Pastor at San Jose church avoids jail time for holding in-person services

Thursday, January 21, 2021
SAN JOSE, Calif. (KGO) -- On Thursday, the Santa Clara County Superior Court ruled a South Bay church pastor threatened with jail time for holding in-person services will remain free for now.

Robert Tyler, an attorney for Calvary Chapel in San Jose, made the announcement on the court steps just after 5 p.m. following the contempt hearing.

RELATED: San Jose church fighting back against county as pastor faces fines, jail time for holding indoor services
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Santa Clara County sued Calvary Chapel Pastor Mike McClure and his church to stop it from hosting indoor services without face masks amid a worsening COVID-19 pandemic.

"The county has expressly said that they're only looking for monetary sanctions," Tyler says. "Not looking to put Pastor McClure or Pastor Carson Atherley in jail, thank God. "

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Dozens of members from the South Bay congregation turned out to the courthouse to support their pastor.



The church still faces more than $1 million in administrative fines for a slew of violations including hosting indoor services without masks for months.

RELATED: San Jose church repeatedly fined for defying health order received $340K in taxpayer money

According to county officials, so far no fines have been paid.

The case will be back in court on Jan. 28 for closing arguments.



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