OC sheriff ordered by judge to reduce county's jail population by half amid COVID pandemic Replay Video UP NEXT A judge has ordered a 50% reduction in Orange County's jail population to allow for more social distancing among inmates during the coronavirus pandemic. Superior Court Judge Peter J. Wilson issued the order Friday in response to a lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union on behalf of inmates, some of whom have been released, who said they were particularly at-risk due to underlying health conditions. "We are evaluating the order, its impacts and our options for appeal," Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes said in a statement. "If the order stands, it will result in the release of more than 1,800 inmates."