuals across the globe.
In California, the first resident with the new virus was identified on Jan. 26, 2020. But by the end of March, the virus had spread to more than 8,000 individuals in the state.
The Evolution of the “Stay at Home” Order in California
As cases of the novel coronavirus, officially called SARS-CoV-2, increased throughout the State of California, local and state government officials began declaring a “State of Emergency” to deal with the outbreak. Soon, orders to “Shelter in Place” or “Stay at Home” would begin to be issued, first locally, and then state-wide.
March 9, 2020 – Santa Clara County banned public gathering over 1,000 people for three weeks
March 12, 2020 – Governor Gavin Newsom banned public gatherings over 250 people and social gatherings over 10. This ban was to last until the end of March.
March 15, 2020 – Governor Newson asked for voluntary closure of all bars and asked seniors over 65 and individuals with underlying health conditions to voluntarily shelter at home.
March 16, 2020 – Almeda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo, and Santa Clara counties issued a legal order for their residents to “shelter in place” for the next three weeks.
March 17, 2020 – Three additional counties, Monterey, San Benito, and Sonoma, issued “shelter in place” orders, while Sacramento County issued a “stay-at-home” directive which advised staying home, but did not make it a legal requirement.
March 18, 2020 – Four more counties, Yolo, Napa, San Luis Obispo, and Mendocino, as well as the city of Fresno, issued “shelter in place” orders and Sacramento upgraded their “stay-at-home” directive to a “shelter in place” order.
March 19, 2020 – Governor Newsom issued a state-wide “Stay-at-Home” order. The order is scheduled to expire on May 3, and will be replaced by a “phasing in” of non-essential businesses designed to slowly return Californians to “normal life.”
April 1, 2020 – The California Department of Education announced that all schools in the state would likely remain closed through the end of the school year.
What Does The “Stay-At-Home” Order Mean?
According to the official California Coronavirus response website, the stay at home order means that all individuals MUST stay at home, except to attend “essential jobs” or to obtain essential needs.
What are “essential jobs”?
Jobs in California that are considered essential include healthcare, emergency services, food production, agriculture, energy, water, wastewater, transportation, communications and IT, government operations, critical manufacturing, financial services (including bail bonds), chemical and hazardous materials, and defense industry. Individuals working in these sectors are permitted to travel to and from work but are required to abide by “social distancing” guidelines and wear a mask or cloth face coverings while out in public.
What are “essential” needs?
Under the “Stay at Home” order, residents of California are only permitted to leave their homes for specific activities, including attending essential jobs, getting groceries, obtaining medical care, providing assistance to elderly or disabled people, to exercise in their local neighborhoods, or to obtain veterinary care for their pets. While engaging in any of these permitted activities outside the home, individuals must still engage in social distancing, meaning that they may not come within 6 feet of other people who are not members of their household.
Can I Get A Ticket If I Don’t Stay Home?
During the state-wide “Stay at Home” order, individuals in California can be cited for being outside their homes for “non-essential” activities. “Non-essential” businesses that continue to operate despite the “Stay at Home” order may also receive tickets and fines.
On Saturday, April 11, ABC News in Santa Cruz reported that seven individuals who traveled from Freemont to visit the city of Santa Cruz were issued $1,000 fines for violating the “Stay at Home” order.
In San Jose, at least 56 businesses received citations and fines for violating the “Stay at Home” order. The businesses included gyms, hair salons, and restaurants.
A woman from San Jose was given a ticket for violating the stay-at-home order when she took a drive to Sea Cliff Beach to take photos.
Over a single weekend in mid-April, hundreds of visitors to beaches in Pacifica, California were cited for violating the “Stay at Home” order.
To avoid being fined for violations, individuals in California must abide by the “Stay at Home” order, including only leaving the house for essential needs and engaging in exercise and outdoor activities close to their home. Violating the “stay at home” order may result in getting a ticket.
Can I go to jail during the “Stay At Home” order?
As a part of the efforts to reduce jail crowding and prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the prison system, many inmates who were being held on charges that had not been tried were released to shelter at home with their families, rather than in the jails. In addition to releasing many defendants with misdemeanor charges, the state suspended the bail requirement for all but 23 charges misdemeanor and felony charges.
For all other charges, there is no bail required to be released from jail, until the Coronavirus pandemic event has ended or the stay-at-home order has been lifted, thanks to emergency orders issued on April 6.
What Charges Still Have Bail Requirements During the Coronavirus Pandemic?
While the emergency orders of April 6 eliminated bail for most misdemeanor and low-level felony offenses, bail is still required for 13 offenses and enhancements. If a person is charged with any of these offenses or enhancements, they will still be required to remain behind bars or pay the entire amount of bail required on the standard bail schedule for the listed offenses.
Offenses that still require bail in California during the coronavirus:
- PC 1192.7(c) – Serious felonies as defined in PC 1192(c) or PC 667.5(c) – These felonies include murder, rape, arson, and other violent crimes.
- PC 69– Threats against a police officer or resisting a law enforcement officer in the performance of their duty.
- PC 166(c)(1) – Violating a Protective Order
- PC 136.1 – Falsifying evidence, bribing, influencing or intimidating witnesses
- PC 262 – Crimes against persons, including rape, sexual assault, and child sex abuse.
- PC 243(e)(1) or PC 273.5 - Domestic violence, spousal abuse or battery, or corporal punishment.
- PC 273.6– Violating a Protective Order
- PC 422– Making criminal threats, if the violation is a felony.
- PC 646.9 – Stalking or Harassment
- PC 290(c) – Failing to Register as a Sex Offender
- VC 23152 or 23153– Driving Under the Influence of Drugs or Alcohol
- PC 463 – Looting Violations
- PC 29800– Possession of a firearm by a felon.
For all other charges, most defendants will be released OR, on their Own Recognizance, and required to appear for hearings and court proceedings once the pandemic has passed.
Bail During the “Stay-At-Home” Order
f you or someone you love is arrested during the stay-at-home order, you need someone on your side that can help you get out of jail and get back home to your family as soon as possible. Justice Bail Bonds is your go-to bail bond service during the COVID-19 crisis! Give the experienced and compassionate ladies at Justice Bail Bonds a call if you need assistance getting a family member or loved one out of jail during this trying time.
Justice Bail Bonds has been serving the residents of Riverside County for more than 20 years. They have locations near every jail and detention center and can have a licensed agent by your side in no time.
For bail bonds during the “Stay-At-Home” order, call Justice Bail Bonds at (951) 445-4155.
