The Rita B. Garman Vermilion County Courthouse remains open for business, but starting Friday (May 1st) all attorneys and members of the general public entering public spaces of the building are required to wear a face covering. Vermilion County Presiding Judge Thomas M. O’Shaughnessy says all persons inside courtrooms, including courtroom personnel, must also wear a face-covering.
Although it is open, the courthouse will continue operating at a reduced capacity performing only essential and emergency functions through May 29, 2020, unless otherwise ordered by the court. ‘’While keeping the courts available, all proceedings must be consistent with public safety as well as any further policy directives from federal, state and local public health advisories,’’ said Judge O’Shaughnessy. ‘’The Supreme Court has given the Circuit Courts permission to suspend trials and adjust the speedy trial deadlines accordingly. Because jury trials involve the presence in a contained space of multiple people – including parties, lawyers, witnesses, jurors, court personnel, and the judge – postponing them is a prudent decision to guard against transmission of the virus,’’ added Judge O’Shaughnessy.
