Courthouse again closed because of power failure

SAN JOSE >> Santa Clara County's primary courthouse for drug, family and domestic matters shut down Monday after a power failure caused by a troubled generator — the third time since March that the building has had to close for that reason, officials said.

Court administrators on Monday afternoon announced the relocation of hearings from the Family Justice Center on North First Street to the Downtown Superior Courthouse across the street and to the Hall of Justice on West Hedding Street just over a mile north.

Monday's courthouse closure has been blamed on generator problems that originated March 4, when the Family Justice Center had to close because its main generator failed. That prompted the installation of a backup generator, which failed and caused a 30-minute building closure April 3.

Then on Monday, the same backup generator experienced problems and a closure — for the rest of the day — was announced just before noon. A court spokesperson said the underlying issues are expected to be fixed before the end of the month with the installation of a permanent replacement generator.

“Court Administration apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciates the public's patience and cooperation during this time,” reads a news release Monday afternoon.

Court officials posted signage at the Family Justice Center redirecting people to other locations for hearings on Monday. Services involving the self-help center, clerk's office and “all priority matters” were to be held at the downtown courthouse at 191

North First St.

Emergency restraining orders and emergency custody applications can be submitted as usual by e-file, but physical submissions can be deposited in a dropbox in the courthouse lobby.

The court said domestic violence and gun violence restraining order hearings scheduled Monday would be heard in Department 6.

Drug court hearings involving in-custody defendants in departments 60 and 61 were moved to the Hall of Justice at 190 West Hedding St. in departments 24 and 29, respectively. Department 62 hearings were moved to Department 53.

The court administration expected normal operation of the Family Justice Center on Tuesday. Up-to-date information can be found at the court's website at scscourt.org.