SIMI VALLEY : Another Day Added to Courthouse Hours

The hours at the East County Courthouse will be expanded to include another full day, Ventura County Supervisor Vicky Howard announced.

Howard, who has made it her goal to increase county services in the east end of the county, said she was glad that Commissioner John Pattie was adding a third day to his current two-day schedule.

Pattie now hears family law cases on Mondays and Thursdays. Under the new schedule--which goes into effect the week of April 4--he will also hear family law and civil cases on Fridays.

“Adding an extra court day and civil cases in Simi Valley means east county residents will not have to make the long drive to Ventura,” Howard said in a prepared statement.

“I’m pleased we’ve been able to expand our services.”

Howard in 1992 pushed for the addition of a second court commissioner to the East County Courthouse.

Commissioner David Long is also stationed at the Simi Valley facility, and hears Municipal Court cases every weekday except Thursdays, officials said.