GARDEN GROVE  will join in amicus brief in support of Sheriff Don Barnes’ challenge to a court order to release or transfer inmates from county jails to reduce the threat of coronavirus spread (Flickr/JFF)

UPDATE: The Garden Grove City Council on Tuesday voted 7-0 to join the amicus brief challenging a court ruling required the release or transfer of inmates from Orange County jails because of coronavirus concerns.

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A special meeting of the Garden Grove City Council has been called for Tuesday at noon to consider filing an “amicus” brief as a follow-up to a letter opposing a court order to release up to 1,800 inmates from county jails.

The council has already sent a letter objecting to the decision by Superior Court Judge Peter Wilson who made the ruling on a lawsuit by the American Civil Liberties Union regarding coronavirus exposure in county lockups.

An amicus brief would be a further step, joining several other Orange County cities in Sheriff Don Barnes’ challenge of the order. Amicus literally means “friend of the court,” and it refers to a person or entity with strong interest in a legal matter, but who is not directly a party to the action. The Westminster City Council voted to join in the brief at a special meeting on Monday afternoon.

The council will meet in webconference.