10:00 PM PDT on Thursday, March 13, 2008
New criminal case plan to take effect Monday
The Riverside County Superior Court will begin a new criminal case management plan on Monday aimed at streamlining the system and eventually reducing the court's backlog of pending cases.
Recent cases will be committed to the new plan. Older cases will continue on their current track.
The new plan takes effect in all the major courthouses -- Riverside, Indio and the Southwest Justice Center in French Valley.
One of the most visible changes will be a new type of department in each courthouse where a judge, prosecutors and defense attorneys can review cases for possible resolution before trial.
Dates for trials and preliminary hearings will be more tightly controlled. The plan was created after months of work by judges, defense and prosecution attorneys and others involved in the justice system.
--Richard K. De Atley