A day after Gov. Gavin Newsom granted California’s chief justice expansive powers to change court rules across the state, the Judicial Council on Saturday urged Tani Cantil-Sakauye to temporarily extend criminal procedural deadlines to help courts deal with pandemic-related closures and limited calendars.

The council, meeting in an emergency session, unanimously endorsed extending the time for a defendant to be arraigned from 48 hours to seven days. Courts will also be allowed to delay preliminary hearings and criminal trials under the proposal approved by the council.