Plumbing issues force downtown court to close early Thursday

A downtown Los Angeles courthouse was shut down shortly after noon Thursday after plumbing issues prevented water from flowing through the building, officials said.

An issue involving water pressure made water unavailable on some floors of the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center, according to court spokeswoman Mary Hearn.

On short order, the building’s ground-floor cafeteria was converted into two courtrooms for L.A. Superior Court Supervising Judge Charlaine Olmedo and Judge Victor H. Greenberg, Hearn said. The two judges ordered all matters on the calendar for Thursday to be handled on Friday -- with some exceptions.

Court proceedings with urgent deadlines were transferred to nearby courts, said district attorney spokeswoman Jane Robison.

Arraignments were moved to Central Arraignments Court on Bauchet Street. Select felony and custody cases were sent to the Metropolitan Courthouse on Hill Street, Hearn said.

Officials expect plumbing repairs to be completed in time for the courthouse to resume operations on Friday.

In addition to housing more than 50 courtrooms, the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center is the headquarters for the L.A. County district attorney and public defender.

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