RULE 17
                              EMERGENCY CLOSURES


  1)   The Judge, Commissioner, and/or Judicial Services Director may declare an
       emergency closure of the Court when s/he deems that severe weather conditions,
       natural disaster, or other emergency so requires.   The Court will publicize
       the closure as soon as practical, file a written administrative order closing
       the Court, and notify the Office of the Administrator for the Courts as soon as
       practical, pursuant to GR 21.

  2)   While the emergency persists, no hearings will be held except that the
       Judge, Commissioner, or Judge Pro Tem of the Court will, if circumstances
       permit, determine probable cause, set release conditions, and otherwise
       adjudicate required first appearance hearings for Defendants who are in
       custody.  Such hearings may be held by telephone if deemed necessary due to the
       emergency.

  3)   Following an emergency closure, the Judge, Commissioner, and/or Judicial
       Services Director may declare the Court to re-open when the severe weather
       conditions, natural disaster or other emergency allows.  The Court will
       publicize the re-opening as soon as practical.

  4)   All parties other than the City shall contact the Clerk's Office within
       two (2) business days after the re-opening of the Court has been publicly
       announced to reschedule any hearings that were not held due to emergency
       closure.  Failure to do so may be deemed a failure to appear.

  5)   This rule shall only apply to the business of the Court, and shall not be
       construed to govern activities of the other branches of City government.


Amended Effective September 1, 2008